3 Ways We Raise Money For Charity In Our Music Studio

Here at Greenside we are all fortunate in so many ways, and sometimes it is easy to take our lifestyles for granted. We feel that supporting charities through our music making is important, as it helps to raise awareness about those who are less fortunate than us. Through various methods of fundraising, we are able to provide our students with an insight into how they can help others; either by donating money, or by being involved in projects and events that will help to raise money.  

1. Concerts

We see concerts as not just good musical opportunities, but also chances to raise money for charity. For example, in 2013 we held a small concert in the Greenside Garden for our music groups, and donated all the money from the ticket sales to Hope House, a local charity that provides specialist nursing care and support to life-limited children, young people and young adults.

 We hold an annual Spring Piano Recital which raises money for The British Heart Foundation, a charity which funds thousands of research projects around the UK that are fighting heart disease.

2. Bake Sales  
Twice a year we hold bake sales for our Choir in support of two British charities:
Comic Relief (a charity which helps individuals and communities in the UK and around the world) and Children in Need (a charity which aims to change the lives of disabled children and young adults in the UK). 

These charities have special days where everyone is encouraged to raise money in various ways. On our charity evenings, the members of choir dress up and buy cakes that have been baked by Georgina, Angela and Sophie.

All of the money raised from the sales of the cakes is donated to charity. 

We're looking forward to our next bake sale on Friday 14th November!

3. Charity Music Projects

In 2012, we produced a charity CD, Smile, which consisted of original songs written by Georgina and Catherine and performed by Greenside Choir and Greenside Glocktet. From the sales of the CD we raised enough money to fund two life-changing cleft palate operations through the charity Operation Smile. As this project was successful, we decided to embark on another one - Seasons, which we are currently working on.

The front cover for our book, designed by one of Catherine's students, Emily Loveday,
who is currently studying Art for one of her A Levels.

The book and CD are currently being pre-ordered by our students and their families. The profits from the sales will be donated to Children in Need.  As well as supporting a charity, we hope it will also provide a lasting memento for everyone who has been involved in the project.