Talented young string ensemble make a difference through music (From News Shopper)

Fifty children from Lewisham prepare to wow crowds with their musical talents

4:39pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Music By Nikki Jarvis

An inspirational violinist with a passion for cheering the community up through music has trained her own band of miniature Mozarts.

Verity Thirkettle, who also plays the harp and piano, has put together her own company of six talented children who love nothing more than performing their hearts out.

Known as Truth Music String Ensemble, the nine to 16-year-old harpists and violists from across Lewisham have all improved musically and grown in confidence since Verity took them under her wing.

For their next performance they will be joined by around 50 other children from the area - all armed with instruments - to entertain an audience at St James’ Church in Kidbrooke.

Verity, who teaches music in six Lewisham schools, said: “It’s all about making a difference to our community through music.

“It started with just me and my brother, Giles, performing in hospitals and nursing homes.

“I’ve always enjoyed making people happy through music – when you go into the nursing homes you really notice a difference in people.

“Patients in hospital who have had strokes and haven’t moved at all suddenly start beating along.”

Verity, who began playing the violin at just three-years-old, grouped her six string-playing youngsters together around a year ago and directs it with Giles, 27.

Since then they have performed all over the borough at venues including Catford Broadway Theatre.

“The idea behind it came because when I taught them at school they were doing well but as soon as they played with someone else they stopped playing well.” She added.

“It’s really good for the children to have the opportunities to perform as a group and be able to show off their hard work and everything they have learnt.

“It gives them more prospects for the future and they have gained so much confidence.

“Playing together makes them improve so much faster and they have all been practicing a lot more – it’s really rewarding.”

The First Class Honours graduate has also seen vast development socially, as well as musically, in the children with autism and other disabilities.

She said: “One boy with autism has come on so far.

“When he first started he was very down and negative and now he is more confident and upbeat – even in the way he stands and his posture.”

Nolitha Olusanya, nine, Saranki Saaranganathan, 12, and Ramiyah Saaranganathan, 15, are ensemble’s violinists.

They are joined by harpists Zafra Howard, 10, Polly Maris Shaw, nine, and Benjy Carter, 12.

The group’s upcoming large-scale show takes place on Saturday March 17 at the church in Kidbrooke Park Road.

They will be performing a mixture of popular music, theme tunes and folk songs all on violins and harps and Verity will be concluding the event with a treat on the piano.

Tickets cost £3 for adults and £1 for children.

For more information and to book contact Verity at Verity-47@hotmail.co.uk