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Birchwood High School
Parsonage Lane
Bishop's Stortford
CM23 5BD
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01992 556752 or 01992 555532

The telephone numbers will be operational for the following hours whilst the music centre is open:

  • Monday 3.30pm - 7pm
  • Tuesday 3.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Wednesday 3.30pm - 7pm
  • Friday 3.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Saturday 8.30am - 1pm


bstortfordmusicenquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Regional Manager: Peter Foster

Business Manager: Anita Forrest

Administrator: Elizabeth Middleton

Excellent musical tution on a variety of instruments; cello, piano, guitar, flute, brass, clarinet, violin as well as welcoming groups to put your learning into practice - see our ensembles section.

Sign up for music lessons

What's on

Recorders Rock ! Saturday 23rd November 1000-1200 hours

FREE Trial session suitable for children aged 5-8

♪ Did you know there are different kinds of recorders, each with a unique tone?

♪ Have a go trying out various recorders with guidance from our amazing woodwind teachers

♪ Great instrument to start your musical journey, accessible and progress quickly

♪ Play in groups after learning a few basics

The session will start off with an introduction to recorders and everyone having a go.  Participants will learn some simple but catchy tunes. At 10.45am there will be a 20 minute break for those who might need a drink or snack (please pack a drink and small snack bag - no nuts please).  At 11.45am, 15 minutes before the end of the session, there will be a short concert of the pieces we have learnt throughout the session, parents, siblings and grandparents welcome. 

Children playing recorders

To book your  free place, please register on the Sign Up Blue box under the Short courses option.

We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd! 

Friday

  • 4.30pm – 5.10pm –  Beginner Brass Ensemble
  • 5.30pm – 6.30pm – Training Band

Saturday (4-18 years)

  • 9.00am - 9.40am – Junior Music Group (children 4 to 7 years old)
  • 9.45am -10.45am - String Group
  • 09.50am –10.50am – Senior Wind Band
  • 11.00am -12.00pm – Orchestra

 

Individual lessons

  • piano
  • strings: violin, viola, cello, guitar (classic, electric, bass), double bass
  • woodwind: recorder, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone
  • brass: trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone and tuba
  • singing / voice

Bishop's Stortford Music Centre offers

  • excellent musical tuition with highly experienced music teachers who are also enthusiastic, professional musicians 
  • all teachers and staff are DBS checked and undergo a rigorous selection process
  • children feel safe and welcome
  • music Centres cultivate a sense of belonging
  • students and parents /carers enjoy termly concerts
  • ABRSM & Trinity exam preparation

Benefits of learning a musical instrument will last a lifetime

  • stress relief and a time to escape in your own world of sound
  • enhanced cognitive abilities; potential improvements to memory, attention span, language processing
  • increased creativity and connectedness with others especially if applying instrument learnt to a group setting such as a band or ensemble
  • improved academic performance; learning an instrument teaches discipline and the rewards of patience and practice

Attending your lessons or group

Things to bring to lessons:

  • instrument (where required), music and diary
  • a drink
  • your own reeds (if you play a reed instrument).

 

Drop-off and pick-up

When arriving at BSMC could pupils please make their way to the Music Block.  Parking is available in the main car park and students can access the Music Block by going through the double gates from the car park into the school.  The Music block is immediately on your left.  Follow the sign to bring you to the main atrium door.  Parents please ensure that you leave your child with their music teacher and that they sign in.  Please collect students from your music teacher.

Any helpers please ensure you sign in with your teacher or admin person when on site.  Any adults that remain on site in the Music Centre waiting for their child, please ensure that you sign in on arrival in the Visitors book with the Admin person on duty  Please also remember to sign out.

 

About our groups

 

BSMC Groups A4 1 page 2023 Oct..

Wind and brass bands....

