< Previous page 4. / Next page 6. >
5. CYMH – INSTRUMENTAL SCHOOL
CYMH Instrumental School (CYMH) offers students ages 5 upwards, an extensive curriculum including group and individual instrumental tuition, singing, musicianship and ensembles, as well as the Orchestra and Choirs of CYMH.
a. CYMH – RED PROGRAMME
The Red Programme is for students in Key Stage 1 (years 1-2), who have either been in the ICS! Fledgling Foundation Course or who wish to begin learning music. It is a two-year programme in which students take part in sessions of musicianship, singing and recorder, in the second year choose an instrument to start learning. The programme is carefully structured in order to develop essential musical skills and an understanding of basic musical concepts.
YEAR 1:
All students in Year 1 have two lessons: General Musicianship with Recorder and Choir.
General Musicianship lessons cover basic rhythm and pitch work, as well as learning the basics of the recorder. Students will learn as part of a large group, singing, clapping, playing percussion instruments and becoming involved as musical participants.
Choir focuses on developing singing skills, breathing, posture, intonation, timbre, learning to sing as part of a group and introducing a range of repertoire and musical genres.
Sessions: 80 minutes
YEAR 2:
All students in Year 2 have three lessons: General Musicianship, Choir and Instrumental Lessons
In General Musicianship and Choir, they will continue to build on skills learnt in Year 1 of the programme and will also start to learn how to read basic notation. Instrumental Lessons take place in groups: these can range in size, but are usually between 3 and 6 students to a class. The group environment allows students to play in parts, together and to each other. However, it is understood that students learn at different rates so the tutors are prepared and able to differentiate their learning materials.
Sessions: 1 hour 40 minutes
PLEASE NOTE
In the Autumn term of the Red 2 Programme your child will attend ‘taster’ sessions. This is to give the students an idea of what instrument they would like to choose to learn. When it comes to choosing, students and parents must be aware that due to limited resources and capacity, not all students will receive their first choice of instrument. Students will therefore be asked to make at least 3 choices. Once they have chosen their instrument they will then continue to learn this instrument throughout their time at the Saturday Programme.
Instrument Restriction: students cannot choose an instrument they already learn outside of the programme.
The CYMH Programme currently offers tuition on: bassoon, cello, clarinet, drum kit, flute, guitar, piano, trombone, recorder, trumpet/tenor horn, violin.
Coaches and staff will be able to provide guidance and advice on instrument selections. At the Saturday Programme, all students are encouraged to participate in informal concerts to which all students, parents and carers are invited. Not only does this give students something to work towards, it is also a good opportunity to find out what else is happening at the Saturday Programme!
b. CYMH – YELLOW PROGRAMME
The Yellow Programme is for students in Key Stage 2 (years 3-4), have been in the CYMH Red Programme. Students at this stage of learning will be encouraged to develop their listening skills and sight-singing and will be expected to attain basic rhythmic fluency and a good level of understanding of the notation they will encounter whilst playing their instrument. All students in the Yellow programme have three lessons: Yellow Ensemble Choir, General Musicianship and Instrumental.
Choir focuses on developing singing skills, breathing, posture, intonation, timbre, learning to sing as part of a group and introducing a range of repertoire and musical genres.
Instrumental Lessons take place in groups: these can range in size, but are usually between 3 and 6 students to a class. The group environment allows students to play in parts, together and to each other. However, it is understood that students learn at different rates so the tutors are prepared and able to differentiate their learning materials. Sessions: Length varies dependent upon programme
c. CYMH – GREEN PROGRAMME
The Green Programme is divided into two groups: Green Ensemble and Green Instrumental.
GREEN ENSEMBLE
This programme is for students who already play an instrument and are receiving tuition elsewhere (e.g. at school, with a private teacher, or on HMDT Music’s Music Lessons For You! programme) who wish to broaden their musical experience through participation in a range of music-making activities. To be an ensemble player, students must be working towards at least Grade 2. All students in the Green Ensemble programme have at least three lessons: Ensemble, and an optional Choir (no instrumental lesson).
Choir focuses on developing singing skills, breathing, posture, intonation, timbre, learning to sing as part of a group and introducing a range of repertoire and musical genres.
Ensemble continues the practice of encouraging students to play/learn together. Teachers design special arrangements, tailored not only to the particular group of instruments, but also to the particular instrumentalists on many occasions. Ensemble is divided into Strings and Wind/Brass.
GREEN INSTRUMENTAL
All students in the Green Instrumental programme have four lessons: Instrumental, Ensemble, and an optional Choir. This programme is for students who wish to continue their instrumental studies at CYMH and have been learning the instrument they wish to study at CYMH for at least two years or are working toward their Grade 2. Their lessons are exactly the same as Green Ensemble except they have the addition of an Instrumental Lesson. Instrumental lessons take place in groups, which can range in size from a shared lesson of two (2) students to a small group of up to 6.
Sessions: Length of Ensemble and Instrumental varies dependent upon programme
Please Note:
Instrument Restriction: students cannot choose an instrument they already learn outside of the programme. At the Saturday Programme, all students are encouraged to participate in informal concerts to which all students, parents and carers are invited. Not only does this give students something to work towards, it is also a good opportunity to find out what else is happening at the Centre!
d. CYMH – BLUE PROGRAMME
The Blue Programme is divided into two groups: Blue Ensemble and Blue Instrumental. Applicants will need to take an audition to gain entry into the Blue programme. Students must be at least Grade 3 standard. (Criteria for the audition are available upon request).
