Newsletter - May 2017

Letters have been going home over the last couple of weeks with important information for the remaining weeks of this term. If you haven't seen sight of this yet,  (deep at the bottom of the book bags?) don't worry, all the information can be found below. 

Exams!

It’s been a busy year for exams with sessions taking place each term and we still have more exams to come. Guitar, Vocals, and Trinity Piano exams will take place in June and July and we expect to receive dates and times within the next few weeks for those students who were entered at the start of the April.

Summer Performance

After the success of the Annual Concerts at the Gatehouse in March, we wanted to add an event to the summer term to give those students wanting to perform solo or in a smaller group, the opportunity to do so.

At the Gatehouse shows, we have live ‘band’ performances, where students play in larger groups with a live drummer and full band. This allows us to offer all of students the chance to perform live and get real experience of playing with other musicians in a typical band scenario.

On Sunday 9th July, we have hired St Mary’s Church from 2pm-4.30pm and will have a selection of solo performers and small groups on vocals, guitar, piano and keyboard, followed by refreshments. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all of the students in the school at this event as there simply isn’t enough time, but please do let us know if you would like to take part. To cover costs, there will be a minimal ticket charge of £2.50 per adult ticket and no charge for performers or children. Tickets will go on sale week commencing Monday 12th June.

 Re-Enrolment

Towards the end of June, we will be sending out information for re-enrolment in September, along with term dates for the next academic year. All enrolment forms and Standing order forms will need to be returned before we break up on Friday 28th July and if any students require an alternative class or lesson time from September, we would ask you to give us as much notice as possible to make these arrangements.

Facebook/Twitter/Website

Don’t forget, important information and term dates can be found on our website and our Facebook and Twitter pages are regularly updated.

If you have any questions or queries at all, please get in touch.

 

Newsletter - April 2017

We have recently sent home letters with further information about DVD's and photos from our Stafford Gatehouse concert and also forthcoming exam sessions. If the letter hasn't made it home, you can find it all the information below. 

We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’ to everyone who took part in the concerts at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on 5th March. Every performance was fantastic and we are so proud of all the students involved. We were so lucky to have so many student and parent helpers who gave their time to help us in so many ways. Thanks to them and the great team of staff at the music school, we could make such a big event possible.

As always we can see ways to make it even better next year and have already had some great feedback. If you haven’t let us know your thoughts, there are some feedback sheets available at the music school or you can give us your views online at www.staffordmusicschool.co.uk/concertfeedback. We take all of your views into account and it helps us to plan for next year.

Concert DVDs

Each year, our concerts are filmed to give you the opportunity to re-live the shows at home. If you would like to purchase a copy we have a small supply now available to purchase. Please reserve your copy at reception or send us a message if you would like one. Both shows are available on one DVD which is priced at £15 and can be paid by cash only.  

Photos

Photos from both concerts were taken by Garry from 353photography.  He has captured some amazing images, which can be viewed online at https://threefivethreephotography.smugmug.com/Music/Gigs. All images can be downloaded from the website for just £2, or you can order them printed according to size requirements. There may not be photos of all students in the collection. With sometimes less than three minutes for each performance, it can be difficult to capture each performer from various points around the stage.

Exams

This term we have had exam sessions for both Piano and Guitar students and we have one more small session of exams next term for guitar and vocal students. Letters will have already been sent out to those students who are ready and exams will take place at Wolverhampton on a Sunday in May, June or July.  The next session of Yamaha Keyboard exams is already being planned for October/November 2017 and if you have any questions about exams, please let us know.

Summer Performance

Our Gatehouse shows are our big event for the year. We are hoping to arrange a much smaller event to finish off the summer term and give some of our students the opportunity to perform solos, duets and so on. We would intend this to be a much smaller, relaxed ‘Sunday afternoon’ performance and hope to have arrangements in place after Easter.                  

We break up for Easter after lessons on Saturday 8th April and return on Monday 24th April and continue through until we break up for Summer on Friday 28th July.

If you have any other enquiries, please feel free to contact me. From all of us at the Music School, we wish you all a very happy Easter holiday!

Exam Timetables - March 2017

Before the Easter break, we have exam sessions for both Guitar and Piano students. 

