Resonance, the music industry-focussed higher education institution near Dudley in the West Midlands, is enabling nearby schools to keep up with their one-to-one music tuition during the coronavirus lockdown period.
Dudley Performing Arts (DPA) delivers music tuition to schools in the area and has had to re-engineer its lessons in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, providing all tuition online from the safety of the tutors’ homes. This arrangement works for many instruments, but for drum teaching the noise is problematic, as DPA drum tutor Al Cornell found.
Resonance stepped in to help by offering Cornell the use of a fully equipped, soundproofed rehearsal room, complete with a state-of-the-art drumkit, in its new venue, the Cable Plaza building at The Waterfront. Cornell links up with his students via iPad and Microsoft Teams for 20 or 30 minute lessons.
Resonance director David Barnard said:
‘Our building has been open and ready-to-move-into since earlier this year. With the current lockdown, the building is standing empty with only security guards in residence. So when our friends at DPA got in touch and told us of Al’s problem, we were only too keen to help out. We’re thrilled it’s working out so well for him.
‘Working with the local music community is very much part of our ethos. We’re a not-for profit organisation and believe that music is vital for everyone, especially now when the rest of the world is a difficult place to navigate.’
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said:
‘We’re delighted that over 600 children are now engaging virtually with Dudley Performing Arts, providing youngsters with fun and stimulus during their time at home due to coronavirus.
‘I would like to thank Resonance for giving DPA access to its facilities during the lockdown. I am sure they will continue to work together to create great music education for young people in our borough.’
Header photo: Drummer Al Cormell teaching students from rehearsal room one at Resonance
