Stevenage Music Centre
Head of Saturday morning Music school
Deena Day
Email: deena.day@hertscc.gov.uk
Administrative Staff
Patricia Albone
Sarah Bain
Joanne Smith
Address
Valley Way
Stevenage
SG2 9AB
Office Hours (term-time only)
Monday to Wednesday: 08:30-19:30
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm
Saturday: 08:45-12:45
Contact
Tel: 01438 351138
Fax: 01438 746413
Email: stevenagemusicenquiries@hertscc.gov.uk
Newsletter and Dates
Joint wind Band Concert - Click here
Saturday 24 March 2012, 7.30 at the Spirella Ballroom,
Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4ET
Activities
Individual lessons and Group lessons are available for the instruments listed below.
- Brass: Cornet, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium etc.
- Drum Kit
- Guitar: Classical and Electric
- Keyboard
- Piano
- Percussion
- Singing
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
- Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon
- Also: Drama, Gamelan, Musicianship/Aural, Music Technology & Steel Pans
All performing groups rehearse a wide variety of music, and give regular concerts at the Centre. Groups from the North Herts Music Schools may also have the opportunity to perform at outside venues such as the Gordon Craig Theatre.
All groups work with experienced staff to develop their instrumental skills through listening and playing as part of an ensemble.
Group activities flow chart, which shows the progression through the groups
Choir
Saturday: 10.50-11.40
members of all ensembles are strongly urged to join the choir which caters for children between 7 - 14 yrs
As well as being a ‘fun activity’, choral singing stimulates a child’s musical and aural development while improving sight-reading and co-ordination skills. Singing is an essential part of our children’s musical education and enhances their learning of an instrument.
Drama Theatre
7 - 16 years Session times:
Saturday: 10.50-11.40 and 11.40-12.30
Classes work on the history of theatre; Greek, Roman, Medieval & Commedia Del Arte, Shakespearean, Victorian to modern. We work on different styles and discuss costume of the period. The LAMDA examinations are there to build confidence and encourage clear and eloquent speaking. We complete the year with a production for friends & parents; this gives everyone a chance to show what we have worked on throughout the year.
Gamelan
for children, young people or adults who are interested in learning gamelan on a long-term basis
Weekly classes are available, enabling you to delve deeper into the intricacies of the gamelan repertoire and technique. Courses begin every autumn. There are regular informal concerts given by the various groups who study the gamelan at Stevenage as well as more experienced players from around the country.
‘Playing gamelan will neither make me rich nor save my soul but it might just make me a little more civilised’
Hardja Susilo, Javanese musician
Guitar
Guitar Ensemble
Saturday: 10.50-11.40
for Classical Guitar players Grades 1-3 or equivalent
This ensemble provides enjoyment from making music with others and also helps the individual’s musical and technical development using a wide range of repertoire.
Music Clubs
Junior Music
Saturday: 09.30-10.30
for those children who have a particular interest in music or have just started to play an instrument to provide a broad and balanced foundation course in musicianship, based on activities central to KS2 curriculum but with the emphasis on the current and future needs of young instrumentalists
Theory
Tuesday: 16.00-17.30
to prepare students for the Grade 5 Theory written exam which is needed in order to progress to Grade 6 Associated Board practical exam
Children work individually at their own pace. Don’t leave it too late to join!
Steel Pans
Stevenage Music Centre provides children and adult clubs.
Adult club runs on a Saturday morning four times a term. These are for people who want to play on a more regular basis and have fun together. No prior musical knowledge is required.
Strings
Preliminary Strings (& Induction Group)
Saturday: 09.00-09.30 Preliminary Strings
Saturday: 09.30-10.30 Induction Group
for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Players
Your first string group. To encourage string players in the early stages of their learning to have fun while learning how to play together in an orchestra. Followed by induction group.
Junior Strings
Saturday: 09.30-10.30
for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Players Grade 1 or equivalent upwards
A group which extends the students orchestral skills of watching and listening and playing musically as part of an ensemble.
Senior Strings
Saturday: 09.30-10.30
for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Players Grade 3 or equivalent upwards
Players are expected to take greater responsibility for themselves and their instruments. Players are encouraged to improvise and be more aware of their own performances. They learn to be sensitive to each others playing, and develop their instrumental skills through listening and playing as part of an advanced ensemble.
Training Orchestra for Wind and String Players
Saturday: 10.50-11.40
bringing together all disciplines string, wind, brass, percussion
A chance to cover the junior orchestral repertoire.
Chamber Music Ensembles for String Players
Saturday: 11.40-12.30
for senior players, this is an important part of their musical training
Students develop co-operative and independent approaches to music making.
Wind/Brass
Junior Wind Band
Saturday: 09.30-10.30
for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Players Grade 1 or equivalent upwards
Junior Wind Band rehearses a wide ranging repertoire appropriate to the standard. This group works together for their first ‘fun’ experience making music as a ensemble.
Intermediate Wind Band
Saturday: 09.30-10.30
for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Players Grade 3 or equivalent upwards
A group rehearsing a wide ranging repertoire, giving regular concerts working with experienced staff to develop their instrumental skills further.
North Herts Youth Jazz @ Stevenage
Thursday: 16.45-18.15
we welcome players who enjoy big band repertoire
We give regular concerts for charity and in the community. Whilst enjoyment is a priority, students work hard to achieve a high standard.
Stevenage Wind Band
Senior Wind Band
Wednesday: 18.00-19.30
for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Players Grade 5/6 or equivalent upwards
To provide students up to A level standard the opportunity to experience and achieve a high standard of performance. Also includes work towards GCSE/A level ensembles.