The Trinity School of Music in London has recognized Being with the Buddies, a children’s music program at Good Shepherd Episcopal Indian Church in Stafford. The church will be the only entity in Houston offering Trinity’s curriculum. Students who pass the exam will receive a certificate from Trinity.
Founded in London in 1872, Trinity was the first music exam board in the world. Today about 850,000 students in more than 60 countries take Trinity exams in music, drama and English each year.
Bishop C. Andrew Doyle was the first to hear the news during a recent Sunday visit to Good Sheperd. The Rev. Roy Varghese is the vicar.
The church started Buddies after the pandemic to help children in the community connect with each other. Church leaders listened to their neighbors and built the program around the gifts already present in their community. One of those gifts was Mr. Ashik, who teaches music to the children. Buddies has grown from one seminar to three.
The program also brings families together. Leaders built community among family members waiting during lessons, added recitals for family and friends, and hosted a dinner after the recitals, visiting each table to welcome guests. Families have joined the church.
Trinity is Mr. Ashik’s alma mater. When the school contacted him, he told them about Buddies. Trinity was impressed and offered to partner with the program.
