I am writing to add my support to your campaign to safe guard the future of the Bromley Youth Music Trust. For five years my niece has played in the Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra, and worked with BYMT's peripatetic teachers for five years before that; the daughter of one of my colleagues also plays in the Band. They and their families are devastated at the thought of losing a vital part of the girls' lives.

You quote the Councillor as saying "it must expand its fundraising activities" (translated: "find its money somewhere else"). Already the young musicians bring home those prizes, and make and sell recordings - what else does the Council went them to do? And in Peter Mawson they have an inspired and inspiring director has the Council no respect for such a person, or does it want to break his heart?

Musical training - especially in an instrumental ensemble - teaches discipline and teamwork, valuable qualities whether or not the children go on into the profession. It gives them something to do, a goal to work for (not forgetting the applause at the end of the performance), and helps them to realise that life is more than watching videos and holidays are more than baking on beaches. And it keeps them off the street? in an environment which is both supervised and challenging.

As if further proof of the Trust's value were needed, there are the four recruits to the National Youth Orchestra. Every year I hear this amazing orchestra at the Proms, playing the music of composers such as Mahler, Schoenberg and Messaien with an energy and enthusiasm which professional orchestras must envy. If the BYMT and other such organisations disappear, where will the NYO find its players? And what will it mean for the future of orchestral playing in this country? I have sung in choirs attached to the big London orchestras, whose players have a worldwide reputation for top-class musicianship and reliability in often less than ideal circumstances. Organisations like the BYMT gave them their start.

All power to your campaign, and thank you for giving the individual a voice; maybe if enough individual voices speak to them, the Councillors will admit there's a case for keeping the BYMT rather than throwing it away.

Hazel Morgon, GGSM

Rickstones Road

Witham

Essex

December 5, 2001 02:06