Building Skills, Confidence and Opportunities Through Music
Throughout 2026, the Living Music Foundation (LMF) is continuing its commitment to bringing practical music education and creative opportunities closer to schools and communities.
Through our ongoing community training programmes, children and young people are given the opportunity to learn musical instruments, develop their creativity, build confidence, and experience the positive impact of music in their education and personal development.
Our approach goes beyond teaching children how to play an instrument. We seek to nurture discipline, confidence, teamwork, listening skills, creativity and a sense of achievement—skills that can positively influence their lives both inside and outside the classroom.
Below are some of the community training programmes currently taking place in 2026.
Nyakyeera United School Band Training
Location: Nyakyeera United School, Ntungamo
Participants: Students in Senior One and Senior Two
Training period: 10 Wednesdays per term
Nyakyeera United School has a strong desire to see its students develop practical music skills and eventually form a school band. The school identified keyboard, drums, guitar, bass guitar and singing as important areas in which the students could be trained.
In response to this need, the Living Music Foundation dedicated eight Wednesdays during the previous term to begin the training programme. The initial training has already produced encouraging results.
So far, 19 students have been introduced to the basics of playing different instruments:
- 6 students learning keyboard
- 5 students learning bass guitar
- 4 students learning drums
- 4 students learning electric guitar
Although the students are still at the foundation stage, they have already begun developing the skills and confidence needed to play their instruments.
Celebrating Their First Performance
At the end of the term, the students were given an opportunity to showcase what they had learned in an afternoon performance for the wider school community.
The performance was well received and gave the students an important opportunity to experience what it means to perform in front of others. The occasion was further enriched by a live performance from the Vessels Band, which provided an inspiring musical experience and helped the students see what they could aspire to achieve as they continue developing their skills.
Taking the Training to the Next Level
The training is continuing with the goal of helping the students become more confident and capable musicians. The next stage will introduce more advanced playing, including ear training, chord progression and chord-flow exercises, helping the students strengthen their listening skills and ability to play together.
The students are currently on holiday and will resume training at the beginning of the third term. By the end of the year, they hope to present another performance for the school community and parents, demonstrating how far they have progressed.
More Than Music
The impact of the programme is already being noticed beyond the students’ musical abilities.
Teachers and the headteacher have shared that the training has contributed to improvements in the students’ character, self-esteem, confidence and discipline. For LMF, this is an important part of what community music training is about—using music not only to develop musicians, but also to help young people grow as individuals.