Afternoon concert raises money for kids music lessons
The Music Access Society has its first holiday fundraiser
The Music Access Society is offering lessons to about two dozen young people at various sites.
Photograph by: Submitted photo , for Langley Advance
A Langley-based non-profit society that teaches music is readying students for a Christmas performance.
The Music Access Society is hosting a Christmas party fundraiser on Dec. 8.
The society provides children in Langley, Abbotsford and South Surrey/White Rock with music lessons and even use of an instrument to take home for the duration of their lessons.
The free music program is available to disadvantaged families who would not otherwise be able to provide lessons and the Dec. 8 event is to raise money for the society's work.
"Community support is crucial to our program," said Anne Guite, the director of operations. "This is year one of our small non-profit. At this point it is our hope we can continue funding the 23 kids from challenged homes in their music lessons."
The music fundraiser is being held at 27083 Fraser Hwy. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (followed by the community's Christmas parade at 6 p.m.).
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids (four and older), and include refreshments, food, prizes, games and of course music.
The program will feature Christmas classics, and pop and folk music, with performances by Soft Focus, and youngsters Fiddlin' Frenzy as well as John Briner and others as yet to be confirmed.
The Music Access Society was founded by Briner, a local father of four, a practising lawyer and former private guitar instructor, and musician Anne Guite, along with a small group of music educators and supporters.
To find out about lessons or more on the society and how to support it, go to www. musicaccesssociety.com. People can also call 604-259-8452.
It accepts donations of working instruments.
Right now the society offers keyboarding instruction Mondays at a meeting room in the Al Anderson Memorial Pool and group guitar meetings Thursdays at St. Dunstan's Anglican Church in Aldergrove.
There are also private lessons for seven low-income or otherwise challenged children and youth offered in music schools closest to the kids' homes.
"Musical instruments are supplied by local donors," Guite explained. "There are still seats available for interested children and youth. Twenty four children and youth have, thus far, begun working with us on their musical journeys."
The Music Access Society is offering lessons to about two dozen young people at various sites.
Photograph by: Submitted photo , for Langley Advance
