A SHORT HISTORY
Shortly before the amalgamation of the London Boroughs of West Ham and East Ham an Arts Council was formed with the object of fostering the Arts in the two Boroughs. The Council received an annual grant from the Borough Council and regularly promoted concerts plays and exhibitions.
NEWHAM ACADEMY OF MUSIC
The Newham Academy of Music, Wakefield Street, was the Education Committee's Centre for musical instruction, which at that time was given by a teaching staff comprising 22 full-time and 8 part-time teachers.
Tuition on all orchestral instruments (including Harp) was given in schools and at the Academy. In 1974 a keyboard laboratory was installed, and this was used for theory classes and " O " and 'A" level work. The pipe organ, was built and dedicated to Mr Edward Parker in l972, who pioneered the academy’s work during the 1960’s. On Saturday mornings a special Music School was started held at the Academy, Hartley Junior and Infant School, where approximately 400 children took part in orchestras, ensembles and choirs. Various residential courses were held at Debden House, and twice yearly at Maria Grey College, Twickenham. Visits by the Youth Orchestra, Choir and Jazz Orchestra have included Denmark, Gibraltar, Kaiserslaughten (Germany) twice and St Quentin (Twice).
The academy also took part in the Jean Michel Jarre “Destination Docklands” Concert in 1983 where members of the Youth Orchestra and schools choirs took part.
(Colin Waller May 2013)
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