Charitable Association’s Musical Instruments for Children in Patagonia

Patagonia Instrument Project is a charity based in Wales, which provides musical instruments for youth groups and schools in Patagonia. It was created in 2016, following the 2015 tour of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, which included a community residency celebrating the 150^th anniversary of Y Waldfa, the Welsh settlement in Chubut, Patagonia. It is independent of the BBC, being set up and run by a group of 5 trustees, four of which play with BBC NOW.

The residency involved working with over 1000 mixed ability children in schools and with specialist music groups from across Chubut, and was carried out by a small group of players alongside Welsh Harpist Catrin Finch (current Patron of PIP), animateur Andy Pidcock, and Welsh conductor Grant Llewellyn. During these workshops it quickly became apparent to the BBC musicians that most of the schools they visited had no instrument resources at all.  A suitcase full of handheld percussion brought from Wales allowed 60 children to play music together, and teachers and pupils in Patagonia were overawed by this simple collection of instruments. At one orchestral rehearsal the percussion section was made up of a collection of oil drums, beginner snare drums and some local ethnic bombos. When Chris Stock (Principal Percussionist of BBC NOW) enquired why no Timpani had been brought to the rehearsal, he was told there were no Timpani in the whole of Chubut. It was then that Chris decided to set up the Patagonia Instrument Project.

The initial aim of the project was to collect and deliver musical instruments that were simply not accessible at the time to pupils and teachers in Chubut, either because of financial constraints (most instruments cost double the cost within the UK), or lack of availability. These did not need to be new, just good quality, robust instruments that would serve the purpose of the specialist teachers within the province. Instruments were sourced from across the UK, some specialist items being purchased, but many being donated to the charity. Some needed restoring, others that weren’t financially viable to repair, were saved for spare parts.

The major hurdle was of course the high cost of transporting our growing collection of instruments some 7,500 miles from Wales to Patagonia, as well as finding the way to solve all of the red tape required to be allowed to fulfil our plans. I took nearly two years to be granted the right to export to Chubut, as well as find the right people on both sides of the ocean to facilitate this. Thankfully we were now receiving advice and encouragement from both the British Council in Wales and Argentina, the British embassy in Buenos Aires and the Argentine embassy in London. We also received support from the Education Ministry in Chubut and especially the Asociacion Cultural Galesa de Puerto Madryn. (The welsh association of Puerto Madryn) All this support, encouragement and collaboration proved essential to the success of the project.

Our shipment arrived in 2018. The ten flight cases contained amongst many other items, the first two pairs of hand-tuned Timpani for the province. One pair now lives with INTA youth orchestra in Trelew. The other cases were full of Wind, Brass, string and percussion instruments as well as tutor books and instrument repair manuals.

Since the early days, we have grown and developed as a charity.  We learnt a lot from the shipping process and as Argentina’s economy and import laws changed in our favour, we decided to adapt our initial plans, by raising money in the UK and buying directly within Argentina whenever possible. The impact of this means that many of the donated instruments we receive are used to raise funds. They are serviced, repaired or recycled, and sold back into the Welsh music scene.  If we have a surplus of a particular instrument we even donate some back to the youth musical charities that run within Wales. This gives some children here access to a start-up instrument, at no cost.

Of course, if a donor particularly desires their instrument to reach Patagonia, we honour their wish. It may take a little longer, but it will eventually get there. Thankfully, many of our donors are happy simply to support our work in whichever way they can.

We now have strong links with the groups we support across Chubut, as well as with suppliers in Argentina who offer us favorable rates wherever possible to support our work. This speeds up the whole process of getting exactly what each group needs, when and where they need it. As long as we have the funds currently available, we endeavor to fulfill each request we receive. We only send instrument directly now, if they cannot be purchased within Argentina. Such a case was a request we received from a bilingual school in Gaiman (Welsh/Spanish), for a Harp. The harp of choice was a Siff Saff harp from welsh harp makers Teif Harps in Llandysul. We launched an appeal and raised the funds needed within 3 months. The instrument was collected and transported for us by the teacher who had requested it. We also covered the customs costs.

Another example of our work that we are particularly proud of is when a request came from one group in the east of Patagonia, which informed us of devastating forest fires in El Hoyo close to the Andes in the west of Chubut. Many families in the town had lost their homes in the fires and their children’s instruments were destroyed. We managed to replace all of their brass instruments and helped with coordination of support from our other groups across Chubut. Along with musical groups across Argentina, all the instruments lost, were replaced within 3 weeks. We continue to work supporting this groups.

We estimate, at Argentinian prices, we have sent to the region over £60,000 worth of musical instruments.

Other notable ‘firsts’ for us, include purchasing the first electronic digital piano to be owned and used by the Youth Eisteddfod in Gaiman, which is also used throughout the year by the specialist music school in the town. Prior to this, they had borrowed an instrument each year to accompany all of the entrants who required an accompanist.

We will always remain a small niche charity, doing work that is often outside of the remit of many charitable grants available in the UK. This means we rely on like-minded individuals to support us with donations, both financial and of unused instruments. However, the impact of our work is not purely based on the items we are able to provide. The bigger impact for all the groups right across the province of Chubut in Patagonia is the continued direct contact with players in BBC NOW, and the support and knowledge this offers.

Despite the impact of the current pandemic on many charities, we are managing to work and survive, and hope to be able to do so for years to come. In fact, last year saw our highest level of direct donation to groups in Chubut. We are now working with groups in Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Gaiman, Trevelin, Esquel, El Hoyo and Lago Puelo.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this. If you wish to learn more about us, please visit our website, or search for us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. If you have an instrument that you think may be of use to us, please get in touch directly through any of these platforms. There is also a donate button should anybody wish to support our work financially.

The Team

We hope that Patagonia Instrument Project can leave a lasting musical legacy to the tour by BBC NOW, in an area that has a significant historical connection to the land and people of Wales.

Testimonials from our friends in Patagonia, supporters and donors:

‘All ARCOS are very grateful to the Patagonia Instrument Project and especially to Chris for all the effort, dedication and passion that you give to the project.  For us it is very valuable what it has achieved and I find great satisfaction in receiving from musicians who are so far from us.  It is the first time that we feel accompanied, supported and that they take us into account.  That is very special for us.’

Paz Misurelli, Arcos strings, Trevelin, Patagonia.

It seems incredible to me and it also fills me with joy to know that there are people like you, who against all the obstacles, remain firm with their goal and their dream that Patagonian kids can learn to be musicians with excellent quality instruments!’

Joaquín Silva, Rawson, Chubut

Music is such an intrinsic part of Welsh identity and Teithiau Tango is delighted to be involved in the fantastic Patagonia Instrument Project, supporting youth groups and schools interested in learning musical instruments.’

Angeles Santos Rees – Co-Owner, Teithiau Tango

It will give me great solace and pleasure to know that Jane’s guitar will be being played, with love and passion in Patagonia.  What an inspiring movement yours is.’

Bob Steel, Cambridgeshire