Premier League footballer Nathan Aké has partnered with Casio to launch a novel music education initiative called Playing For Change. The objective of this program is to provide music education to underprivileged schools and colleges across the UK. Playing For Change is seen as a groundbreaking donation project that aims to improve music education provision in schools that have the least amount of resources and opportunities. This donation project has become possible with the help of Casio and Aké’s shared passion for music education and spreading the joy of playing music.
Earlier this year, the program was launched as a pilot with the donation of ten Casio digital pianos to six schools in Manchester, where Aké himself personally delivered the instruments to East Manchester Academy, which is located in one of the city’s most disadvantaged areas. Under the program, Playing For Change aims to donate two Casio pianos every month to disadvantaged schools and colleges across the UK for one year.
Pianos will be delivered to schools in need of instruments, thereby providing essential access to a musical education that is historically limited to children from affluent families. This scheme is an attempt to provide a head start in music careers for students who lack the financial means to access such opportunities. Besides, the program hopes to improve social skills, discipline, patience, and confidence among the students.
Being a self-taught pianist himself, Aké cites the improved mental wellbeing and focus that come with learning the musical instrument. Learning to play the piano during COVID lockdowns was a revelation for Aké, who sees music as an uplifting influence that improves his mental state and stress relief, particularly before and after games. He believes that every child should have the opportunity to experience the gift of music and feels that music education should be inclusive and accessible to all students, regardless of their background.
UK-registered educational institutions can apply for this scheme through Casio’s website. The program is a commendable effort to bring much-needed inclusivity and diversity in British musical education and spread the love for music across generations and socioeconomic backgrounds
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