A child like Joseph

Like his sister, Eleanor, twelve-year-old Joseph has blurred vision, cannot see colours, and has a dislike of bright light. A very ‘rhythmic’ child, he wanted to learn the drums from an early age. An AMBER Music Award paid for an electronic drum kit and drum lessons for Joseph. He says: “My drum kit is cool and my teacher says I am ready to play in a band!”

Joseph’s father says that his son has a natural talent for music and loves to have a skill that is ‘envied’ by his peers. It helps his confidence, motor skills and concentration. He has thrown himself into music wholeheartedly, but without AMBER’s support he would certainly be a more solitary, less confident child. 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 musical development that he, too, applied and was accepted to study at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. With AMBER’s help, he now has lessons in piano and orchestral percussion at the college, and rock drumming outside the college.