Rock School Guitar exams will take place on Sunday 19th March at the Wolverhampton centre. Please check the timetable below for scheduled times. 

 

Rock School Guitar Exam Timetable

Trinity Piano Exams will take place in Stone on Thursday 30th March. Please check your times below. 

Trinity Piano Exam Timetable

We would like to wish all of the students preparing for exams lots of luck. Keep practicing and always ask your teacher if you need any help!

Concert Success at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre!

On Sunday 5th March 2017, the students of Stafford Music School took to the stage at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre in Eastgate Street, to perform two live concerts. 

Featuring a variety of styles of music, the students played a mixed set of classics including songs from Bruno Mars, Muse, Michael Jackson, Toto and even an unaccompanied vocal performance of 'Cups' from Pitch Perfect by our young vocalists. Keyboard, Piano and Guitar students combined with Vocal students and a professional drummer to deliver show stopping performances for the audience to enjoy. 

Our younger keyboard and piano players performed songs from our Junior Course . 'Panda' , 'Sea Otter' and 'Popcorn' delighted the audience in both shows. 

We had a classical moment too, with a relaxing keyboard ensemble of the popular 'Canon' which provided a great contrast to the live band songs. 

The students were all outstanding and performed like true professionals. Thank you and 'well done' to all! 

Feedback from our parents and students has so far been overwhelmingly positive but we would also like to get your thoughts and ideas for improvements down on paper, ready for next year! 

There is a short questionnaire which can be filled out online. Please follow the link below.

Concert 2017 Questionnaire

You can also fill out a paper copy on your next visit to the music school. 

Concert Rehearsals & Registration - Sunday 5th March 2017

CONCERT REHEARSALS AT STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE

On Sunday 5th March, all songs will be rehearsed at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre between 10am-1pm prior to the shows in the afternoon.  

Rehearsal times can be found below.

Performers should arrive 15mins before their rehearsal, through the entrance nearest the coffee shop (not the box office) and register at the bottom of the stairs.

Performers will be registered at the stairs and staff will escort each group into the theatre in readiness for their rehearsal. After rehearsing, they will be escorted back to parents and de- registered at the bottom of the stairs. Parents and guardians will be asked to wait downstairs during rehearsals.

CONCERTS - 2PM & 4.30PM START

Performers should arrive 35mins before their show time (1.25pm or 3.55pm) and be registered in the Mountbatten Suite. Staff will escort performers into the theatre via backstage.  Performers will be seated in the theatre throughout the show.

For those children aged 7 and under who will be seated with parents throughout the show, they will still need to register in the Mountbatten Suite and then enter the theatre to be seated with parents.

Parents and guardians can then enter the theatre and take their seats from 30 minutes before (1.30pm/4.00pm).

At the end of each concert, performers will leave with staff, one group at a time and be de registered and released to parents in the Mountbatten Suite.  We ask that only one parent or guardian collects each student from the Mountbatten suite and that other family members wait in the bar area to avoid congestion.

CONCERT REHEARSALS AT STAFFORD GATEHOUSE

SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2017

10.00 SUPERSTITION

10.15 FEELING GOOD

10.30 GRENADE

10.45 POPCORN

11.00 BRAVE/CUPS

11.15 SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE

11.30 AFRICA

11.45 CANON

12.00 CHASING CARS

12.15 OTTER/PANDA

12.30 BUILT THIS CITY

12.45 M JACKSON

Tickets for the show are still available and can only be purchased from the box office at the Gatehouse.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or are unsure which show you or your child are performing in. Most students will be performing in just one of the two shows, with the exception of some of our vocalists. 

New Vocal Classes

From Monday 30th January we will add another afternoon and evening of vocal tuition to our teaching schedule. On Mondays and Tuesdays we have a variety of vocal classes for different ages and stages and limited space now for one to one tuition. 

If you have are looking to improve your vocal style, want to take exams or just sing for fun, our experienced teachers can work with you to improve technique, confidence and performance skills. Many youngsters attending local theatre groups come to us to focus on their singing style and confidence. Our teachers are able to work with them ensuring a fun session with structure and improvement each week. We encourage students to take part in live performances with our annual Stafford Gatehouse show (this year in March) and the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church.

