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.

SELB Music Service Achievements 2008 – 2009

• Instrumental Tuition was delivered to over 5,000 pupils in 197 schools. This figure includes the growing number of pupils involved in whole class and large group projects, of whom we estimate there were over 2,200 this year. A further 1,500 pupils were involved in pre-tuition schemes, bringing the overall total of pupils who had some experience of instrumental tuition to approximately 6,700 - an increase of over 1,200 on the previous year.
• Wider access programmes, delivered through Music Roadshows, Schools Day, Summer School, ‘My Music’ and World Drumming, bring the total number accessing the service to just below 10,000.
• The total number of schools receiving tuition increased by four to 197. Of the existing schools, thirty requested extra time; fourteen of these requests were for whole class projects. Seven schools asked to reduce their time, while only two schools found it necessary to withdraw from the tuition scheme. We were able to offer tuition to six schools on our waiting list. There are now just seven schools remaining on the tuition waiting list. New whole class projects started up in eight schools. Eleven schools received World Drumming projects during the year.
• Thanks to a more manageable budget allocation this year, we were delighted not to have to increase most charges. Schools remained cautious about the level of tuition being bought in. On the positive side, the increased charges have 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, 67 group teaching and whole class projects were offered in 50 schools: in total 28 more schemes than the previous year were in operation. About 2,200 young people - nearly 700 more than in the previous year - were involved in music making through these projects.
• Pre-tuition schemes provided opportunities for about 1,500 young people to be involved in music making activities prior to deciding whether 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, and through World Drumming, which was fully booked throughout the year and reached over 10 schools and approximately 500 pupils.
• There were 967 entries for the ABRSM grade examinations: an increase of 138 on the previous year and the highest number on record. High standards were maintained. 94% of candidates were successful and 10% achieved a distinction. 33% of candidates achieved a merit. 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 9% passing with excellence. As these exams grew in popularity, entries increased from 45 to 113 this year.
• We work with schools to prepare students for the practical components of GCSE, AS and A2 examinations. This year we are delighted to report that 100% of the candidates with whom we worked achieved Grades A to C at GCSE and AS level. 82% of these gained grade A. At A2 level 72% achieved Grades A-C.
• 966 students and adults were members of an orchestra, band or ensemble. Our youth groups performed at a total of eleven concerts throughout the year. A further 9 events were untaken by the Saxophone Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble, the Recorder Ensemble and the Harp Ensemble, while the adult groups provided an extended programme of concerts and events throughout the season.
• Well done to our members, staff and adult groups who collected £18,787 in fund-raising this year! £15k of this sum when to the Friends Association in support of their activities and for the Youth Band’s concert tour to Italy. The balance of £3,878 went to the SELB’s Build Africa appeal.
• The annual Schools' Day concerts were given by 161 members of the South Ulster Academy Orchestra and Band and the South Ulster Saxophone Ensemble to an extensive audience of their peers. This year’s concerts were presented in Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon. The concerts attracted an appreciative audience of approximately 720 pupils and staff, drawn from six local primary and post-primary schools.
• The Music Service Roadshow - live music experiences using our full staff orchestra and samba band - worked with eleven schools in presenting concerts to over 1,680 pupils. Concerts were targeted at schools in outlying areas of the SELB and at those new to SELB tuition or who are still on the waiting list for tuition. Schools were encouraged to invite parents along and we were delighted to see parents attending as it gave opportunities for them to meet with music service staff.
• The sixth annual British Trombone Day at Bann House took place in February and continued to attract large numbers. Past pupil Chris Day, who is currently studying in Hanover with Janos Bylund, was one of ten superb trombonists from the Music Academy of Hanover who brought an international flavour to this event. Harp and oboe master classes were also provided during the year. Students and staff enjoyed a Strings Day in partnership with Ulster Youth Orchestra and featuring past-pupil Rebecca Breen, now a graduate of the Royal College of Music London. The first ever Clarinet Day was organised successfully and provided professional performances by members of the Royal Philharmonic London and the Ulster Orchestra. There were demonstrations in classical and jazz idioms for the enthusiastic participants. These key events attracted large and enthusiastic numbers of amateur and professional players from throughout the UK and Ireland.
• There were 254 applications for our annual Summer School. A successful Flute Choir option was introduced to encourage more advanced students to attend. The Guitar options continued to attract high numbers and have resulted in the music service beginning guitar tuition in some schools throughout the year. Ice-breaking activities proved very popular and added to the fun and enjoyment.
• All full-time and most part-time permanent staff attended and contributed actively to the Service Development Conference and planning process. During the year, eight 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 students and schools acquitted themselves well.
• In February, our ‘New Start” recitals were specifically targeted at the parents of newly enrolled students. These informative and entertaining evenings enabled parents to see the opportunities available and the diversity of experiences on offer. Soloists ranged in age from nine to nineteen years. Some of the new and exciting Musical Pathways schemes were featured, as well as examples of Music Medals, the beginner Bass programme and World Drumming.
• Both students and staff contributed to the recital programme for our 15th annual Prize Night in Craigavon Civic Centre in June 2008. A total of 109 students were nominated for awards in nineteen categories. The event was attended by the SELB’s chief executive, Mrs. Helen McClenaghan and was introduced by BBC broadcaster Bob Crookes. Catherine Milligan, Miss Northern Ireland 2006-07 presented the awards.
• Whole staff training opportunities focused this year on developing the use of Learning Intentions. Continuing support was provided for pre-tuition and group teaching schemes and for the use of the Music Medals examination programme. Work continued on the preparation of support materials for whole class projects linked to the Revised Curriculum.