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Watford School of Music

 

Watford School of Music

Unlock your musical potential throughout the academic year, after school, and in the evenings with tuition in:

  • Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp
  • Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone and recorder
  • Brass: cornet, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba
  • Percussion: orchestral and drums
  • Singing: classical and pop
  • Piano
  • Guitar: classical and electric
  • Suzuki piano

 

Information:

Need to hire an instrument? For £30 per term, pupils can borrow from our wide range (subject to availability). Read more and apply online via the Access to instruments scheme.

 

  

 

Groups and ensembles

We welcome students of all levels to join our music groups and ensembles. They're a great way to improve skill, build confidence and experience the thrill of performing with others. Options:

  • From £62 per term – get access to one ensemble of your choice.

  • £112 per term – unlimited access to ensembles in all of our music centres with ensemble membership.

More about ensemble membership and how to join

 

 

Find ensembles in Watford and across Hertfordshire

Term dates and events

Spring term 2026

  • Half term holiday: 15 February 2026 – 22 February 2026
  • Easter holiday: 28 March 2026 – 12 April 2026.

 

Summer term 2026

  • Half term holiday: 24 May 2026 – 31 May 2026
  • Summer holiday: 19 July 2026 – 31 August 2026.

West Herts term dates 25-26 (printable) (PDF, 107KB)

West Herts concerts and events 2025-26

 

West Herts concerts and events

EventDate and timeDetails

West Herts Student Concert, Watford School of Music.

Mon 9 March 2026, 5.15pm and 7.15pm.

Anna Golebiowski – Lead. Open to all DMS and WSM instrumentalists.

WSM Youth Orchestra concert, Watford School of Music.

Fri 20 March 2026, 7.30pm.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead.

Symphonic Rock, venue to be confirmed. 

Sat 9 May 2026, 1.30pm.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead. WSM and DMS Rock Groups and DCO.

DMS – Come and Try Session, Dacorum Music School.

Sat 23 May 2026,10.30am – 12.30pm.

Mark Taylor – Lead. Public event.

WSM – Come and Try Session, Watford School of Music.

Sat 23 May 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead. Public event.

Music Making Day, Watford School of Music.

Tues 9 June 2026, 9.30am – 3pm.

Kelly Simpson – Lead. Open to all West Herts KS2 instrumentalists.

West Herts Student Concert, Watford School of Music.

Tues 16 June 2026, 5.15pm and 7.15pm.

Mark Taylor – Lead. Open to all DMS and WSM instrumentalists.

DMS – Chamber Evening, venue to be confirmed.

Wed 1 July 2026, 7pm.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead. Recorder Consort, Flute Choir, Recorderlicious, String Chamber(s), DCO, Guitar Ensembles.

WSM Youth Orchestra Concert, venue to be confirmed.

Fri 3 July 2026, 7.30pm.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead. WSM YO.

Explore, Sing, Make, Play, Watford School of Music.

Sat 4 July 2026.

Leigh Miller – Lead. Explore R, Explore 1, Explore 2, SMP.

DMS – Saturday Showcase, Dacorum Music School.

Sat 4 July 2026, 11am.

Nyree O’Brien – Lead. Mini Music Makers, Music Makers, SMP (YoungMusicians, SINGIT, Sat Band).

West Herts – Ensembles Concert, Watford School of Music.

Tues 7 July 2026, 7pm.

Kelly Simpson – Lead. WSM Junior Band, Concert Band, Sinfonia, DMS Saturday Symphony.

Sat Showcase, Watford School of Music.

Sat 11 July 2026, 11.30am.

Mark Taylor – Lead. String Starters, Junior Stings, String Works.

DMS – Showstoppers, Dacorum Music School. 

Sun 12 July 2026.

Kelly Simpson – Lead. Showstoppers' end of term performance.

 

 

Why study music here?

We offer:

  • excellent musical tuition

  • highly experienced music teachers who are enthusiastic, professional musicians - all staff are DBS checked and undergo a rigorous selection process

  • a safe and welcoming atmosphere

  • an environment that cultivates a sense of belonging

  • termly concerts students for parents, carers and the community to enjoy

Suzuki Piano

The Suzuki method is a unique style of teaching which is designed to introduce children to music in a way that aligns with their development. As a result, it is more than just a musical education, it is a journey of nurturing young minds through the art of Piano playing.

At Watford School of Music, we offer individual Suzuki Piano lessons.

Far more than in more traditional teaching systems, parents play a pivotal role in their child's learning. The programme involves:

  • Lessons ideally start before the age of 5.

  • Parents/Carers involvement is key, your commitment is the key to your child’s success. Fill your child’s environment with music right from the start and listen to the pieces they are learning to support their development.

  • Your child’s progress will be proportional to the amount of practice you do together.

  • There are opportunities to perform at concerts and other events.

Come and observe a session

We recommend all prospective learners and parents come and observe a sessions first. This will help you to get a feel for the method, to get to know the teachers and other parents.

We ask that you register using the link below and also contact us directly and we will provide you with further details.

Please email HMSwest@hertfordshire.gov.uk for more information or to book an observation.

  

 

Find us and contact us

The Clarendon Muse
70 Rickmansworth Road
Watford
WD18 7JA
Find on a map

Get in touch during term-time open hours:

 

Term-time hours:

  • Monday - Friday: 3.45pm - 8pm

  • Saturdays: 8.45am - 1pm

 

Drop-off and pick-up info

There are no specific instructions.

Contact us if you'd like to know more about visiting our music school.

Centre staff

Regional Manager (West Herts): Nyree O'Brien

Regional Development Lead (West Herts): Anna Golebiowski

Regional Development Lead (West Herts): Kelly Simpson

Regional Development Lead (West Herts): Mark Taylor

Regional Business & Administration Manager (West Herts): Monica Mills

Regional Business & Administration Manager (West Herts): Robert Clarke

Reception Administrator: Amanda Robson

Reception Administrator: Roukshana Zaman