Music Service about us

Since the music service was established in 1966, it has promoted access for children and young people within and outside schools to the world of music making; the development of musical skills has brought with it associated personal, academic and social skills that are highly valued and widely acknowledged, while the contribution to citizenship and mutual understanding within our communities has been maintained through difficult times since our inception.

Values

We believe in the importance of striving to provide:

• Access and inclusion – for every child in the world of music making.
• Sustainability and continuity – to enable children and young people to achieve their full potential.
• High quality provision – using well trained and qualified staff under the guidance of experienced leaders and managers.
• Breadth and Diversity – of musical styles, genres and methods of delivery to meet the needs of children and young people.

Aims of the Music Service

The Music Service seeks to provide:

• Access and inclusion for every child in the world of music making.
• Sustainability and continuity of provision, enabling children and young people to achieve their full potential.
  High quality of provision using well trained and qualified staff under the guidance of experienced leaders and managers.
• Breadth and diversity of musical styles, genres and methods of delivery to meet the needs of children and young people.

In support of the above aims we provide:

• Instrumental tuition for individuals and groups on a wide range of instruments.
• A number of new approaches aimed at increasing access to tuition e.g. pupils with special educational needs, whole class and large group tuition, pre-tuition schemes, use of technology.
• An instrument loan and maintenance service including the administration of an instrument purchase scheme.
• Opportunities for children, young people and adults to achieve their full potential by playing together in orchestras, bands and other musical events.
• Opportunities for children and young people to perform throughout the year at a range of concerts, festivals, recitals, master classes and other events.
• Access to teaching and performing qualifications through the graded examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity Guildhall : both examination boards have received accreditation from the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
• Support for the delivery of the music curriculum including preparation, where applicable, for the practical aspects of G.C.S.E and AS and A2 music examinations.
• A programme of live music concerts to schools delivered largely by the Music Service Road show.
• An annual Summer School offering a range of options for all students.

Key Achievements 2006 – 2007

• Instrumental Tuition was delivered to almost 4,000 pupils in 192 schools. This figure includes the growing number of pupils involved in whole class and large group projects, of whom we estimate there were about 900 this year. A further 1,000 pupils were involved in pre-tuition schemes, bringing the overall total of pupils who had some experience of instrumental tuition to approximately 5,000.

• The total number of schools receiving tuition remained steady at 192. Of the existing schools, 39 requested extra time while some 9 schools pulled out of the scheme. Our information is that this was due largely to lack of interest arising from increased charges. We were, however, in a position to replace these schools with others from our waiting list, enabling 9 new schools to receive tuition. Currently there are 11 schools on the tuition waiting list.

• Following the dramatic increase in charges in 06/07, there were further, though more modest, increases this year to help offset continuing budget reductions. The charge to schools rose from £20 to £22 per hour with equivalent increases in other charges also. The impact of this was felt throughout the year with schools generally being more cautious about the level of tuition they can sustain. On the positive side, the increased charge has enabled us to be more responsive to schools’ needs, particularly in the new whole class teaching areas. Despite remission arrangements, concerns remain about the exclusion from tuition of some young people for whom the cost is unacceptable.

• With access and opportunity in mind, group teaching and whole class projects were offered in 22 schools – 13 more than the previous year. About 900 young people, almost double the number in the previous year, were involved throughout the year.

• Pre-tuition schemes, developed in collaboration with colleagues Kate Murphy and Brenda Connolly from the CASS Creative and Expressive team, provided opportunities for 1010 young people to be involved in music making activities prior to deciding whether or not to learn to play a musical instrument.

• Breadth of opportunity was available through the delivery of the ‘My Music’ project in Lisanally and Rathore Special Schools, as well as through World Drumming, which is fully booked into the next academic year.

• 905 students were entered for ABRSM examinations. This represents a slight increase on the previous year and is also the second highest entry since 1994/95 when our records began. Of these 95% were successful and 15% - the highest since 2002/03 - achieved a distinction. The percentage achieving merit also increased to the highest on record. In terms of UK percentages, our results are excellent with distinctions and merits being above average. It is commendable that standards are being maintained despite the many pressures under which we currently operate.

