Registered Charity Number 1121851

TMP was set up in 2000 – over 21 years ago – as a response to a decline (even then) in instrumental teaching in state schools  – at that time, there were literally hundreds of unused instruments across every Primary and Secondary School in Thetford, and no county teaching in any of them. John Weeks, who became Vice-Chair of TMP, suggested a local partnership group to do something about grassroots musical instrumental teaching, and David O’Neale, MBE became our first Director, with a small team of Music Service and freelance instrumental tutors and teachers, offering cut-price lessons on a Thursday afternoon, after school at Queensway School (now Diamond). 

Since local management of school budgets, academisation, the withdrawal of County Music Services and a number of other political changes since that time, the picture has become if anything much more fragmented across England: yet in Thetford, over the past 21 years, sometimes more than a hundred young people a week have benefited from lessons and ensembles, affordably, and with increasingly high musical standards.  Thanks to John, David (who very sadly died in 2014, aged only 59), and a loyal band of willing helpers, TMP has consistently delivered a total of some 30,000 hours of instrumental teaching, as well as bands, groups, concerts, charity events and other activities enabling talented and keen young Thetfordians and others a locally-accessible chance to learn to play and love music.

President

Mrs. Sylvia Armes, alongside her late husband, and former President, Colin, was from the very inception of TMP, a loyal advocate and – most importantly – critical friend to our project, always offering salient, well-timed and generous support. As our most eminent civic representative, Sylvia still brings huge skill and insight to our Committee meetings, and has done much, alongside Colin, to raise thousands of pounds to ensure the charity continues to be an attractive and affordable way of learning to play music, for the young people of Thetford, and well beyond.. 

We are honoured that Sylvia accepted the invitation to take over in the purely honorary role of TMP President, from Christmas, 2021. 

Picture; Sylvia, as Thetford Town Mayor in 2014, with our second President, Colin Armes, who sadly died last year.

Ann Smith- Chair of TMP

Ann Smith was TMP’s Director for many years, and has now stepped back to become Chair of TMP.
She started her musical path at the age of 10 with learning to play the piano followed by brass and woodwind instruments.
Ann has played in many local orchestras, windbands and brass bands over the years. Encouraging musicians of all ages by running workshops and residentials plus teaching in several schools around Norfolk

Trustees:

John Settle, Jane McCreedy, Rob Head, Peter Baird, Marie Blakey-Stoppard