Free Music Tuition at Northfield

In Tune with Northfield Music Programme

In Tune with Northfield  is an exciting and pioneering programme of free instrumental tuition, ensemble experience and performance where everyone is welcome. All you need is a passion for music and a willingness to get involved!

Our aim:

To give every aspiring Northfield musician an opportunity to have fun, make friends, build confidence and achieve through music.

We offer free tuition on the following instruments:

Woodwind: Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute

Brass: Trumpet, Cornet, Baritone, Tenor horn, Trombone, Tuba

Drums

Guitar, Bass Guitar

Tuition on other instruments is available in school via TVMS.

 What will my child receive?

A 30-minute weekly lesson in a small group or individually as appropriate.

Tuition and loan of instruments is free.

A weekly ensemble session to complement their learning in lesson:

• Samba band
• Woodwind ensemble
• Guitar ensemble
• Junior band
• Senior band
• Friday Strummers (beginner guitar group)

How much does it cost?

Tuition, instrument loan costs and exam entry fees are covered by Northfield School. We feel very proud and fortunate to be able to offer this level of support to our musicians.

You will be asked to purchase a lesson book/sheet music as appropriate by your child's instrumental teacher. If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium funding,  books are provided free of charge.

Expectations- Engagement with the Programme

Lesson attendance: We expect your child to attend their instrumental lesson punctually every week. Timetables will rotate through the school day to minimise disruption to curriculum time. This means that your child's lesson time will change week on week. Timetables are displayed in the music corridor and will be shared half termly with parents and carers.

Ensemble attendance: As a recipient of free tuition via the ‘in Tune with Northfield’ programme, your child will be required to join one of our ensembles. Our aim with ensemble playing is to build friendships and to have fun! Ensemble playing is also a great way to improve instrumental technique, it is therefore an integral part of the programme. Pupils who learn an instrument with TVMS or privately are also very welcome.

Performances: we have a number of exciting ensemble performances planned in and out of school which our ensembles prepare for throughout the year. ‘In Tune with Northfield’ participants are expected to take part. We hope that you will join us to celebrate our musicians’ success.

Practice: your child’s teacher will keep you updated as to what and how much they need to practise every week. We expect participants to take full advantage of the excellent tuition provided by practising regularly. Instruments should be kept at home for daily practice between lessons.

Instrument care: we expect pupils to take good care of loaned instruments. We do understand that accidents can happen! You may wish to add your school instrument onto your household insurance policy.

Failure to engage adequately with the programme in any of the above areas may result in your child’s place being offered to a pupil on the waiting list. We do expect a reasonable level of attendance at lessons, rehearsals and performances. We will always discuss any issues with you in the first instance.

What if my child already learns an instrument in primary school?

If your child already receives small group (nb not whole class) tuition on guitars, woodwind, brass or percussion in school they will automatically be offered a place to continue learning for free through the Northfield School music programme.

Children who are learning other instruments with TVMS can continue with a TVMS teacher at Northfield.

What if my child wants to take part, but doesn’t want to learn an instrument?

No problem! We have an exciting programme of events around wider access ensembles such as choir, samba band and Friday Strummers. Just have a chat with your music teacher.

Sign up

If you are interested in signing up, please talk to your music teacher or email Miss Hird, Head of Music -  lhird@northfieldssc.org

Testimonials

My name is Samuel Chidubem.

I'm a year 11 pupil at Northfield  and one of the options that I chose, is  Music.

Picking music has helped me enhance my music skills and knowledge.

From how to use garage band, to how to identify various genre of music, as well as changing songs into another form of genre.

As a pupil at Northfield school, I have also been given a chance to learn more about how to play the drums, by having 30 minutes of drumming lessons every Wednesday with the ‘In Tune with Northfield’ Music programme.

This has had a huge positive impact on my drumming skills, as it has expanded my knowledge of how to incorporate different drumming techniques.

Furthermore, I'm utterly grateful for the lessons and learning opportunities that the Music Department at Northfield has given me.

Personally, ding music in Northfield school, has been one of the best things to do in school. Apart from the fact that I've learnt a lot, it is also very fun to have great experiences.

Thanks very much to the Music Department!