Education 

Community Music Service 

• School Instrumental and Vocal Lessons 

  Community Music Service teachers visit each primary, junior and secondary school weekly and provide instrumental lessons.  In Junior and Primary schools whole classes learn to play instruments through the Wider Opportunities programmes (see details below).
  
  Instruments taught in Primary Schools are:

  • Cello
  • Clarinet
  • Euphonium
  • Flute
  • Mini double bass
  • Oboe
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Violin
  • Viola

  Additional percussion instruments:- African and Latin percussion may be involved in whole class lessons through the Wider Opportunities programmes.

  Instruments taught in Secondary schools are:

  • Bass Guitar
  • Cello
  • Clarinet
  • Drum kit
  • Euphonium
  • Electric Guitar 
  • Flute
  • Guitar
  • Keyboard
  • Mini double bass
  • Percussion
  • Piano
  • Oboe
  • Saxophone
  • Singing
  • Steel pans
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Violin
  • Viola

  Applying for instrument/vocal lessons in schools:

  • Tell the school that you wish your child to have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument
  • If there are spaces then you will be given an Parental Consent form to complete
  • If there are no spaces then your child will be placed on a waiting list
  • Alternatively you can apply for lessons at the Music Centre (lesson fees apply)

  Pupils who apply are then auditioned by the instrumental teacher.

  Auditions
  The school will organise pupils to meet the instrumental teacher who will assess their suitability for the specific instrument. The assessment is based on physical suitability, basic musical understanding and enthusiasm/commitment.

  Instrumental Teaching Policy
  All instrumental lessons are free to pupils who attend schools in Barking and Dagenham schools. The instrumental lesson takes place in school or at the Saturday Music Schools.

  Lessons are 30 minutes in length. Pupils are taught in small group, pairs or individually unless offered within Wider Opportunities programmes:

  • Beginners: Group of 4-8
  • Grade 3 or 4: In smaller groups or pairs
  • Grade 5+ : Individual lessons

   

• Wider Opportunities Programmes in Schools 

  This exciting programme involves the whole class is a music lesson which includes learning a musical instrument. The Community Music Service provides instrumental teachers and instruments to schools who 'buy in' wider opportunities' provision.

  The class teacher and Community Music Service tutors work together with the whole class using orchestral and/or percussion instruments. Many schools and classes benefit from this opportunity to learn an instrument. This is the first access to a musical instrument for an increasing number of pupils.

  Wider Opportunities lessons take place in Year 5. The orchestral instruments may be taken home for practice and brought to schools for the music activities/lessons. There may a charge for instrument hire and insurance, parents will be asked to complete an Instrument Hire and Insurance Form for Wider Opportunities.

  After the programme has ended the pupils have the opportunity to continue learning the instrument through instrumental and vocal lessons given in Junior/Primary and Secondary schools by CMS instrumental teachers.

   

• Rock and Percussion School 

  This pilot programme began in October 2005. It is currently open to pupils at Sydney Russell School and Jo Richardson Community School pupils only. The music activities include: World percussion (rhythm) outreach classes, drum kit, guitar and bass and vocal tuition and support for bands.

  Application forms are available from participating schools.

   

• Additional Music Centre classes 

  The CMS music centre lessons for adults and children (18 years and under) to further their interest in playing a musical instrument of their choice; and to provide opportunities for children to play in ensembles with other CMS pupils.

  Music provides experiences that can develop a persons potential in many areas of their life. Playing a musical instrument helps to concentrate the mind and express feelings through performing. The CMS teaches thousands of young people and you could join them in making the most of the opportunity to play an instrument.

  Music Centre lessons are available to all children and adults who live, or in the case of children, are educated in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The lessons will take place at the Music Centre from Monday to Thursday after school starting from 3.30pm.

  Individual lessons will be taught by teachers from the Community Music Service and will consist of three terms of ten 30 minute lessons. Individual lessons will be available on the following instruments:

  Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone
  String: violin, viola, cello, mini bass and guitar
  Brass: french horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba
  Other instruments: drum kit and piano.
  
