Which instruments can you learn at FSM?
FSM is proud to be able to offer individual music tuition on nearly all orchestral instruments as well as excellent vocal tuition. We currently have pupils learning the violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French Horn, euphonium, guitar (acoustic, electric and bass), recorder, drum kit and percussion. We also offer individual theory tuition for those pupils working towards their ABRSM Grade 5 theory
examinations.
Who will my teacher be?
Our individual music lessons are given by a team of 13 highly experienced teachers and both Mrs Miller (Director of Music) and Mrs Rowntree (Assistant Director of Music) continue to teach their specialist instruments in addition to their other roles within the department. Please click on each member of the music staff to find out more about them!
Mrs Beverley Miller (Director of Music) Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Theory
Mrs Clare Rowntree (Assistant Director of Music) Violin, Viola, Theory
Mr Robert Harvey Piano, Bass Guitar
Mr Dave Andrews Brass
Miss Cheryl Ashman Clarinet, Saxophone
Mrs Fiona Brockhurst Lower Brass
Mrs Margaret Currie Flute
Mrs Theresa Ford Voice, Piano
Mr Jonathan Hilton-King Drum Kit and Percussion
Mrs Emily Isaac-Johnson Cello, Theory
Mr Jim Lovell Guitar
Mr John Radford Piano
Mr Richard Rowntree Voice, Piano
Our music staff are also involved in directing and coaching our many ensembles.
How do individual music lessons work?
We publish half termly timetables for each teacher in the music department and operate a rotating timetable system which means that children do not miss the same lesson each week for their individual music lesson.
We are a thriving music department and currently give over 185 individual music lessons each week with some children learning two or more instruments. Parents receive a written report of their child’s progress at the end of each term.
If a child is interested in starting an instrument or taking singing lessons, we can organise a trial lesson. Our staff give honest and valuable feedback after a trial lesson which we pass on to parents. In terms of instrumental lessons, this may include observations regarding co-ordination, physical suitability to the instrument and musicianship skills.
In order to begin individual music lessons, parents are asked to read our detailed booklet ‘A Guide to Individual Music Lessons at FSM’. Hard copies of this can be found in the Front Hall and an electronic version is available as a PDF within the Useful Stuff: Parents Info section of the FSM website. As soon as a completed application for lessons is received (which is at the back of the booklet), we will make the necessary arrangements so that lessons can begin at the earliest opportunity.
If a child wishes to stop their music lessons, we ask parents to write (or email) in and give half a term’s notice.
