Winchfield Festival Charity

Why the Winchfield Festival Exists?

The need has never been greater. Music is no longer a guaranteed part of every child’s education. In many schools, budget pressures and curriculum changes have squeezed creative subjects to the margins. Fewer children get the chance to learn an instrument, sing in a choir, or experience the shared joy of performing together. What was once a universal part of growing up is now a privilege that depends on where you live or the resources your school can afford.

That’s why the work we do matters. Access to music education doesn’t just teach notes and rhythms; it builds confidence, empathy, and teamwork. It encourages children to listen, express themselves, and connect with others. Studies show that children involved in music perform better academically, develop stronger communication skills, and gain emotional resilience that benefits every area of their lives. Most importantly, music gives children a voice (literally!) and a sense of belonging that stays with them for life.

Through the funds raised by the Winchfield Festival, we help ensure that the next generation has the opportunity to experience that same magic: to pick up an instrument, to sing with friends, to be inspired and to know that their (your!) community believes in them.

I wanted to write to say a big thank you for organising the playing event. It was a great experience for the children and a wonderful opportunity for the schools to work together and for the children to get a taste of Calthorpe as well.

Velmead Junior School

Hampshire Music Service, supported by the Winchfield Festival Outreach Scheme, used its experience in purchasing high quality resources to ensure that best value for money was achieved for all the instruments purchased. We have bought good quality instruments, appropriate to the age group, tuned, curated and stored at no charge to the schools.

Instruments and resources for the Winchfield Outreach Scheme are provided from Hampshire Music Service free of charge as part of their contribution to the Winchfield Outreach Project. This arrangement includes delivery, setup, and ongoing maintenance.

Schools have continued to borrow the centrally purchased instruments when not required for the delivery of the Winchfield Outreach Scheme, enabling continued value from the purchases throughout the year. The instruments are being maintained and kept in excellent working order by Hampshire Music Service.

I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to the Winchfield Project for the fantastic resources that we received as part of the David Kaye Award. They will be so useful in our lessons; the ukulele books will allow us to develop our ukulele teaching which only began this academic year.

Success stories?

6 years of increased music provision at Key Stage 2 in Hart District.
6 years of funded HMS specialist teaching and advice to the schools
Reached with over 7500 pupil interactions in the 5 years.

HMS contact with schools in Hart District has improved very significantly. The scheme provides an opportunity for HMS to have contact with the schools, offer funded specialist advice and support as well as specialist music teaching for the KS2 pupils. The festival’s aim is that this is enriching, provision in addition to that provided by the schools themselves.

Confidence in relation to the teaching of music has increased in many of the participating schools. The number of schools where the profile of music in the curriculum has increased.

Currently, musical resources funded include:

90 ukuleles
32 Jambie Jams – introduction to stell pans
120 Doods – introduction to playing the clarinet
120 Toots – introduction to playing the flute
Portable Keyboard x 1
Ipads for composition