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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Music in schools

34 replies

Userzzzzz · 03/10/2019 12:22

I’ve started looking around schools for my 3 year old for next year and I’m a bit disappointed that my favourite school overall seems weaker on music. They get the chance to learn keyboard and recorder but that’s it and there are no orchestra or groups other than a choir. How common is this in state primaries now? And if you want children to learn do most people do it outside of school? I went to a fairly rubbish school (ofsted inadequate) but most people had the option to learn an orchestral instrument and there were loads of groups and opportunities to play. I’m starting to wonder now with hindsight whether I just got lucky (there was a v passionate music teacher) and my expectations are out of synch with what’s normal. Or is my prospective school just a bit rubbish at music provision?

OP posts:
RedskyLastNight · 03/10/2019 13:04

If the county have a music service you will be able to organise instrumental tuition and any amount of orchestras/ensembles groups through them.

DC's primary shared peri teachers with the local secondary school but they only offered a limited number of instruments (about 4 I think) and whilst they managed to get together enough children for a string ensemble, most of them left at the same age and the group folded.
TBH I found at primary it was a real pain having lessons during the day, it so often seemed to cause logistical issues with whatever they were doing in class.

GaraMedouar · 03/10/2019 12:56

Unfortunately music is struggling particularly in primary schools. You'd be lucky to find an orchestra. My kids school used to offer violin, keyboard, piano, guitar, flute, clarinet. Now the only instrument is violin and only a handful of pupils take lessons. County music offers lessons and groups on a weekend. It is hard if you work full time. My DD plays violin and has lessons in school but also does a county group orchestra on a Saturday. My DS does trumpet but has private lessons one evening in the week.

magnaconcordia · 03/10/2019 12:52

Oh yes, they also had a choir but they didn't have a choir teacher so some parents and class teachers were helping on rotation. Not ideal at all..

Original poster
Userzzzzz · 03/10/2019 12:49

I don’t mind paying but there doesn’t even really seem the option of outside providers doing orchestral instruments in the school which i find a bit sad as I know the county do offer a music service. I was never brilliant but got so much enjoyment out of playing. I will look at outside lessons but I don’t know if I’ll be able to fit it in around work.

OP posts:
Raphael34 · 03/10/2019 12:49

My school doesn’t have music lessons or an orchestra. I’ve never even heard of a primary school with an orchestra

magnaconcordia · 03/10/2019 12:48

I suppose it's quite normal for state primaries not to have any orchestra. DS's school didn't have one. In fact they didn't have any ensemble, band, nothing. They had a peri for violin and piano but the progress was very slow and only few seemed to reach grade 1 or 2 by the time of leaving. Children who learnt outside school seemed to progress better to be honest. The local council run music service seems a good choice as they tend to offer affordable lesson fees and although audition is required for some advanced groups, they also have lots of ensembles/orchestras/bands for beginners.

PatriciaHolm · 03/10/2019 12:37

It's pretty normal tbh, there just isn't the budget these days for supporting music lessons/ teachers. You may find the school facilitates external providers to come and teach if parents are prepared to pay, that is normal, but many schools won't provide much else other than a choir.

MollysMummy2010 · 03/10/2019 12:35

My daughters school has a choir and an orchestra, and specialist music teachers come in for various instruments so it is out there. Have to pay for everything though.

Comefromaway · 03/10/2019 12:29

Orchestras are not very common in primary schools, often there isnlt a teacher will the right skillset. But many local authorities have county ensembles run at local music centres that take children from all the schools in the area. Some will be auditioned so they have to be of a certain standard, some will be training groups.