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Dean Andrew meets young musicians at GAM
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, learned the rudiments of singing and rhythm when he dropped in on the Saturday morning sessions at Gloucestershire Academy of Music last weekend (October 21).
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Dean Andrew quickly picked up the Solfa hand sign method to help children pitch their notes and enjoyed watching youngsters learn the basics of playing string instruments with Principal Glyn Oxley and his teaching team.
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He was able to meet the academy’s founder Caroline Lumsden, who set up the music school just over 40 years ago in her Churcham kitchen, and still teaches at its current Barbican House base near Gloucester Docks.
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The Dean’s visit underlined his interest in the city community, particularly where the arts are concerned, and he is hoping to foster strong links with the academy and its diverse cultural work.
“It was a great privilege to see the tremendous work that GAM does, especially with young people, in our communities,” he said.
His visit comes at a significant time for GAM as it hopes to seal a deal with its landlords, the city council, next month to make Barbican House its permanent base.
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The building, which is hopes to buy on the back of its 40th anniversary, is home to an eclectic mix of different arts organisations, including the internationally-renowned Flowers Band, who recently competed in the National Championships, to Gloucester Dementia Choir, Gamelan Workshops, the Gloucestershire Boys’ Choir, African Drumming, Nethra Association of Performing Arts and LAMDA – as well as being an exam centre for Trinity and ABRSM.
Photos thanks to: Rob Lacey