  Instruments will be available to hire for £20 per year.  School aged children will also be able to purchase an instrument through the CMS via the Assisted Instrumental Purchase Scheme (AIPS).  Please enquire at the Music Centre if you are interested in purchasing an instrument. 

  Children who receive lessons will be able to join an ensemble relevant to their ability for an additional cost of £20 per term (3 terms per year). 

  Group lessons will be available for guitars, keyboards and recorders. 
  
  For further information on all Music Centre lessons, please contact the music office.

   

• Music Groups (Ensembles, bands and orchestras) 

  All pupils learning an instrument are invited to join a music ensemble, band or orchestra.

  The music groups rehearse at the Music Centre, Adult College after school between 4pm - 8pm from Monday to Thursday.

  • Membership of a music group is free (small charge for Music Centre pupils)
  • Regular participation in both the instrumental lesson and the music group supports the musical learning
  • It is recommended that all pupils who learn an instrument should play in either a school or music centre ensemble, band or orchestra
  • In addition to regular practice the participation in a music group is the best way to succeed in mastering an instrument

  How to join a Community Music Service Music Group (ensemble, band or orchestra)
  The Community Music Service organises music groups for all levels of experience from beginners to advanced.

  • Beginners have their first taste of playing in a music group in the Beginner Workshops which take place in the Spring Term. Parents are then invited to bring their children to one of the Starter Ensembles. From this point on pupils are promoted to other groups as they progress
  • Pupils who join at a later stage are most welcome
  • Check below to see which music group is the right one for the level of experience
  • Simply turn up and give your name to the member of staff in charge
  • All Community Music Service Music Groups take place in Rooms 38, 40, 34 or the Hall in the Music Centre, Adult College
  • Go to the Music Office for advice and/or look at the notice board for room numbers

   

• Music events - Workshops, concerts and projects 

  Music workshops and concerts occur often throughout the school year. They are planned to support musical learning, motivation and progression.

  Postal invitations are supported by information via schools and instrumental tutors to ensure that pupils and parents know about and support these events.

   

• Loaning a musical instrument and instrument insurance 

  If instrumental lessons are offered then the pupil will be given an Instrument Hire and Insurance form for parents to complete.

  • All orchestral instruments are hired and insured for a small annual fee of £20 (this excludes pianos, keyboards, guitar, bass guitars or percussion instruments).  The excess on the Community Music Service insurance is £35 which parents must pay if an instrument is damaged or lost  
  • Parents are responsible for the maintenance of the instrument

  Collecting the musical instrument
  Parents will be given an instrument allocation form, which allows them to collect a musical instrument from the Music Centre, Adult College, Fanshawe Crescent, Dagenham after telephoning for an appointment on 020 8270 6690.

  The instrumental lessons take place weekly in school during the school day weekly.

   

• Adult Music Provision 

  Music Centre Lessons
  Adults are welcome to apply for individual instrumental lessons at the Music Centre.  These are held weekday afternoons/evenings and are available in the following instruments:
  
  Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone
  String: violin, viola, cello, mini bass and guitar
  Brass: french horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba
  Other instruments: drum kit and piano.
  
  Adult College Lessons
  A weekly programme of music classes for adults are organised in partnership with the Adult College.

  All classes take place at the Music Centre, Adult College, Fanshawe Crescent.

  The range of Adult Music provision include:

  • Guitar lessons
  • Adult College Choir

  For information about fees and the timetable of music courses you can:

  • Contact the Adult College on 020 8270 4722 
  • Call at the main reception of the Adult College in Fanshawe Crescent, Dagenham

   

• National Organisation 

  The Community Music Service is a member of the Federation of Music Services and the National Association of Music Educators, Music Education Council.
  
  The Community Music Service was awarded a Diploma of Merit in the annual Local Education Authority Music Awards from the National Music Council in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2010.
  
  The CMS in 2003 received a borough recognition award for work in the community.
  
  As part of a nation Department for Education review of music services undertaken by independent Music Service Evaluation Partners the CMS was described as "an outstanding music service".