Watford School of Music
Address: Clarendon Muse, 70 Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD18 7JA
Contact: 01923 225531 watfordmusicenquiries@hertscc.gov.uk
Head of Hertfordshire Music Service & Watford School of Music: James Dickinson
Head of Operations Watford School of Music & Area Head (West): Angela Gilby
Head of Saturday Morning Music School: John Brennan
Administrative Team: Roz Garratt, Brenda Riddle & Shaun Benjemin
MUSE NEWS SUMMARY
Calendar of Events Term Dates Fees Christmas Newsletter
NEW GROUPS TO JOIN
Brass at WSM
The brass ensembles are now up and running with Brass Attack! and WSM Brass Band having given their first short performance at the end of term.
Brass Attack! is for young brass players of primary school age. Wednesday 5.15-6.00
Brass Band is for young people at secondary school. Wednesday 6.00-7.00
Both groups are directed by Paul Fisher, conductor of the County Youth Brass.
Join either group now for Just £33 per term!
Percussion Ensemble
New to WSM this term, our percussion ensemble is for experienced Secondary school age players (Grade 4+). Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays, 6-45-7.30pm. Cost: £41 per term.
Show Choir is for boys and girls from Year 7 upwards. They sing ‘Glee type’ songs as well as dance. You don’t have to audition; just enjoy singing and dancing. You don’t need to read music. It is held on a Monday from 7.00 – 8.00. Come along and have a go!
Watford Youth Music Theatre has begun rehearsing for their end of year performance. Talented teenagers from schools all over Watford come to rehearse every Tuesday from 7-9pm in the wonderful auditorium at The Clarendon Muse. We have been working on an ensemble dance, a very high energy 'mash-up' to some great songs. We have been working on our improvisation skills and developing our own dramatic scenes. We have been singing chorus numbers from ‘Hairspray’ and ‘We Will Rock You’. Our Review show in July will be a great opportunity for us to perform our ensemble pieces in the auditorium. Some of us are also singing solos and duets from our favourite shows (Wicked!). If you would like to join us and are aged between 13 and 19 please get in touch; we are looking for new members (especially boys). If you would like to come down and see what we get up to, there's no charge for the first 2 sessions!
ROCK SCHOOL Are you a bedroom guitarist? Or a saucepan drummer? Do you sing into the hairbrush like you're at the O2 Arena?? If so then we can help. Watford School of Music is entering in to the world of ROCK. The Herts rock school team are taking residence every Thursday afternoon from 4-6pm. Rock School is a weekly session aimed at turning your individual talent and enthusiasm into working bands. We provide rehearsal space comprising loud and silent rehearsal rooms equipped with awesome new gear and we have tutors on hand who are experienced musicians who have recorded and toured all over the world. You'll learn skills required to play successfully in a band, learn to play your favourite songs, write and record your own songs and perform at end of term shows in great local venues.
Who's it for? From Year 6 to 6th form and everything in between. You may be a year 7 guitarist, learning for a couple of terms; or a year 8 drummer, playing for a year or so and you want to take things to the next level. We will put you into bands and help you achieve your goals. For those older students who have more experience and may already play in bands, we can offer help with songwriting, lyrics and harmony, arrangements, production and recording techniques as well as a variety of gigs and support with all aspects of band promotion, with the ultimate goal of releasing a record for those with the ambition! If you are interested, contact Watford School of Music or show up on a Thursday evening to see what it's all about.
COME AND LEARN AN INSTRUMENT AT WSM(individual or group)
Brass Cornet, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium & Tuba
Strings Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon
Percussion
Singing
Recorder
Drum Kit
Guitar Classical and Electric
Piano/Keyboard
Harp
Theory / A Level / Music Technology and much much more!
ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS
Group Brass Lessons for Beginners
Wednesday: 16.15-17.00
for children in school years 4, 5 & 6
Brass Attack! NEW
Wednesday: 17.15-18.00
for Primary school age brass players
Brass Band NEW
Wednesday: 18.00-19.00
for brass players at Secondary school who are Grade 4 standard and above
Beginners’ String Orchestra
Friday: 16.15- 17.00
for String players who have been learning for 2 terms
This is a first ensemble experience and is an introduction to orchestral playing skills.
Junior String Orchestra
Saturday: 08.30- 09.15
this orchestra follows on from Beginner Strings and is for players of nominally Grade 1 to 2 standard
As well as practising the Strings skills they have already learned, students will learn the elements of ensemble playing.
Repertoire Strings
Saturday: 09.15-10.15
this orchestra follows on from Junior Strings
Requires good sight-reading skills and a minimum standard of Grade 2 or equivalent. Some position shifting may be required. As well as practising all the string skills that they have learned, the players learn formal aspects of orchestral playing and have a lot of fun!
String Sinfonia
Saturday: 10.15-11.15
this group follows Repertoire Strings
For String players with good sight-reading skills and a minimum standard of Grade 4 or equivalent. Confident position shifting and some vibrato required.
Senior Strings
Saturday: 11.15-12.30
this orchestra requies a minimum stanard of post Grade 6 a well rounded technique with confident shifting into all positions and well developed vibrato skills.
For experienced orchestral players who wish to tackle professional string orchestra repertoire and perform to a high level.
Watford School of Music Youth Orchestra
Friday 17.15 - 20:00
Entry to this orchestra is by audition only and requires all pupils to be at least Grade 7 or equivalent. Standard professional symphony orchestra repertoire is studied in full and in sectional rehearsals.
WIND BANDS
Junior Wind Band
Tuesday: 16.45-17.45
children aged 9 - 13 years who are Grade 1 to 3 or equivalent standard are introduced to the enjoyment of playing in a band
Concert Band
Tuesday: 17.45-18.45
for children of Secondary school age who are Grade 4 - 6 or equivalent standard
SINGING AND MUSIC THEATRE
Junior Choir - Sing it, Act it!
Saturday: 10.30-11.15
a singing group with an emphasis on songs from popular genres, including music theatre. This activity is available to children attending an 'Explorer' class.
Soul Singers
Monday: 17.30-18.45
for age 14 upwards including adults
No experience necessary. A wide range of music is performed including gospel, soul, pop, rock, jazz and blues. Regular performances are given throughout the year.
Show Choir NEW
Monday: 19.00-20.00
for boys and girls aged 12 years and above, singing contemporary 'Glee-type' songs, as well as dance
Watford Youth Music Theatre - New
Tuesday : 19.00 -21.00
Following the successful taster day, this activity is re-launched after February 2011 half-term. There will be a host of opportunities available for young people who are interested in singing, dancing or acting. Weekly classes will aim to help the participants develop their musical theatre skills and work towards being part of a fully staged production in a local theatre.
The Watford Youth Music Theatre group, run by Hertfordshire Music Service, is led by extremely talented music, dance and drama specialists. The youth group meets every Tuesday, during term time, at Watford School of Music, 7pm-9pm.
MUSIC FOR THE UNDER 5's
Music for Babies and Toddlers
Wednesday: 10.00-10.45
for Children aged 0-3
These classes are run on a drop-in basis. Explore the basic elements of music and have fun with your baby.
Dalcroze Eurythmics (Pre-School)
Monday: 14.15-15.00
for children aged 3 to 4 years
These daytime classes introduce small children to music through singing, rhythm games and use of simple instruments.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics
Monday: 16.30-17.15 (4 - 5 yrs)
Tuesday: 16.30-17.15 (5 - 6 yrs)
Wednesday: 16.30-17.15 (6 - 7 yrs)
for children ages 4+ to 7 years
Eurhythmics offers a very good basis for children preparing to take up an instrument and complementing what they learn in music lessons and at Key Stage 1.
