Abbey House Fund Pledge Card Appeal
November will see the start of refurbishment works, and adding of new facilities, to Pro Corda’s main student accommodation – the Abbey Farmhouse at Leiston Abbey. Part Tudor, part Georgian, “Abbey House” has formed a second home to so many hundreds of Pro Cordians since the late 70s when the Trust purchased the site.
These days it forms an artistic and creative home to more students than ever before, and across all sections of society, with Pro Corda running a full time programme of courses throughout the year.
The Abbey House refurbishment forms a central part of Pro Corda’s long term ambitions to develop Leiston Abbey to secure fit for purpose facilities long term for Europe’s only full time site dedicated to chamber music education.
Much work within this has already been carried out. The Barn Concert Hall re-thatching and timbering, works to the Guesten Hall and 14th century Lady Chapel, a new recording and composition studio.
Our long term dream is new purpose built studios. But first we must see to the student accommodation which lies at the very heart of the Pro Corda experience.
We’ve made a positive start on the fund thanks to several Principal Donors and a range of energetic student fundraising. But there is a long way to go and we must make a start in November.
To this end, we’ve launched a “Pledge Card” appeal to all Pro Corda families. Current course student’s families will have received a specially made CD recorded by CEO Andrew Quartermain in the new Guesten recording studio. Titled “A little gift from Leiston Abbey,” it features works by Haydn, Liszt and Schubert.
All pledge cards returned (and all amounts) will translate into the immediate help we need to make this refurbishment happen, and to full effect.
If you haven’t received the CD (not available in the shops!) and would like one, and to take part in the appeal, please contact Andrew using the form and a pack (including the CD) will be posted to you by return.
All those who take part, together with all those who have already fundraised for Abbey House, will be recorded in a special 50th Anniversary Abbey House book to be produced by the Spring. All supporters of the appeal will also be invited to a special Spring Ball at Leiston Abbey next year to view progress on the house and to come together for a fine social occasion.
Please consider taking part in this appeal – you really will be making an immediate difference for so many hundreds of children, young musicians, those with additional needs who attend our outreach courses, and all the hundreds of current Pro Cordians who call Leiston Abbey House as their home.
Thank you from us all!
