A MUSIC school is pleading for the public’s help to continue its vital work.

The Elgar School of Music, in Deansway, Worcester, has provided tuition since its inception in 1983, for musicians from the city and beyond and it needs to raise £10,000 to safeguard future learning.

Head of the school, Noriko Tsuzaki, said: “We’ve been hit hard by the pandemic and not supported as much compared to other sectors.

“We desperately need to raise significant funds quickly to be able to keep our doors open to not only keep delivering our diverse provisions for the community, but also to secure jobs for our administration team and teaching staff.”

The school provides a range of teaching for all ages and mixed abilities, including its community choirs offering a “social lifeline” for members of the community “who are older and look forward to the personal and social interaction achieved through singing together”.

Miss Tsuzaki added: “We will be one of the last sectors to go back to anything like it was before the pandemic hit.

“Many of the teachers at the school also perform professionally which all disappeared quickly as months of lockdown started.”

The school is currently adapting its building to make students as safe as possible during the pandemic when they return.

With so much of the school’s income and sources gone, it faces “an uncertain and worrying future”.

Developing provisions in early years music and creating music therapy programmes in care homes and hospices were some of the projects staff started as the pandemic began at the beginning of the year.

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On its Just Giving page, people who have donated have left messages of support.

Helen Perks said: “Music has given me sterling service in my career and is still doing so. This is by means of giving something back.”

Adrian said: “You are providing musical experience and teaching for a wide range of people in Worcester - important work.”

John Dowbiggin said: “ESM has provided many happy hours as I’ve joined in the choirs and learned to play the oboe helping me achieve things in the last third of my life I never thought I would.”

Steve said: “Music - such a comfort in tough times. Keep playing and singing.”

To help, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/esmcovid2020