No instrument teachers - implications for secondary orchestras

[DressedForWarmth]

DS(8) is desperate to learn how to play the trumpet, and has been for a number of years now.

He's quite a shy boy and not very sporty, so we thought this would be a good thing for him to learn, thinking that as he reached secondary school it would allow him to join bands and orchestras, so that he could make friends with people who are similarly interested in music.

However, we're really struggling to find a teacher for him. It seems that the few private music teachers we have in our area only each piano, guitar, or drums. There don't seem to be any teachers that cover strings, brass, or wind instruments. I've even looked further afield, but the closest one is at least an hour's drive away on a good day, meaning a 2.5+ hour round trip each week for a lesson. School isn't an option as they only teach piano, guitar or drums too.

What I'm now wondering is that if there aren't any music teachers locally, does this mean that as no children are learning these instruments that there are no longer school (or local) orchestras any more?

Where should I be looking for a teacher, or is this just how things are these days if you don't live in a big city?

Thanks

Oh hooray, your update sounds much more positive! Well done. Hope he loves it as much as he thinks he will :)

Hurray! Hope DS is tootling away soon with a great teacher!

Great news! Do come and join the music chat thread and tell everyone about your ds's progress!

Council music service should be your first port of call if there is one.
I’ve been impressed with ours even though it’s expensive

some kids brass bands round here apparently take beginners but not sure how that works in practice

If there are any music (instrument) shops within reach, try asking there too. Again, might depend where you are in the country but I know one local to us has workshops and ensembles.

'Third cornet' is how it works. They pop them down there to go parp parp parp paaaaaarp approximately in time and/or tune while the older ones do the twiddly bits.

Glad you have found some leads to chase up. We went for private lessons as more flexible. Their teachers play in professional orchestras and local conservatoire, so they might be places to contact too. Do join the music thread as well, loads of people to chat with and share experiences.

Great you located your music service. My DS gave up the trumpet a couple of years ago but if he had kept going he would have had the opportunity for free lessons through arm cadets and would have been able to play in their (very good) band. Could be an option for your DS later on.