The AMBER Trust - AMBER Music Awards

Who we are

AMBER Music Awards

What they are

Child on piano The AMBER Music Awards are grants
that pay for:
music lessons
music therapy sessions
the purchase of musical instruments
music software, such as Sibelius
concert tickets
travel related to musical activities

Access to musical instruments and specialist music lessons vastly increases the musical ability of AMBER's children. Music software enables them to compose and arrange their own music, while attending concerts expands their experience of musical styles and performance.

For us at AMBER, it is a joy to see what a huge difference music can make – and is making – to these children’s lives.

Why they are important

There are over 24,000 blind or partially
sighted children in the UK, many of
whom have a real flair for music. With
the right support they can develop their
talent to remarkable ends, fulfilling their
potential as individuals and musicians.

Many families with disabled children
cannot afford to buy the most basic
household leisure equipment that many
of us take for granted. When a child
with special needs shows an interest in
music, progressing this requires funds
that are often not available. The AMBER
Music Awards address this need.

Faith playing the piano

Music is Faith's passion, whether listening or playing instruments.
It motivates her, calms her and gives her great joy.

I appreciate the work that you are doing, having taught in a school
for the blind for many years, working with multiply disabled visually
impaired children. It is good to be able to 'unlock' so much that is
within them through music and to see their joy. In all my years of
teaching, there have been very few children who have not responded
to music. Long may your work continue." Faith's music teacher

A child like Joseph

Like his sister, Eleanor, nine-year-old Joseph has blurred vision, cannot see colours, and has a dislike of bright light. He is a very ‘rhythmic’ child and wanted to learn the drums from an early age.

Joseph on drums

The AMBER Music Awards paid
for an electronic drum kit for
Joseph, along with drum lessons.
Joseph has a natural talent for
the drums and looks forward
with great excitement to each
lesson. He enjoys the tactile
feedback he gets through
the drumsticks.

Joseph’s drum teacher describes
him as, “an enthusiastic and
talented pupil, who is making
the very most of his lessons
and is showing good progress”.

Joseph was so awed by his sister's progress that he, too, auditioned for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was accepted. He now has lessons in piano and orchestral percussion at the college and rock drumming outside the college.

“My drum kit is really cool! My teacher says I am now ready
to play in a band! Piano is hard work but good fun.” Joseph

Who can apply

The Awards are open to blind or partially sighted children and young people up to the age of 18, who may also have other physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties. Parents or carers can apply on their behalf by completing and sending back a Music Award application form.
Read more...

A child like Eleanor

Eleanor at the Hilton For the past two years,
The AMBER Trust has
supported Eleanor and
her brother, Joseph,
who both have a rare
eye condition, called
Achromatopsia. This
means that they cannot
see colours, things appear
blurry, and bright light
is painful. But eleven-
year-old Eleanor's world
is completely immersed
in music.

Eleanor playing at a concert at the Hilton

Eleanor outside RWCMD

                            She has an amazing musical
                            ear and since finding music,
                            her self-confidence has soared.
                            Eleanor enjoys nothing more
                            than to perform in front of
                            an audience.

                            The AMBER Music Awards enable
                            her to attend the Royal Welsh
                            College of Music and Drama,
                            where she studies the piano and
                            clarinet and takes singing lessons.
                            Eleanor is making great progress.

                            One of her teachers says,
                            “Eleanor is an absolute pleasure
                            to teach - a positive, enthusiastic
                            and interested student with clear
                            potential”. Eleanor’s father says
                            that she 'comes alive' in the
                            atmosphere of the College.