  • Fridays and Saturdays
  • includes some work as a large ensemble and some pieces in a variety of smaller groups.
  • we cater for wind and brass players of all different levels of experience
  • we work with different combinations of instruments and genres, including chamber music
  • playing in a group helps you develop ensemble skills and orchestral discipline but, more than that, it gives the chance to have fun with music making

 

Brass Ensemble

  • Fridays, 4.30pm–5.10pm
  • an opportunity for young players of approximately grade 5 standard upwards to explore a wide-ranging repertoire
  • suitable for children of secondary school age (grades 4+ for lower brass instruments)

 

Senior wind band

  • Saturdays, 9.45pm–10.45am
  • Experience helpful but not essential (grades 4-8+)

 

Flute choir (currently postponed due to lack of number)

Please register your interest and if we have enough numbers to start the group, we will let you know.

  • Saturdays, 11am-11.40 am
  • the flute choir (for players of grade3+) has fun with music for flutes for three parts, up to full flute choir repertoire which gives players the opportunity to share parts with others or learn to hold a line on their own.
  • we work on musical skills such as communication, leadership and tuning. Players also have the opportunity to play alto flute and piccolo

 

For the younger and newer budding Musicians....

Junior music group

  • Saturdays, 9.00am–9.40am
  • musical adventures for children 4 to 7 years old!

  • The Junior Music Group is for 4 to 7-year-olds to learn how to play a variety of instruments and experience playing in a group. Building confidence, teamwork and encouraging artistic expression.

    We teach the fundamentals of rhythm and pitch using both sight reading and aural skills to learn songs by artists like George Ezra, Katy Perry, Queen and Rudimental as well as music from film and TV and music from around the world. All sessions involve group performance and also teach instrumental techniques, how to use the elements of music and how to read music. 

    Children can bring their own instruments if they have them, and they will be incorporated into the performances, but no prior knowledge of music or experience is necessary. We have a full set of Keyboards and West African Djembe drums as well as many other instruments that we try out in our sessions. 

    Grown ups are welcome to sit with children for the sessions, but may be asked to join in making up silly songs or dancing like a penguin.

 

String Babies (currently paused due to lackof numbers)

Please register your interest and if we have sufficient numbers to hold the group, we will let you know.

  • Tuesdays 4.50pm-5.20pm

The Stringbabies programme involves learning an instrument using games, toys and general musical skills. Structured home practice is gradually introduced as the programme proceeds.  This will lead to being able to perform well, while confidently sight-reading and composing with conventional music notation.  A typical session will include playing, lots  of singing and musical games, all with a strong emphasis on enjoyment!  Hertfordshire Music Service and Stringbabies Ltd. are working in partnership to offer this fun and rewarding way for very young children to learn the cello...before you worry about the size of the instrument – we have little cellos for little people!

More information about the programme can be found at Stringbabies.com or contact the Centre either by e-mail or phone.

Orchestra

  • Saturdays, 11am–12.00 midday
  • Must be a member of a senior group
  • Exciting repertoire and diversity of music and arrangements.

 Training band

  • Fridays, 5.30pm–6.30pm.
  • No experience necessary (grades 1-3)
  • Come along and enjoy learning with others the skill of playing together in a band.  Great experience and everyone helps out.  Parents are welcome to listen in and occasionally participate if required.

Music Theory groups 

  • If you’ve reached grade 4 / 5 standard on your instrument, you’re probably going to need to pass Grade 5 Music Theory soon.  In these busy times, you may not think you can fit anything else into your busy timetable so why not consider joining our online music theory classes?  

  • Classes are at 9am on Saturday mornings and you can join the Teams meeting from wherever you happen to be at that time. 

  • To join, students need to be a good standard on their instrument and must be able to work independently some of the time.  We aim to prepare for the ABRSM theory grade 5 exam as quickly as possible.  The course syllabus is designed to prepare for the new format online exams.  Students will also gain knowledge, which can be useful for GCSE Music. 

  • Students will receive worksheets (via email to their parents) to print out at home. 

  • You are welcome to attend a trial session before joining the class if you wish to.

  Online only Music Theory

  • Fridays online 5.00-5.40pm 

 Online / In person Music Theory

  • Saturdays, on-line & in person 9.00am-9.40am

Strings group

  • Saturdays 9.45am-10.45am
  • For violin, viola, cello and double bass players. We play everything from Baroque to jazz, with everything in between. We have more than a bit of fun along the way too!
  • These groups provide an excellent opportunity to develop ensemble skills, orchestral discipline and sight-reading.