Somerset Music Booklet

SSE Somerset Music Is Your Music Curriculum in Tune?

What is the Service?

SSE Somerset Music is just one of the services provided by Support Services for Education (SSE), a traded unit within Somerset County Council.

As an organisation we offer a wide variety of services and training to all education providers such as Schools, Academies, Further Education Colleges, and Universities.

Somerset Music is the Local Authority’s music service, we have a team of qualified music teachers who offer tuition and support to schools across the whole county.

We are also the lead delivery partner for Sound Foundation Somerset (SFS), the music hub for Somerset.

Our Vision Our vision is to ensure that every child has access to high quality instrumental and singing tuition.

We believe that music education is an essential part of the school curriculum. The skills children develop through learning a musical instrument such as creative thinking, team working, and problem solving along with confidence and self-esteem are all hugely beneficial to their ongoing learning and development.

As part of Support Services for Education our ambition is to improve the lives of young people through music by working together with schools and our music education partners.

We work hard to keep the cost of tuition for schools and parents/young people low, as we are passionate about making music as accessible as possible.

About Us Music is powerful, aside from its entertainment value listening to music is known to have an incredibly positive effect on our brains. More specifically, music can change the way we act, feel, and think.

Research has shown that actively taking part in music helps children develop in other areas of learning and increases well being, while providing opportunities for human connection.

Somerset Music is here to support you with your music delivery.

Somerset Music’s teachers have a wide skill base and deliver lessons on a weekly basis for whole classes, large and small groups, or on an individual basis. We offer tuition in singing and all string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Somerset Music provides ensemble activities for young musicians within our region and runs the flagship Somerset County Youth Orchestra, Somerset County Youth Concert Band and Somerset County Youth Choirs.

In addition, Somerset Music staff offer continuous professional development to classroom teachers in schools via conferences and the Primary Music Teachers’ Network.

Throughout the year Somerset Music runs large scale events, the largest of which is the Somerset County Christmas Concert held at Wells Cathedral. This takes place in early December to a capacity audience with around 500 young performers from schools across the County, including our County Youth Groups.

We host regional events which provide an opportunity for local schools to showcase their music to a wider audience. As part of the Singing Strategy, Somerset Music hosts a series of workshops for gifted and talented children and large-scale performances often led by eminent practitioners.

Instrument Hire Somerset Music has a large stock of musical instruments which are hired out to schools and individuals on a termly basis at very low cost.

Should your instrument be damaged in any way, we have an in-house Instrument Technician who is available to carry out repairs, on rented or privately owned instruments.

For more information on our musical instrument hire or instrument repair service please email us on somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk.

What Packages do we offer?

Somerset Music offers a wide range of packages to suit the needs of individual schools and their pupils. Packages can be purchased either on an annual or termly basis and can be tailored to suit the age range and number of pupils in your classes.

We provide Whole Class Ensemble Tuition as well as Individual Lessons - a full list of our packages can be found on our website - www.somersetmusic.co.uk.

Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET) •

Enables whole classes to learn a musical instrument together

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Enables the school-based staff to learn alongside their classes developing valuable skills

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Mainly aimed at pupils in KS2

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Takes place during the school day and lasts 45-60 minutes (based on the number of children in the class)

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Puts the ensemble experience at the heart of learning music

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Provides the opportunity for all pupils to learn to play an instrument

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Has had a positive impact on student attendance, achievement, and self confidence.

What does it involve?

• A complete musical experience including creative work, listening skills and performance •

A partnership between the school and the music service

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School based staff participation

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A springboard for sustainable instrumental teaching and learning

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A class set of instruments is provided by Somerset Music as part of the package.

What Instruments can we learn with Somerset Music?

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Woodwind Brass Guitar Samba Ukulele Djembe Strings Vocal

What are the costs for Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET)?

One term of music tuition including instrument hire @ £541 Two terms of music tuition including instrument hire @ £855 Three terms of music tuition including instrument hire @ £1082 Our WCET programme is heavily subsidised through the funding we receive from Sound Foundation Somerset.

Our three-term package provides tuition for 32 weeks over the academic year plus a meeting with one of our tutors to discuss your music requirements.

Additional Packages we provide » » » » »

Primary Music Curriculum & CPD Bespoke Music Tuition including workshops Secondary School Offer Individual & Small Group Lessons Singing

For more information about these please contact Somerset Music somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk.

A full list of our packages can be found on our website www.somersetmusic.co.uk.

Why Choose Us? The SSE Somerset Music team has been teaching children music in our County for over 30 years, we have a team of dedicated tutors who share the same passion to deliver high–quality learning.

We have a large selection of musical instruments for pupils to choose from. Watching children grow in confidence through performance and giving them the freedom to express themselves through creative music writing, is hugely rewarding and something we at Somerset Music encourage our pupils to do.

SSE Somerset Music is a member of Music Mark, the national body for music services, and all staff benefit from regular training from various bodies associated with the organisation.

Don’t just take our word for it, here is what our customers say:

If you would like any more information or to talk to a member of the Somerset Music team please contact us

Key Contacts Email: somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk Tel: 0300 123 7364 Website www.somersetmusic.co.uk For latest news and updates follow us on social media: Somerset Music Youtube Somerset County Youth Choirs | Facebook | Twitter Somerset County Youth Orchestra | Facebook Somerset County Youth Concert Band | Facebook