Bristol Arts and Music Service

"Bristol Arts and Music Service has made good progress and overall its work is good, with some very good features that contribute to the success of the Service”  - Federation of Music Services Evaluation 2011

The Bristol Arts and Music Service (BAMS) are the Local Authority arts and music service for Bristol.  We offer Bristol's most comprehensive and varied range of music provision to young people in Bristol. BAMS employ experienced tutors who work in schools and Music Centres providing in excess of 800 hours of music tuition to thousands of Bristol children every week.
 
In addition, BAMS arrange a variety of events and performances throughout the year.  For more details please visit our Diary of events section.

BAMS are managed within Children and Young People’s Services, a Bristol City Council department.  Our funding comes from a variety of sources – Bristol City Council, direct government grants, and charges to schools and parents for our services.
 
We use the funding we receive to subsidise, maintain and provide a wide range of services to Bristol schools and learning communities.  These include:

• Instrumental and Vocal tuition in schools
• Five out of school Music Centres in various locations across the City
• Curriculum advice and support to schools
• Music workshops
• Recording facilities
• The Stages dance festival
• Kinesis dance group
• Regular City-wide concerts, performances and festivals
• Coordination of entry to external examinations (including ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall)
• Instrument loans to pupils and schools
• Early Years music provision
• Administration of the Assisted Purchase Scheme (which allows parents of BAMS tutored pupils to buy a musical instrument free of VAT)
• Staff training and CPD 
• Lesson observations of all BAMS tutors 
• Specialist special needs music provision 
• Formal and informal performance opportunities 
• Wider Opportunities for music provision 
• Holiday workshops

BAMS promotes a joined up approach to music education in Bristol.  We can help and develop the ability of all young people, from beginners to the most talented pupils.   Our network of tutors can signpost young people to different services as they progress.  And having so many music tutors working for the same organisation means that we have a consistent approach and have the ability to implement and react to the latest developments in music tuition.

BAMS aim to provide continuity for our young people so that the tuition they receive in their feeder primary schools is carried on in secondary education, with routes into the ensembles provided by our Music Centres.

BAMS passionately believe in the power of music to have a beneficial affect on the lives of young people.   By using BAMS you will receive:

• High quality tuition from experienced and skilled music tutors
• Structured lessons with clear progression targets
• Communication between parents and tutors through our Pupil handbook, which tracks progress and sets targets
• Support with examinations, if desired
• Cost effective and accessible tuition
• Access to a wide range of instruments and styles
• Opportunities to play in ensembles and performances