JUNIOR MUSIC SCHOOL
Foundation Class
Saturday: 09.00-09.40, 10.35-11.15 or 11.35 - 12.15
for Nursery- and Reception-age children
These classes involve a variety of activities including singing, playing and exploring Percussion instruments and responding to music in different ways.
Music Makers Class
Saturday: 09.45-10.35, 10.30 - 11.20 or 11.30-12.20
for Years 1 and 2
Children follow a programme which develops their skills in singing, sound exploration and composition, listening responses and performance skills with an emphasis on playing tuned Percussion instruments.
Year Two Recorders
Saturday: 09.15-10.15 or 11.20-12.20
an alternative option to The Music Makers Class
This gives Year 2 children the opportunity to receive tuition on the Recorder and continue to develop their musical skills in singing, composition and musicianship.
Explorer Classes for junior aged children
Saturday: times vary depending on instrumental option
classes combine learning to play an instrument with a musical programme which explores composition, improvisation, theory and music from a range of different genres
Explorer classes include the Junior Choir 'Sing it, Act it' (see below).
- The Explore instrumental options include Recorder, String (Violin, Viola, 'Cello or Double Bass), Percussion, Keyboard, Guitar or songwriters. Some of these options are only available to older children.
- Please speak to the office staff for more details on options, timing and availability.
Sing it, Act it!
Saturday: 10.30-11.15
A singing group with an emphasis on songs from popular genres, including music theatre, for children in Years 3-6. This activity is available to children attending an 'Explorer' class.
GROUPS AND ACTIVITES- Weekly Timetable:
Monday
14.15 - 15.00 Pre-School Music (3 yrs)
16.30 - 17.15 Dalcroze Eurhythmics (4 yrs)
17.00 - 18.00 Theory Class
17.30 - 18.45 Soul Singers
18.15 - 19.00 Recorder Ensemble (sessional)
19.00 - 20.00 Show Choir
20.00 - 21.15 Adult Wind Band
Tuesday
16.30 - 17.15 Dalcroze Eurhythmics (5 yrs)
16.45 - 17.45 Junior Wind Band
17.45 - 18.45 Concert Band
19.00 - 21.00 Watford Youth Music Theatre
Wednesday
10.00 - 11.45 Dalcroze Eurhythmics (babies & toddlers)
16.30 - 17.15 Dalcroze Eurhythmics (6 yrs +)
16.30 - 17.30 Japanese Taiko Drumming
17.15 - 18.00 Brass Attack!
18.00 - 19.00 Brass Band
19.30 - 21.00 Guitar Project (weekly)
Thursday
19.30 - 21.30 One Voice Watford Community Choir
Friday
16.15 - 17.00 Beginner strings
17.15 - 20.00 Youth Orchestra
16.15 - 17.15 String Chamber Music
Saturday
08.30 - 09.15 Junior String Orchestra
09.00 - 10.00 Theory Class
09.15 - 10.15 Repertoire String Orchestra
10.00 - 11.00 Theory Class
10.15 - 11.15 String Sinfonia
11.00 - 12.00 Theory Class
11.15 - 12.30 Senior String Orchestra
09.00 - 09.40 Junior Music School - Foundation or 10.35 - 11.15 or 11.35 - 12.15
09.45 - 10.35 Junior Music School - Music Makers 10.30 - 11.20 or 11.30 - 12.20
09.15 - 10.15 Year 2 Recorders or 11.20 - 12.20
09.15 - 11.15 Recorder Explorers (first year players) or 10.20 - 12.20
09.15 - 11.15 Recorder Explorers (second year players)
09.15 - 11.15 String Explorers
09.15 - 11.15 Percussion Explorers
10.20 - 12.20 Keyboard Explorers
10.20 - 12.20 Guitar Explorers
09.30 - 11.15 Songwriters Explorers
10.30 - 11.15 Sing it, Act it!