For more information or to book a place in one of our classes, please get in touch via our contact us page or call 07940 228000.

Important Concert Information - Sunday 5th March 2017

Concerts will take place on Sunday 5th March at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. There will be two performances at 2pm & 4.30pm and most students will only perform in one of these shows. Please check with reception or your teacher as to which you concert you will perform at.

Students will play in groups with teachers on stage to help and conduct.

Each concert should last about 1hr 30mins each and we will have a variety of musical styles, with singers, guitarists, keyboardists and pianists combined.

Tickets go on sale from Monday 30th January and will be priced at £8.50 adults, £4.50 Concessions (Senior Citizen/Under 16) plus a booking fee of 50p per ticket. Tickets can ONLY be purchased directly from the Gatehouse at the Box office situated at the Gatehouse or via the website www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk.

All performers AGED 8 & OVER will be seated in the theatre in a designated section throughout the concerts and will not need to purchase a ticket.

Performers AGED 7 & UNDER will be seated with parents throughout the concert. You should ask for a ‘performers free ticket’ when booking. Members of staff will escort students from the audience to the backstage area to perform.

Rehearsals will take place at the Music School on Sunday 12th February. Please see the timetable below. Junior Play for Keeps classes will rehearse in class and ONLY need to attend the Gatehouse rehearsal.

On the day of the concerts, there will be short rehearsals between 10.00am – 1pm at the Gatehouse Theatre, to enable sound checks and to give students the opportunity to play through the songs. It is very important that as many students as possible attend these rehearsals, so that they feel comfortable with the venue and we can ensure the best sound quality.                                          

If there are any parents who would like to help out either during the concert, or with moving equipment to the theatre, please let us know.

Photography

We ask that there is no flash photography while the students are playing as it can disturb the performance.  We will film both concerts and produce a DVD of which you may reserve at reception, after the shows take place. If you do not wish your child to be filmed, please let us know.

Important information regarding the concert will be posted on Facebook (search for Stafford Music School) and Twitter (@musicstafford), as well as our website www.staffordmusicschool.co.uk. So please keep an eye on these pages to keep up to date.

Further information will follow regarding registration on the day of the concerts.

After the success of last year’s concerts, held at the Gatehouse for the first time with a completely live format, we are really looking forward to seeing our students perform again. For our new students, there is a short teaser on our You Tube channel from 2016 to give you idea of what to expect.

If you have any queries at all, please let us know. 

Rehearsals at Stafford Music School

Sunday 12th February 2017

10.30 AFRICA
11.00 BRAVE/CUPS
11.30 GRENADE
12.00 SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE
12.30 BUILT THIS CITY
1.00 CHASING CARS
1.30 LUNCH
2.15 FEELING GOOD
2.45 CANON
3.15 M JACKSON
3.45 SUPERSTITION

Happy New Year!

After a busy first term we are all pleased to be back after the Christmas break. 

This term we have our annual concert at Stafford Gatehouse on Sunday 5th March followed by Rock School Guitar and Trinity Piano & Keyboard exams before Easter. 

From the end of January we have a brand new night of Vocal lessons on Mondays and a new keyboard class on Wednesdays has already begun. 

A letter has gone out this week to all of our current students. If it hasn't made its way home yet, you can access it here

Christmas Tree Festival

After such a festive start to December last year, we are once again very happy to be taking part in the Christmas Tree festival at St Mary's Church on Saturday 3rd December.

We are looking forward to some solo performances on the grand piano, another trio of guitars and vocal performances from our singing students. After our live band shows at Stafford Gatehouse earlier this year, we are looking forward to a smaller, more intimate concert, which gives our students the opportunity to perform solo or take part in smaller group performances. 

Please come along on Saturday 3rd December to view the many christmas trees on display and hear our students perform in a really stunning setting. Our students will perform between 10-10.30am and will hopefully give your December a most festive start! 

Yamaha/Trinity Exams - 6th & 7th November 2016

Hopefully all of our students are fitting in lots of extra practice time in preparation for the forthcoming exams.

Don't forget to practice all elements of the test across the week- Scales, Broken Chords, Arpeggios, Joggings, Percussion, Improvisation, Chord Playing, Sight Reading, Aural Awareness, Music Knowledge and those all important three songs with hands together! If you need any new ways to practice or help with how to practice, please speak to your teacher - we can help! 