The Blue Programme is a modular programme. Dependent upon your standard and experience, there are certain modules that you must attend, while others are optional. Some modules are also done by invitation. If a student plays more that one instrument at above a grade 3 standard, you may also play this in an ensemble. Compulsory modules for students playing under a grade 5 standard and/or who are under 14 include: Choir, General Musicianship, Ensemble, Orchestra. Modules by invitation or audition include: Chamber Choir, String Quartet, Brass Quartet, Wind Quartet, Specialist Class. In addition, students may elect to attend Theory Class or Grade 5 Theory.
BLUE ENSEMBLE
This programme is for students who already play an instrument and are receiving tuition elsewhere (e.g. at school or with a private teacher) who wish to broaden their musical experience through participation in a range of music-making activities. Students may take: Choir, Chamber Choir, Ensemble, Grade 5 Theory and Orchestra.
BLUE PROGRAMME MODULES
BLUE INSTRUMENTAL
This programme is for students who wish to develop their instrumental studies at CYMH and have been learning the instrument they wish to study at CYMH for at least two years and/or be at least grade 3 standard.
Blue Instrumental students receive the same level of provision as the Ensemble places with the addition of an instrumental lesson. Students may have up to seven sessions: Instrumental, Choir, Chamber Choir, Ensemble, Grade 5 Theory and Orchestra.
Sessions: Length varies dependent upon programme
Instrumental lessons in the Blue programme are individual 30 minute lessons.
Choir focuses on developing singing skills, breathing, posture, intonation, timbre, learning to sing as part of a group and introducing a range of repertoire and musical genres.
Ensemble continues the practice of encouraging students to play/learn together. Teachers design special arrangements, tailored not only to the particular group of instruments, but also to the particular instrumentalists on many occasions. Students are broken up into their different sections; there is a Wind, Brass and String ensemble – if students play a second instrument of the relevant standard they are welcome to apply to play this in an additional ensemble as well.
General Musicianship lessons integrate aspects of the musical curriculum that enable greater progress in other lessons. Students at this stage of learning will also spend time on listening to and discussing music, musical analysis, score-reading and aspects of musical history. They will be expected to have attained a detailed understanding of written music and may begin to explore more complex subjects such as harmony and counterpoint.
Orchestra gives students the chance to explore a wide range of repertoire, including contemporary music and occasionally new commissions. The orchestra may also accompany the choir or other performers both within the school and at outside engagements.
Sessions: Length varies dependent upon programme
Quartet Classes are for advanced players over Grade 5 standard, to develop further understanding of the repertoire, and to learn to play in small groups. These groups whilst overseen by a tutor, are aimed at teaching students to self-direct rehearsals. Specialist Class is aimed at developing a different skill, which will be of use to students as they progress through their musical education. For example, students will attend conducting classes, composition classes and arranging classes. This is only open to students over grade 5 standard.
Theory and Grade 5 Theory Classes
This class is open to any student on the HMDT Saturday programme who is working at Grade 4/5/6 (Grades 2, 3, 4 for Theory Class students) on their instrument and who needs to take the theory exam before they progress further. Please note that this is a specific exam preparation class.
STUDENTS WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:
Manuscript Paper and Lined paper (preferably in the same book)
Mechanical Pencils (this is because HB ones smudge the paper and are thick: this will dock you valuable presentation marks!)
Rulers, highlighters
ABRSM Grade 5 Theory Handbook
HOMEWORK:
There will be work to be done outside of lessons, based upon the work done in class that week. This must be completed and handed in the week after, unless specified by the tutor. These will take the form of exercises, which will usually be taken from the ABRSM book. Each student will have to complete a listening exercise every week. This will consist of picking a composer from the list given at the start of term, choosing a work and making observations about what they hear in the piece. One student each week will be picked at random to present what they have listened to and what they have noticed about it. Students should be encouraged to note the composer, piece and composer’s dates in a log to chart which composers they have listened to.
Please note: Parents need to be aware that classes can run over by 10 minutes. If for unforeseen circumstances the class has to start late then the class will run over.
Pupils and parents alike must understand that this class requires commitment both in time and attendance in order to gain anything. If you are unable to attend a class, please let the teacher know and find out what will need to be caught up in advance. There will be informal “pop” quizzes near the end of terms to assess improvements and also areas which may need highlighting for recap.
PLEASE NOTE: Choir will automatically be included in each student’s timetable. If you are a student above Grade 5 and wish not to attend Choir, please contact the HMDT Music office to arrange a timetable without Choir. At the Saturday Programme, all students are encouraged to participate in informal concerts to which all students, parents and carers are invited. Not only does this give students something to work towards, it is also a good opportunity to find out what else is happening at the Saturday Programme!
e. Jazz Blues
This is a programme aimed at those who have reached around a grade 4 standard on their instrument and are keen to develop their knowledge and understanding of Jazz. It consists of two main sections, which can be taken with or without a lesson:
i) Jazz GM – learn the essentials of jazz through the masters. This class looks at improvisation, aural skills and harmony.
ii) Big Band – Put into practice the skills you have learnt in Jazz GM.
f. CYMH – PARENT ACTIVITIES
PARENTS’ CHOIR
Parents’ Choir is held every week at the Saturday Programme and operates at a cost of £3 per session. During the term, members of the choir study several different choral pieces with the goal of performing them in an informal concert at some point during the term. The musical arrangements learnt cover a wide range of musical styles and periods. They are often in 4 parts and might be unaccompanied or with piano. All materials are provided for the sessions – all you have to bring is yourself and your fee.
No musical knowledge is needed – just a love of serious singing and a desire to have fun!
