2023 – The Hope of Youth June 28, 2024 15:59

To Our Worldwide Percussion Family,

Over the last twelve months, we have witnessed the resilience of educators, musicians, and the Arts. Despite numerous challenges, they continue to prevail. Here in Australia, we have seen many lives touched and countless events and businesses adapt to new realities.

This period has caused me to reflect on my tenure in charge of the extraordinary team at Rhythmscape. Over the last two decades, we have grown from an idea to an export brand known for innovation, quality, and excellence. This has not happened by chance. Countless hours of work, successes, failures, and challenges overcome, have made Rhythmscape into the brand it is today. 

Looking back on this journey, I have learnt many things, the most profound being 'nothing great comes easily'.

With this in mind, I'd like every reader to consider one simple question: how can we continue to foster the hope of youth through music as we move forward? For me, I envision a world where young people are inspired and united by music, where the joy of learning and performing brings renewed optimism. As we all know, music teachers play a crucial role in this vision, bringing joy and passion to their students, nurturing their talents, and guiding them through the transformative power of music.

Whilst we can all wish, we must come together and make it happen. We owe it to each student who dares to learn an instrument.

Therefore, as I did twelve months ago, I wish to acknowledge some of the educational institutions where our music and the hope of youth are flourishing – Juilliard School (NY, USA), Berklee College of Music (MA, USA), University of Southern California (CA, USA), Indiana University (IN, USA), University of Miami (FL, USA), New England Conservatory (MA, USA), Royal Academy of Music (London, UK), Conservatoire de Paris (France), Sibelius Academy (Helsinki, Finland), Hochschule für Musik und Tanz (Cologne, Germany), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London, UK), and University of Music and Performing Arts (Vienna, Austria).

And lastly, I particularly ask you to keep all the students, teachers, and educators in your hearts. They are now reaching even deeper to move us forward.

Sincerely and with hope,

Gordon Hughes 
Founder and Managing Director 

Rhythmscape Publishing