In January 1980, Fay’s mum Sheila, along with a group of parents, set up Woodfarm Music Workshop, its aim being to introduce children to the joy of music-making. It became a significant part of Fay’s, Heather’s and many of the local children’s childhoods, and it stayed part of Fay’s life well into her adult years.
From humble beginnings in 1980, the Music Workshop grew quickly; weekly rehearsals became the norm, and specialist teachers began joining the group and lending their expertise. Many concerts were performed over the years, some held in Woodfarm Community Centre, and some were visits by the group to elderly people in sheltered housing.
Having started with the descant recorder, children then progressed onto treble and tenor recorders and percussion instruments. Later, with financial support from the Education Department, the group set up Woodfarm Music Workshop Library – a collection of reading books, music books and cassettes for children to borrow.
By the mid-1980s, the group had rapidly expanded from around 10 pupils in 1980, to 85 pupils. An instrumental group was formed, the Woodfarm Originals, and was open to children who played other instruments. There was a further proposal to introduce lessons in woodwind, brass and string instruments, along with theory and aural classes.
Fay thoroughly enjoyed the group and those years, and when she was in high school she decided to carry on the tradition by helping out at the music workshop with her friend Isla. They were assistant teachers at the Music Workshop for several years and then went on to start teaching recorder at Mearns Primary, later joined by Isla’s sister Louise. The group was made up of beginners and experienced players, and the popularity of the beginners group meant that it soon had to be split into sections so that the children could receive the most benefit from the teaching. Fay, Isla and Louise kept up a weekly commitment of going to Mearns Primary to teach the group, and began to start organising performances such as Christmas concerts and Burns Supper concerts.
The group continued to undergo developments, and in 1994 a letter was issued to parents explaining that some of the children were now ready sit examinations, a significant ‘first’ for the group.
Isla and Louise’s memories are of Fay being very dedicated and really helping the children to prepare for the school concerts, which she even used to hand write the music for. Fay continued her recorder teaching and became a private tutor during her university years. One of her ex-pupils commented on how Fay had taught recorder at her house for years and had become a family friend.