• There was a 100% pass rate in the new Music Medals examinations, with 54% passing with excellence. Of the percussion students examined by Trinity College, three received High Achievers Awards

• We work with schools to prepare students for the practical components of GCSE, AS and A2 examinations. Our information is that 100% of these students achieved Grades A to C with 69% gaining grade A.

• 938 students and adults were members of an orchestra, band or ensemble. Our youth groups performed at a total of 14 concerts throughout the year, including 3 in Georgia and Tennessee USA, while the adult ensembles provided an extended programme of concerts and events throughout the season.

• 67 members and staff set off for Georgia and Tennessee on 26th July 2006. None of us could have imagined just how fantastic it would be and how much we would cram into the two weeks before our return on 8 th August. This was the third visit since 1999 to the Southern States of America by SELB Music Service senior orchestras and bands.

• Well done to our members, staff and adult groups who raised over £2,500 for charity! Congratulations also to our Friends Association who reached the £25,000 target towards the SUYO’s highly successful concert tour in Summer 2006.

• With extra time required for staff training on group tuition and whole class schemes, there was, unfortunately, less time this year for Roadshow concerts. These important live music experiences by our full orchestra and samba band worked with 7 schools in presenting concerts to over 1709 pupils including a Christmas performance at Sperrinview Special School. The popular Roadshow is fully booked into the next academic year.

• The annual Schools' Day concerts, given by 202 members of the South Ulster Academy Orchestra and Band and the South Ulster Saxophone Ensemble, were held in Dungannon Leisure Centre. The concerts attracted an appreciative audience of approximately 1,245 pupils and staff, drawn from 19 local primary and post-primary schools.

• In addition to the now well-established British Trombone Day at Bann House in February, we introduced the first ever Double Reed Day in partnership with Howarth of London and the Ulster Youth Orchestra. Both days attracted large and enthusiastic numbers of amateur and professional players from throughout the UK and Ireland.

• Percussion players were not neglected as enthusiasts from across the province gathered in Portadown Music Centre for a Percussion Outreach Day arranged by the Ulster Youth Orchestra in November ‘06.

• There were 240 applications for our annual Summer School. Exciting new options of Beginner String Orchestra and Beginner Wind Band, along with Guitar Playing, were very popular and provided access to students who were not existing Music Service pupils.

• All full-time and most part-time permanent staff attended and contributed actively to the Service Development Conference and planning process. During the year, twelve staff Action Groups carried out quality improvement initiatives in agreed priority areas.

• Music Festivals in Portadown, Newry, Warrenpoint and Dungannon provided a platform for many of our young students. In this competitive arena everyone acquitted themselves well. Notably, Portadown College woodwind and brass ensembles both won their respective classes in the Portadown Festival and our harp ensemble repeated their success of previous years at Newry Feis where local schools completed for first prizes with excellent entries from a range of fine instrumental ensembles.

• A regular feature of the Music Service calendar is the series of student recitals held twice yearly in each of our three music centres. Our November series afforded 58 young players, representing 27 schools, the opportunity to perform to appreciative audiences in a relaxed atmosphere.

• In February, the recitals were specifically targeted at the parents of aspiring new students. Parents were invited to each of the three Centres to gain some insight into the Service and to enjoy performances by some of our very young, promising students, many of whom have only been playing for one or two years. This has always been a particularly well-attended series, but this year the response from parents was overwhelming with precious little standing room available.

• Both students and staff contributed to the recital programme for Prize Night in Newry Town Hall in June 2006. A total of 94 students were nominated for awards in 17 categories, and the prizes were presented by Plunkett Campbell, chairman of the SELB education committee.

• Whole staff training opportunities largely focused this year again on approaches to group teaching and pre-tuition schemes.

• There was on-going development of the use of ‘A Common Approach’ as the basis of the instrumental curriculum. Schemes of work in each department were reviewed, with an associated emphasis on the identification of learning objectives and outcomes in preparation for the writing of annual reports in June 2007.