STONEBRIDGE

MUSIC COURSES

January 2010

 

Dear Parents, Colleagues and Friends of IAPS/Stonebridge Music Courses

 

It is with the greatest regret that I have to inform you that the music courses planned for this year will not now be able to take place. Sadly the take-up of places to date has fallen so far short of viable numbers for all courses that I can see no realistic prospect of being able to run any of them. It is only fair on host schools, musicians, pastoral staff and of course parents and children to take the decision to cancel at this stage, rather than waiting any longer in the hope that the position might change.

I know that this will be a great disappointment to the young musicians who have already signed up. For me it is very far from the outcome that I had hoped for when I took the gamble to keep the former IAPS courses going single-handedly.

 

This lack of response is despite two mailings to all prep schools with letters, posters and brochures as well as to some 450 senior schools and more than 750 individual families. I have had a two-page spread article in Attain magazine, advertised in Music Teacher (including their summer schools supplement) and on the Schoolstrader website and have sent many emails and made phone calls to try and promote what I believe to be a thoroughly worthwhile resource for musical children.

 

The number of applications stands at less than half of that required for most courses: as well as not being viable financially, to run courses at this level would be an unsatisfactory experience both musically and socially. Stonebridge Music will therefore now cease trading after just one season of courses.

 

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have supported this venture and my sincere regrets to those who were looking forward to courses this year. A particular apology to all those I have encouraged to apply most recently in a final attempt to make it all work. I am very sorry to have to let you down at this stage and I wish you all every success in the future with your music.

 

With best wishes,

 

Yours sincerely

 

Richard Smyth