Pete Handley Percussion Award News

Music summer school experience

This year PHPA sponsored two students to attend the well Music summer school 2021.

Exciting! Inspiring! I've never learnt so much in such a short space of time! Drumline, jazz vibes, samba and so much more!

No video clips from the Summer school due to covid restrictions this year so I have attached clip of Wells staff and 6th form performing a "Lockdown" version of "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

Supporting a Special Concert

Stan had the opportunity to perform at Frome Music Festival in July2021.. PHPA was approached to support the hire cost of a professional Marimba for his performance.

Not only did Stan learn from the music performance he learned the organisational skills and logistics involved in creating a successful show.

He performed to a maximum capacity audience too!

The clip is Stan performing llijas by Nebojac Zivkovick.

Students Attend Summer School

PHPA recipients attend a week-long Percussion Summer School at Wells Cathedral School, Somerset.

Professional Advice

A 15-year-old percussion student received a professional critique of his playing alongside career guidance from Ralph Salmins in his recording studio.


...the same recipient four years later!

Convo - Tri-Borough Music Hub

Thanks to a donation from the PHPA, the Tri-Borough Music Hub was able to purchase a brand new glockenspiel, which made its debut performance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Ivor Composer Award-winning Convo on 7 March 2019.

(Photograph credit Sheila Burnett)

Percussion Graded Examinations

The PHPA supports percussionists with grants for examination fees.

Percussion Accessories

The PHPA purchased a selection of specialist sticks and mallets to support a talented recipient progress her music career.