Music Centres in West Herts - Dacorum and Watford

Music Centres in West Herts

Home of the Dacorum Music School and the Watford School of Music.

Music lessons and prices

Discover our different lesson types, the cost and sign up.

Parent area – log in

Groups and ensembles

Playing music with others is a fantastic way to improve. We have a range of countywide groups for all ages.

Term dates, schedules and events

Check out what's on and when we are open.

Dacorum Music School

Contact details and how to find us

Watford School of Music

Contact details and how to find us

Why study here?

Find out the benefits of playing a musical instrument with us.

Individual music lessons and prices

Current prices

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 £65 per term – get access to one ensemble of your choice.
£115 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 West Herts and across Hertfordshire

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

All ensembles in Hertfordshire

Terms dates, teaching calendars, concerts and events

DMS & WSM term dates and teaching calendars

Autumn term 2026

Open: 7 September 2026.
Half term closure: 25 October 2026 – 1 November 2026.
Opening times are restricted to additional lessons only from 7 December (excluding Saturday 12 December).
Closed: 19 December 2026.

Spring term 2027

Open from: 4 January 2027.
Half term closure: 14 – 21 February 2027.
Opening times are restricted to additional lessons only from 22 March.
Closed: 26 March 2027.

Summer term 2027

Open: 12 April 2027.
Half term closure: 30 May 2027 – 6 June 2027.
Opening times are restricted to additional lessons only from 6 July (excluding Saturday 10 July).
Closed: 23 July 2027.

Teaching calendars

Instrumental teaching calendar – West Herts term dates 2026-2027 (printable) (PDF, 118KB)

Ensemble teaching calendar – West Herts term dates 2026-2027 (printable) (PDF, 146KB)

West Herts concerts and events 2026-27

**West Herts concerts and events**
Date and time	Event	Location	Details
18 Sept 2026	Open Orchestra	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	Join us for an immersive open rehearsal with the Watford Youth Orchestra. Suitable for grades 6 and above from across the region. This is a free event. Tickets available here.
21 Sept 2026	Concerto Competition, Preliminary Round	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall, L12	Preliminary audition for Concerto Competition recital evening (invitation only – speak to your teacher). Tickets on request.
28 Sept 2026	Concerto Competition	St Johns Church, Boxmoor	Recital evening with an esteemed accompanist (invitation only – speak to your teacher). Tickets on request.
19 Oct 2026	Twilight talks	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	A free event for parents and carers to learn more about musical opportunities going on in the local area – tickets TBC.
20 Oct 2026	Twilight talks	Dacorum Music School, N1	A free event for parents and carers to learn more about musical opportunities going on in the local area – tickets TBC.
22 Oct 2026	PVI Training Session	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	School or teacher event only.
23 Oct 2026	Teacher CPD with Royal Opera House	TBC	School or teacher event only.
14 Nov 2026	RockFEST	Pioneer Youth Club, St Albans	For all Rock groups at DMS, WSM, SAMS & Mid Herts – tickets TBC.
23 Nov 2026	Student Performance Platform (2 performances – 5.15pm and 7.15pm)	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	An evening to celebrate musical progress across the region (DMS & WSM) on an individual basis. Split across two performances taking place at the Watford School of Music – tickets TBC.
27 Nov 2026	Music Making Day – Beginner Day	Dacorum Music School	Further information to come – tickets TBC.
1 Dec 2026	West Winter Prom	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	Recorder, Flute, Guitar & Wind Band Ensembles from DMS & WSM – tickets TBC.
5 Dec 2026	DMS – Saturday Showcase	Dacorum Music School	A performance for all DMS Saturday Ensembles. Non-ticketed event.
5 Dec 2026	WSM – Saturday Showcase	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	A performance for all WSM Saturday Ensembles. Non-ticketed event.
11 Dec 2026	Youth Orchestra Concert	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	A performance from our flagship orchestra.
12 Dec 2026	String Chamber Christmas Concert	Watford School of Music, Foyer	A performance from String Chamber groups. Non-ticketed event.
12 Dec 2026	(County Youth Choir & West Schools) Hammond Foundation Event	St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield	School or teacher event only.
21 Jan 2027	Trip to Royal Opera House - Magic Flute	Royal Opera House	School or teacher event only. Non-ticketed event.
28 Feb 2027	Flute Day	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	Further information to come.
8 March 2027	Student Performance Platform (2 performances – 5.15pm and 7.15pm)	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	An evening to celebrate musical progress across the region (DMS & WSM) on an individual basis. Split across two performances.
16 March 2027	WOOFYT	St Francis of Assisi Church, Hemel Hempstead	School or teacher event only.
17 March 2027	WOOFYT	St Francis of Assisi Church, Hemel Hempstead	School or teacher event only.
19 March 2027	Youth Orchestra Concert	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	A performance from our flagship orchestra.
20 March 2027	Music for Youth - TBC	TBC	A project to support musical learning across West, Mid & South Herts. More information to come.
8 June 2027	Music Making Day	Watford School of Music	More information to come.
15 June 2027	Student Performance Platform (2 performances – 5.15pm and 7.15pm)	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	An evening to celebrate musical progress across the region (DMS & WSM) on an individual basis. Split across two performances.
24 June 2027	Big Sing - Royal Opera House at the Palace Theatre	Watford Palace Theatre	School or teacher event only.
26 June 2027	RockFEST	Pioneer Youth Club, St Albans	For all Rock groups from Music Centres across West Herts, St Albans & Mid Herts.
2 July 2027	Youth Orchestra Concert	Concert Hall	A performance from our flagship orchestra.
3 July 2027	Mid, South and West Herts Chamber Concert	Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts	For Chamber groups from Music Centres across West Herts, St Albans & Mid Herts.
6 July 2027	West Summer Prom	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	Recorder, Flute, Guitar & Wind Band Ensembles from DMS & WSM.
7 July 2027	Transition Project	Kings Langley School	School or teacher event only. Non-ticketed event.
10 July 2027	DMS Saturday Showcase	Dacorum Music School	A performance for all DMS Saturday Ensembles. Non-ticketed event.
10 July 2027	WSM Saturday Showcase	Watford School of Music	A performance for all WSM Saturday Ensembles. Non-ticketed event.
11 July 2027	ShowStoppers Show	Watford School of Music, Concert Hall	Our annual show performed by the wonderful Dacorum Music School's ShowStoppers

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 at the Watford School of Music

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.

Hear first-hand what it's like to learn and play at Dacorum Music School

Hear first-hand what it's like to learn and play across Watford and Three Rivers

Dacorum Music School

The Hemel Hempstead School (North Block)
Heath Lane
Hemel Hempstead
HP1 1TT
Find on a map

Get in touch during term-time hours:

01442 453400
HMSwest@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Term-time hours:

Monday - Friday: 4pm - 7.30pm
Saturdays: 9am - 2pm

Drop-off and pick-up info

For KS2 pupils or below, please:

Drop-off your child inside the centre
Pick-up your child from inside the centre

Parents and carers are welcome to wait inside the building.

West Herts staff

Nyree O'Brien - Regional Manager

Anna Golebiowski - Regional Development Lead

Kelly Simpson - Regional Development Lead

Mark Taylor - Regional Development Lead

Robert Clarke - Regional Business & Administration Manager

Amanda Robson - Reception Administrator

August Head - Reception Administrator

Monica Mills - Reception Administrator

Roukshana Zaman - Reception Administrator