You can find exam timetables below, so you can check the time of your exam and make arrangements to be there. Most of our Grade 6 students and a few students taking Grade 2 and 4 will take their exams on the Monday, so please check your date and time carefully.  Please arrive 15 minutes early and don't forget your book! 

 

Sunday 6th November Exam Timetable

Monday 7th November Exam Timetable

 

New Courses starting soon!

New classes will commence in October on Keyboard and Guitar courses.

Free trial sessions will be available in September with guitar lessons available to students ages 7 and over and keyboard lessons for ages 5 and up. 

Spaces are limited and must be booked IN ADVANCE. Please call 07940 228000 or email office@staffordmusicschool.co.uk to book your place. 

We also have limited space in our vocal groups which take place on Tuesdays. If you are interested in singing and would like to improve your technique and skills we can help. Get in touch for further information. 

 

Stafford Arts Festival - Saturday 17th September

We are very pleased to be taking part in this years Stafford Arts Festival. 

On Saturday 17th September we will be offering free music lessons on Guitar and Keyboard and hosting a 'Coffee Concert' at the end of the day at the music school. 

Lessons are available for aspiring guitarists from the age of 7 and keyboard lessons are for children aged 5 and up. Spaces for free lessons are limited and must be booked IN ADVANCE. Please call us on 07940 228000 or email office@staffordmusicschool.co.uk to book your place. 

Click for further information on Stafford Arts Festival

 

Summer is Coming & Term Dates 2016 -2017

We have had a fantastic year at Stafford Music School.  Four exam sessions on piano, keyboard and guitar (ALL with fantastic results!).

Festive performances at St Mary's Church at Christmas and two show stopping concerts at Stafford Gatehouse in June - we almost don't want to break up for summer!  

The current term finishes on Saturday 30th July and we return on Saturday 3rd September, refreshed and raring to go! We would like to thank all of our students and families for their support this year and wish you a restful summer break. 

Below are the term dates for next year. We follow Staffordshire School term dates fairly closely, but do guarantee 43 lessons per year. Please note we do teach through half terms. 

Term 1

Saturday 3rd September - Monday 19th December 2016

Term 2

Tuesday 3rd January - Saturday 8th April 2017

Term 3

Monday 24th April - Friday 28th July 2017

Important Concert Information!

IMPORTANT SUMMER CONCERT INFORMATION

We have less than two weeks to go before our Summer Concerts on Sunday 26th June at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. 

There are two performances at 2pm & 4.30pm. PLEASE ENSURE you have the CORRECT TICKETS as there are very few students performing in both shows. 

All performers will be seated in the theatre in a designated section and will not need to purchase a ticket.

Performers under the age of 7 will be seated with parents throughout the concert and will need a ‘performers free ticket’. 

Chaperones will escort students from the audience to the backstage area in preparation for their performance. 

On the day of the concerts, there will be short rehearsals/sound checks between 10.15am – 1.30pm at the Gatehouse Theatre. A timetable is attached and students should arrive 15 minutes BEFORE their allocated rehearsal time. Students should report to our reception staff at the bottom of the stairs after entering the main doors of the Gatehouse. Here they will be registered and then escorted backstage. 

The doors will open 25 minutes prior to the start of each show. Performers will again need to report to our reception staff at the bottom of the stairs and be registered before chaperones escort them to seats in the theatre.

We expect each show to last no longer than 1hour 30minutes. 

Please check our Facebook page (search for Stafford Music School) and Twitter (@musicstafford), as well as our website www.staffordmusicschool.co.uk for updates and information. 

If you have any queries at all, please let us know.

Many Thanks,

Laura Thatcher

Principal

Stafford Music School

Concert Rehearsal Timetables

Concert Rehearsals will take place at the Music School on Sunday 15th May and Sunday 12th June. These rehearsals are for students performing with a full band. Please check with your teacher if you are not sure. Those students not involved in these rehearsals will rehearse in their usual lesson times. On the day of the concert, there will be sound check rehearsals for ALL STUDENTS at the Gatehouse Theatre. Please click the button below for your rehearsal times.