Hey,

I'm from Salford, Manchester and we have Salford 'MAPAS' (Music and Performing Arts Service) but I don't feel there are a lot of opportunities for more advanced players. There seems ot be a lot of focus in getting lots of the local kids INTO music , so that they actually start an instrument, and then the focus just goes off them: i.e, there isn't much support or focus for people above Grade 4-5 standard!!!

I was wondering what other people's services are like and what people's opinions are on them.

36 Degrees xxx

Not up to much.

I left at about grade 3 level due to lack of progress and teacher unrealiability, I guess in some cases they're just trying to do too much.

I'm in Worcestershire and we have a County Music service. Its really good - we have three different tiered levels of orchestras, brass bands, wind orchestras, string ensembles, rock bands, as well as free theory tuition (although we're all different grades and its one teacher between 15) For the area music centres you don't have to audition but grade 2 is about the standard they expect. For the Intermediate the standard is grade 4-5 and for the youth ensembles its around 6-8, and for both of these groups you have to audition.

You have to pay for the ensembles, but its a flat rate - i.e. i'm in the youth wind orchestra, and i pay £28 per term, and then anything else is free. It's a great service but they are in biig financial problems - i think some of the government money has been cut or something, so the prices keep going up and up. I think £28 per term is great value, but its almost doubled in just two terms so i'm dreading what it will cost this year!

I think that my music service is pretty good. There's three different levels of orchestra, two concert bands, two jazz bands, two guitar groups, a choir and a theory class. You don't have to audition to get into the junior groups but you do have to audition for the intermediate and senior ensembles.
What are other people's services like?

How can I find out if there are any opportunities like this in my local area?

I'm in Lancashire

Well, my music centre, Sefton Music Support Centre is literally THE TOPS !!! it is sooooooo cool. there are loads of great ensembles and orchesras, and we have a residential weekend away every year. we do loads of charity concerts, quiz nights, BBQs, etc etc etc.
The staff are fantastic - really encouraging, and very friendly.
We have loads of fun music making and i have loads of great friends there.
GO SEFTON MUSIC SUPPORT SERVICE !!!!!!!!!!!

Hey,

Oh good, I thought it was only my service that was a bit poor! We have big money problems too i think and it's such a shame because there's loads of good players who just have to play the same old music over and over sometimes.

QUOTE

I left at about grade 3 level due to lack of progress and teacher unrealiability

That's irritating!! I hate the 'teacher unreliabilty' part! Sometimes that's what seems to make some services bad because the teachers are reeeeeeaaaallly unprofessional about stuff and don't expect much form the players. I know it's supposed to be fun and younger kids don't want to be forced into stuff but for people who want to go into music for a career, it's annoying that there's not much support.

ANYWAY, I'll stop ranting now!

36 Degrees xxx

hiya!

well i live in walsall...... (no comments please) and we have a great service. the service provides tuition on all instruments except piano to primary schools- secondary schools. we have a lesson of about 20 minutes each week. the service also provides the instruments on loan free of charge.

apart from the tuition the service aims to get all its members involved in an orchestra or ensemble of some sort. these ensembles/orchestra/bands ect having varying difficulty levels. there is also a rock and op school for those people that like that sort of music.

the service is always providing oppurtunities for performance and workshops, the workshops are sometimes like an artist in recidence type occasion.

all i can say is that without my service i wouldn be the musician i a m today!!! (wipes tears from eyes) lol

jaime

QUOTE

Well, my music centre, Sefton Music Support Centre is literally THE TOPS

Ooooh is that in Southport or nearby? I'm not far from there...

Can you PM me or something please?

I found this of interest - a couple of years old now and doesn't deal with Scotland, but the postcode lottery is obvious.

DfES Music Services survey

hi

i live in luton so theres luton music service. it v.good. they run 2 music schools son saturday mornings one 4 north luton 1 4 south. it organises brass bonzas, wirily gigd, fiddle feista and what ever percission have! so theres ltos to do