SECONDARY & SPECIAL Schools Newsletter – Summer 24
#makingmusicmatter
BRIGHTER SOUNDS 2024 – FAIRFIELD HALLS
On 26 & 27 March, 1,150 children and young people from Wandsworth Schools and the Wandsworth Music Academy performed in front of sold out audiences at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
BOROUGH PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNTIES 2024-2025
Mayor of Wandsworth Charity Carol Concert – Monday 2nd December 2024
Schools are invited to put forward individual Christmas/seasonal items for this concert, for example a school choir, band or orchestra.
Winter Sounds – 10th & 11th December 2024, Fairfield Halls
We are inviting applications from Secondary and Special schools to showcase their own work, for example a school choir, jazz band, steel pans group or orchestra. When submitting items, please consider advanced groups and proposals which will make best use of the large stage.
Mayor of Wandsworth Charity Gala Concert – Tuesday 11th February 2025
Schools are invited to put forward individual items for this concert. Due to the size of the stage, smaller scale items (e.g. choirs, chamber ensembles etc) would be more appropriate.
Brighter Sounds – 31st March 2025, Royal Albert Hall
We are delighted to announce that we have secured the Royal Albert Hall for Brighter Sounds 2025! This will be our most prestigious concert of the season and will feature the Wandsworth Primary Choir, Secondary Choir, Special School Massed Ensemble, a Musical Theatre Collaboration and more!
Massed Secondary choir: We are inviting secondary schools to apply to be part of the secondary singing collaboration. As in previous years this may be for an established school choir or whole year group subject to achieving a good overall balance of voices.
SCHOOL MUSIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS….DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START..?
The DfE expect all schools to publish a summary of their school music development plan (SMDP) on their school website before the start of the 2024/25 academic year.
Don’t know where to start…? We can help you!
Wandsworth Music has created a simple online self-assessment tool, that upon completion will generate a template SMDP that schools can use.
For further supporting information please visit our website: www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/audit/
ACTIVATE YOUR FREE MUSIC MARK SCHOOLS MEMBERSHIP!
Complete the Music Self-Evaluation Audit and receive FREE Music Mark schools’ membership (worth c.£100)!
- Access to free online CPD and training events
- Use of the Music Mark school logo on your school website and other media.
- Access to online resources to support the delivery of music in your school
CPD & NETWORKING
Our friends at Merton Music Foundation are working with Crown Lane Studio in Morden to host a secondary music teachers’ networking event on Thursday 4 July, and have kindly extended an invite to all secondary colleagues in SW London.
The event starts with a complementary drinks reception at 5pm and will include talks on music technology and SEND, lots of opportunities for peer discussion, youth performances and a studio experience to support teachers in creating KS4/5 recordings. It is open to all music educators that work with KS3,4 or 5 pupils.
SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMMES & SUPPORT 2024-25
Wandsworth Music is committed to having a positive relationship with all schools and we would encourage you to look at the opportunities that we offer. Working in partnership with you, we can help to unlock the musical potential of your pupils; helping to develop their musical knowledge and understanding, increasing confidence and self-esteem, and supporting improved mental health and wellbeing.
If you would like to discuss any part of your music provision or have any questions regarding the model music curriculum, national plan for music, or anything else then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by email: info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Full information about our programmes and support packages for schools can be found at https://wandsworthmusic.co.uk/schools/sla/
SLA PROGRAMMES BOOKING 24-25
If you have not yet completed the programme booking form for 2024-25 please click below.
WANDSWORTH MUSIC ACADEMY – PROGRESSION PATHWAYS
All young people should have the opportunity to develop and progress their musical interests and talent as far as they would like, including into specialist opportunities, higher education or future employment.
Wandsworth Music Academy
The Wandsworth Music Academy offers numerous diverse bands, orchestras, choirs and ensembles, providing all children with the opportunity to progress on their musical journey.
We are currently offering places at the Senior Academy for September and have the following vacancies for our senior ensembles. We have an exciting year of concerts coming up including a tour to Italy, concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Fairfield Halls, Wimbledon Tennis, the London Jazz Festival and more!
Please share these opportunities with your pupils!
Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra
1 x Trumpet (Grade 6/7+)
2 x Viola (Grade 5+)
1 x Bassoon (Grade 5+)
Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra
2 x Alto Sax (Grade 5/6+)
Wandsworth Youth Choir
Accepting applications from keen and committed singers aged 11+
Steel Pan Jam
Accepting applications from keen and committed musicians aged 11+ (no previous experience necessary!)
Wandsworth Concert Orchestra
Violins & Violas (Grade 3+)
Bassoons, French Horns (Grade 3+)
1 x Tuba (Grade 3+)
Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra 2
2 x Trombones (Grade 3+)
Wandsworth Pop Bands
Accepting applications from keen and committed singers aged 11+
Lessons in schools
Wandsworth Music provides individual, or small group lessons on any musical instrument. Lessons take place at the school, during the school day, and are mostly paid for by the parents. We take care of all the administration; including communications with parents, billing, and instrument hire.
If you would like to offer these lessons in your school please contact info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk for more information.
BEYOND ENSEMBLE
Wandsworth BEYOND is a new inclusive ensemble for SEN/D students!
Last month, 16 students joined together for the first rehearsal with respected workshop leader Paul Griffiths and Wandsworth Music tutors. Places are available for students in specialist and mainstream schools with prior musical experience.
Come and make music with an exceptional group of students and perform at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2025!
FREE TO JOIN!
For more information email ehall@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
YEAR 7 & 8 YOUTH VOICE SURVEY – WHAT MUSIC MEANS TO YOU
We are asking for young people to share their musical tastes and interests, which will help us shape the future of Wandsworth Music and plan upcoming opportunities.
This is the second time running this survey and we would love to know what your students think! Last year, in collaboration with neighbouring boroughs, we received almost 10,000 responses across SW London!
Please encourage your Year 7 & 8 pupils to complete the survey by Friday 21st June 2024.
Where possible we would encourage Year 6 children to complete the survey in class with their teacher (recommended for best data). If this is not possible, please could it be shared with parents for children to complete at home. It will only take 5mins to complete.
