Instrumental tuition and Curriculum support

Instrumental and Vocal tuition

Learning an instrument is a great way to nurture talent, improve self confidence and develop social skills.  It also has a beneficial effect on intelligence, discipline and stress levels.  Most of all it is fun.  The Bristol Arts and Music Service (BAMS) employ peripatetic Music tutors who are able to deliver high quality tuition in a huge range of instruments and vocal styles.  We have staff working in the majority of Bristol Local Authority Primary, Special and Secondary schools, as well as Academies and Private schools.

We are currently taking bookings forms from schools for music tuition for the Summer term 2012 (Terms 5 & 6).  Completed forms are due back by the 16th March.  If we do not receive a booking form we will continue tuition at the same rate as the end of the current term.  Please note there is a separate booking form for private schools and schools outside of Bristol.

BAMS tutors deliver weekly sessions in school, arranged at a convenient time.  Most tuition is in small groups (of between 3 and 6 pupils), but tutors can work with individuals or whole classes if required.  Sharing tuition in school is one of the most cost effective and accessible ways of learning an instrument.  All BAMS tutors have enhanced CRB clearance and are experienced in teaching music.  They received regular lesson observations and access to training. 

BAMS charge schools directly for tuition, at a set hourly rate.  Most schools chose to pass on tuition costs to parents, dividing the hourly charge between the number of participating pupils.

Pupils/schools are required to provide their own instruments.  To help with this BAMS run an Assisted Purchase Scheme that allows pupils to purchase instruments without having to pay the VAT.   

Curriculum Support and Advice

BAMS are able to offer professional support and advice to schools looking to develop or enhance their creative curriculum.  The services we offer include:

• Inset day training for teaching staff (specialist and non-specialist)
• Curriculum assessment and development 
• Classroom support
• Gifted and talented days/workshops in composition, singing and creative writing
• Developing schemes of work
• Production of school performances
• Group voice and choir work

Each programme will be tailored to the individual needs of the school, in consultation with relevant staff.   Please see the BAMS Charges section (pdf, 14 KB) for details of costs.

 For more details please contact Andy Gleadhill on 0117 377 1050 or andy.gleadhill@bristol.gov.uk. 

Music Therapy

BAMS are able to offer Music Therapy to schools in Bristol in the same way instrumental teaching is provided.  Below, BAMS tutor Heather Graham (MA Music Therapy) gives some more information about what is on offer:

"Music therapy is very active in Bristol, both for adults and children. We are lucky to have Music Space, a specialised setting opened in 1991, and an active branch of the MusicSpace Trust.  As well as this community based music therapy project there are a number of Music Therapists working for the NHS and in schools – both special and mainstream.

Music therapy is an alternative intervention for children who may be finding school life difficult.  As well as this, it is becoming more and more apparent that music therapy is a positive choice of intervention for social and behavioural difficulties, communication and linguistic difficulties, and for children with more serious physical limitations.  It is often a misconception that anyone who has music therapy must be musical to begin with – this is not the case. Nor is it true that music therapy is a way of teaching music. 

The ability to respond to music is usually unaffected by illness, injury or disability - music can often reach a child who finds communication difficult or indeed has chosen not to speak as a result of a trauma.  Children often find that they are motivated to express themselves in a positive and rewarding way through the music and sounds of the session.

Sessions will happen on a weekly basis for at least a term.  As with all forms of therapy, over time it is likely that a trusting relationship will develop between your child and the Music Therapist, as they share involvement in the sounds of the sessions.  It is this trust that will allow difficulties to be looked at from different perspectives, and lead to promoting change in the child.  Music therapy can greatly enhance children's self-esteem.

 Sessions will aim to be held in the same room with as much consistency as possible from week to week with time, place and resources. A variety of instruments will be available for your child. This will usually include a piano and a wide range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments.

The Music Therapist will begin to build a relationship with your child through music and sounds, rather than through words. Your child will not be under any pressure to use or play the instruments in any particular way, but given space and time to explore and create sounds as they wish. This may lead to benefits such as increased eye-contact and vocal activity; improved attention, concentration and social interaction; the development of motor skills; reduced anxiety or tension; and increased confidence."

Heather Graham MA (member of APMT and HPC)

If you would like more information about Music Therapy and how it could work in your school please contact BAMS on 0117 377 1050

Some of the content has been taken from the MusicSpace homepage www.musicspace.org. More information can be obtained from the Association of Professional Music Therapists - their website is www.apmt.org The Health Professions Council regulates all trained professional music therapists and exists to protect the public who use the services of its professional members www.hpc-uk.org