Trumpet School Orchestra

[hellolondo]

Hello,

My DS has recently started learning the trumpet and is currently at a Grade 2 level. We are moving to London, and as a foreign mom, I’m unsure about how trumpet lessons work in London.

How do parents typically find teachers for lessons? Do children participate in orchestra activities at school? Are there brass bands available for kids outside of school?

Additionally, how should we prepare for grade examinations? My DS is in Year 7; what grade level is typically required to join the school orchestra in general?

I appreciate any advice you can offer, as I’m quite new to this!

Thank you!

You might get more answers on the spring/ summer music thread as there are some London mums there. Not all schools will have an orchestra but there might be some Saturday music activities at a hub. Brass bands often have a junior section too (although they may be cornet rather than trumpet, I'm not a brass player so not too up on this scene) Hope you find something as it's a great thing to be part of.

@hellolondo

Which part of London are you moving to and when, OP?

Do you know which school he is going to be educated at once you arrive?

www.rcm.ac.uk/teachingservice/

Op it really varies from school to school whether there's an orchestra at all, what level it is - often those with more serious music departments will also have junior ensembles so there would be something to play in even if the "school orchestra" is a higher level.

Some children have lessons in school, some have lessons privately after school. Most schools will offer trumpet I think, even our extremely non musical state school manages to. To find a good teacher out of school - tends to go on personal recommendations, but if you don't know anyone to ask there are websites where teachers list their details. I did this when we moved to our area and ended up with a fab teacher for DD by dint of asking the first two who didn't have space who they'd recommend.

For the keener students there are also some Saturday school options where they can have a lesson, orchestra or band and maybe a choir or music theory lessons too. The top music college ones are very competitive and high standard but there are more down to earth versions too. We're not London but our local centre does lessons and ensembles from beginner up.

Try googling youth music <name of borough> to look for nearby ensembles, or youth wind band/concert band, brass band, orchestra etc. Also recommend tracking down one of the long running music threads when you know roughly where you're based and hopefully there may be people with local knowledge.

There seems to be a huge amount going on in London, I'm sure you won't have a problem finding lessons and ensembles if you look around. Maybe start with what school offer and go from there?

There might be a brass band or a wind band in addition to an orchestra. Your individual brass teacher and/or school music department will point you towards n the right direction

Brass bands are indeed cornet rather than trumpet, but players can easily switch between them.

All of London is split into 4 music hubs who provide ensembles, orchestras and music lessons in their areas either at schools or in music centres. Type in your area you're moving to and "music hub" and you'll be able to see which hub is responsible for your area and you can ask them about opportunities.

What sort of house are you moving into

You might find your neighbours will complain a lot if your DS practices at home

I know I would if someone was blasting their badly played trumpet in my ear

It's perfectly possible to practice within sociable hours. You can get practice mutes. If it's terrace or flats, there will no doubt be other noise too. People who live in all sorts of houses are allowed to play instruments and you have to be a beginner before you get better. I'm sure a discussion with neighbours can help sort out an amicable arrangement in case of shift workers etc.

Thanks loopy, a much more London specific answer.
The only thing I'd add is if he's going to a private school (may also be confusingly called public school or independent school, one where parents pay fees anyway) then it won't be the music hub organising in school lessons - they do their own thing, but there will be instrumental teachers and school will tell you how to sign up.