Wandsworth Schools' Music Service
The Wandsworth Schools' Music Service offers music support to schools and Saturday morning music lessons.
Music in Schools
The service offers several programmes to schools. Some programmes are free, some require a school contribution to costs and others are provided at full cost.
The most popular programmes are:
- Wider Opportunities or whole class instrumental music sessions. The initial year of this programme is free, and is aimed at Year 4; a school is expected to agree a follow-up programme for subsequent years.
- Singing Support from the Singing Strategy Leader: another programme of free support. This work is designed to develop singing ability and introduce a wide range of styles and genres of music leading to public performance opportunities.
- Event presentation with prior learning support for concerts such as the Annual Carol Concerts for the Mayor of Wandsworth's Charities, an annual musical celebration in the spring or summer term, plus other events.
- A Gospel singing programme, usually for Year 5 culminating in a concert in a prestigious concert hall such as the Royal Festival Hall.
- Curriculum Support - with a primary support programme and a further schedule of meetings and courses KS1, for KS2 and KS3.
- "Music First" - a newly developed programme supporting music development in Early Years settings in schools and Children's Centres.
- Provision of peripatetic tutors for instrumental teaching: the service employs around 80 part-time tutors to work on this programme and in the "Wider Opportunities" and "Vocal Strategy" programmes.
Saturday Morning Music Lessons
There are 2 Wandsworth Music Centres running on Saturdays in term time, and ensemble groups, which largely grow out of these.
From autumn 2010 classes will run at the West Hill and Tooting centres. Children can get primary and secondary level tuition at each.
Children aged between 7 and 11 get a whole morning of lessons, including choir and instrumental learning. Older students study a main instrument plus ensemble sessions.
From September 2010 the West Hill Centre is also holding drop-in sessions called the Music First Club for children between 18months and three years.
Children in nursery, reception and years 1 and 2 can come to Saturday Sound Start. This is a 45-minute sessions including singing, rhythm games, moving to music and percussion.
Contact the Schools Music Service
We're happy to talk to schools and members of the public about our services.
Telephone: 020 8871 8703
Email: musicservices@wandsworth.gov.uk
