Pupils from over 140 schools will get the chance to be considered for tuition at one of Gloucestershire Music’s three music centres.
Schools from Stroud, find Dursley, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester and the Forest of Dean have been set the task of finding pupils who they feel are Gifted and Talented in music.
These pupils will be encouraged to take up one on 90 places offered at three music centre’s run by Gloucestershire Music.
In October, the three Music Centres will be offering group lessons on a variety of instruments (brass, woodwind and strings) in an effort to give young people the chance to take their first steps into instrumental tuition.
Each Music Centre (based in Forest of Dean, Stroud and Gloucester) will provide a free introductory session for children and their parents where they will have the opportunity to meet the tutors and try a variety of instruments.
This is planned to take place on Saturday 17th October at the following centres; Lakers School, Forest of Dean Area Bands (12-2pm), Five Valleys Music Centre at Archway School 9.30am-12.30), and Brookfield Music Centre at Sir Thomas Rich’s School 11am-2pm).
Each student will then receive 9 lessons, membership to the Music Centre and an instrument to hire, and the inclusive cost will be £44 (£22 if you are eligible for a bursary). The full cost of this scheme is usually around £75.
The student needs to be in years 4 – 6 and have a genuine passion for music and a desire to learn, although no musical knowledge is required.
Cllr Paul McLain, Cabinet member for children and young people and commissioning said: “This is a great opportunity. Learning to play a musical instrument is not only great for social and educational development; it’s also a brilliant way to be creative. I look forward to seeing more pupils take their first steps to becoming a musician this year.”
To find out more about this scheme visit www.gloucestershiremusic.co.uk and click on the gifted and talented programme button on the home page.