Boscombe fiddlers benefit from cash boost

The Coda Fiddle Orchestra was chosen in April for the latest round of the Co-op Local Community Funding, which is the Co-op’s way of giving back to its members and their communities by giving money to local causes.

Money is raised from the 1% earned by Co-op members when they buy own-branded products and services and from the sale of carrier bags and the total donated to the Coda Fiddle Orchestra amounted to £2,824.15.

The community-based CFO ensemble has around 45 young musicians from a diverse range of nationalities. The orchestra works with young people aged 5-16 in Boscombe and breaks down cultural barriers, provides inspiration and creates aspiration.

Over the past eight years, the project has reached hundreds of children, young people and their families, providing weekly, free music opportunities and numerous performances across the town.

The cheque was presented to The Coda Fiddle Orchestra on Saturday 25 November by representatives from the local Co-op as the CFO played for shoppers in The Sovereign Centre in Boscombe.

Phil Hallett, CEO of Coda Music Trust, commented “We are extremely grateful to the Co-op and its members who chose us as their charity. The Coda Fiddle Orchestra participates at the heart of the community and provides a unique opportunity for children and young people to learn an instrument and play as part of a high-quality ensemble. This contribution will help ensure the continued success of the orchestra, which creates an environment of achievement and great pride for the young people of Boscombe.”

Coda Music Trust is a unique, award-wining charity that uses music as a tool for personal and social change. Believing in the power of music to transform lives, Coda offers help and support through participation, learning and therapy.

Over two decades, Coda has developed music activities and programmes for everyone, including some of the most vulnerable people across Dorset, Hampshire and the New Forest.

Coda’s work with music reaches over 800 people each week, eliciting positive change and improving wellbeing.