The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected the arts industries, with all events having to be cancelled or postponed with immediate effect.

Merton Music Foundation (MMF) is a charity located in the borough of Merton, delivering a vast range of music tuition, choirs, ensembles and music projects to children and adults in the borough.

One of MMF's most well-loved schemes is their Saturday morning Music Centre, where children can come to take part in different ensembles and receive instrumental lessons. Having personally been involved with MMF for over 5 years, I've seen first hand the impact it can have on children in the borough, helping them to grow in confidence, learn to work together and most importantly, to have a lot of fun making music!

 

I chatted to Soo Bishop, their Programmes Director, to find out all about how MMF have coped with the pandemic, and what they have planned for the future.

 

During COVID-19, you've had to move your normal services online - what did this involve?

Patience, creativity, flexibility, compromise, more patience and a sense of humour! Within 2 weeks we were able to move all of our services online so that we could continue to reach people all across the borough. However, there are limitations that come with using virtual platforms, especially with choirs and groups, so we had to work that much harder to keep the family philosophy of MMF alive. We've had enormously positive feedback from parents, so we're planning on keeping a digital service available going forwards.

 

What do you love most about working in Merton?

The diverse mix of community and opportunities available to us - we're very lucky to have the Polka Theatre and New Wimbledon Theatre in the area. We work in almost all Merton primary and secondary schools, which enables us to build strong relationships with the heads and teachers there which we love.

 

How can people in Merton get involved and help you at the moment?

COVID-19 has obviously brought about many challenges, especially within the arts industry. The only opportunities we've had available are the ones we have made ourselves, but we've taken lockdown as an opportunity to ask difficult questions about the ‘what, why, where and how’. We hope to come through this stronger and better, if somewhat exhausted and with a few more grey hairs!

We recently launched the MMF #DontStopTheMusic campaign, and so far we have raised £10K which will go towards the cost of tuition for students for whom COVID has affected their opportunity to have music lessons, and to fund the music teachers for them. We would love it if people can get involved and help out by donating, we want to help as many of Merton's Young Musicians as possible.

 

Any plans for Christmas?

Yes! This year we are launching project #LetTheBellsRingOut, a virtual advent calendar on our website. Every day, between the 1st and 24th of December, we'll be releasing a clip of a lockdown performance from an MMF tutor, ensemble, local group or musician. The idea is to showcase creativity and show that despite lockdown and all the challenges it has brought, music is still alive in Merton!

 

To find out more about Merton Music Foundation and their work, and the view their virtual advent calendar #LetTheBellsRingOut, visit their website at https://mmf.org.uk/advent/

To read more about their #DontStopTheMusic campaign and to find out how you can help, visit https://mmf.org.uk/mmfdontstopthemusic/