SUMMER term Wma newsletter
#makingmusicmatter
Our Academies are now back in full swing, and we are thrilled to see so many children enjoying their music making with us at the Wandsworth Music Academy! We are pleased to share with you some exciting news and important reminders for the Summer term.
brighter sounds 2025 – royal albert hall
On the 31 March, 1,600 children and young people from Wandsworth Schools and the Wandsworth Music Academy performed in front of a sold out audience at the Royal Albert Hall!
Congratulations to all WMA pupils who were involved in this amazing concert!
GIFT AID
As a registered charity we are able to claim gift aid on WMA membership fees. Gift Aid provides vital additional funds for charities, and it costs you nothing extra to allow us to claim it. In order to access this additional source of funding we need a gift aid declaration from each parent who is prepared to support us in this way.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNTIES 2024-2025
We have an exciting array of performance opportunities this term – please look out for further information from John & Lydia with specific details for your child(ren).
| Date | Event | WMA Groups involved |
| Sat 17 May, 12.30pm | WMA Brass Recital | WMA Brass |
| Tues 17 June, 7pm | WAF Summer Showcase | WPT, WYC |
| Sat 28 June, 12.30pm | WMA String Recital | WMA strings |
| Mon 30 June, 6pm | Wandsworth Jazz | All WMA Jazz groups |
| Tue 1 July, 6pm | WMA Pop Bands @ The Bedford | All WMA pop bands |
| Tues 8 July | Wimbledon Tennis | WPO |
| Sat 12 July, 12.30pm | WMA Summer Fair | All WMA Sat ensembles |
| Sat 19 July, 4.30pm | WPO Summer Serenade | WPO |
WPO SUMMER SERENADE
On Saturday 19 July the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing a Summer Serenade Concert at All Saints Church, Tooting, in a celebratory concert, organised by the Wandsworth Youth Council! This is an opportunity not to be missed for younger members of the WMA to watch and listen to our highest level Orchestra and hear some fantastic orchestral music! Doors open at 4.30pm and the concert will finish at approx. 6.15pm.
More information and ticket link to come!
WMA SUMMER FAYRE – SATURDAY 12 JULY
The WMA Summer Fayre will be returning once more for a fun packed day of music (hopefully in the sunshine this time!) and more fundraising from the Youth Council for pupils at Wandsworth Music. Expect food, coffee and pastry stands, craft stalls, live music, bouncy castle and games, dance squads, sponge the tutor! And more!! The WMA Summer Fayre will run from 12.30pm-3.30pm and feature performances from many WMA groups. Please look out for more information in the coming weeks!
A perfect day of performance and fun to round up the year for your children! See. You. There!!
WMA RECITAL SERIES
The WMA Recital Series continues this term with two upcoming dates for your diaries. These recitals provide pupils with the opportunity to showcase their learning, perform with a pianist, and build confidence in playing solo repertoire to a friendly audience.
Brass Recital: Saturday 17 May 12.30pm @ WMA
String Recital: Saturday 28 June 12.30pm @ WMA
Pupils can put themselves forward via their instrumental tutor, or parents can email lmalitskie@wandsworthmusic.co.uk directly to notify us that their child would like to perform. Where possible, all pupils will be given the opportunity to perform, or will be asked to play next time should this be more appropriate. Any pupils not performing will be asked to watch their peers at the Recital.
ST LUKE’S MASTERCLASS & CONCERT SERIES
FREE CONCERT TICKETS
Our friends at St Luke’s Music Society have offered WMA pupils free tickets for their 24-25 concert season.
We have been offered 20 free tickets for the following concerts. (click the button below to apply – priority will be given to pupils performing in the masterclasses).
For more information on the above concerts please visit Concert series in South London | SLMS
preparations for september 2025
WMA 2025-2026
As we start our preparations for the 2025-26 academic year at WMA, we are asking parents of Year 6 pupils attending the Saturday Academy to confirm their child’s choices for their transition to the Senior Academy in September. If you have any questions please contact Lydia or Aurelie.
A reminder that lessons at WMA continue automatically, unless we receive written notice as follows:
1 June to withdraw at the end of Summer Term
8 November to withdraw at the end of the Autumn term
21 February to withdraw at the end of Spring term
Open Morning Tours and Workshops
We will be hosting WMA open morning tours on Saturday 10 May and Saturday 14 June (advance sign up mandatory). If you have a friend or sibling that would like to attend, or would like to send information to friends or family so that they have the opportunity to attend a tour, please get in touch with Lydia as soon as possible – lmalitskie@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
ENSEMBLE VACANCIES & OPPORTUNITIES
Do you have any talented and musical friends?!
We have the following vacancies to join our Music Academy ensembles in September on the following instruments:
Trombone & Guitar (Grade 4 plus) – Jazz Orchestra 2
Philharmonic Orchestra(Grade 5/6 +) – Trombone, Tuba, Bassoon, Double Bass
Jazz Orchestra (Grade 5/6 +) – Trombone, Guitar
Jazz Orchestra (Grade 3/4 +) – Trombone, Guitar
Concert Orchestra (Grade 3/4 +) – Trombone, French Horn, Strings, Bassoon
Vocalists – Various Pop Bands, Wandsworth Youth Choir & Wandsworth Chamber Choir
wandsworth young musician competitions
Thank you for your patience whilst we consider the changes beneficial for our competitions and discuss how to move forward with our team and the Youth Council. We are thrilled to announce two new WM competitions will be taking place soon and a third in the making for 2026!!
Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition 2025
**Applications are now open to take part in the NEW Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition 2025!!**
We write to share news and to invite ensembles to participate in the Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition, 2025. Previously a category in the Wandsworth Young Musician of the Year Competition, the newly titled, Wandsworth Music Ensemble Competition, will showcase ensembles only, and is open to all ensemble members attending the Wandsworth Music Academy, attending a school in Wandsworth, or living in the borough of Wandsworth.
This competition is opening to the following ensembles:
- Chamber music ensembles
- Jazz ensembles
- Vocal ensembles
- Traditional/World Music ensembles
*All ensembles should have a maximum of 10 players and should be a minimum standard of Grade 5 on their instrument, or the equivalent level of ensemble standard for traditional, world music ensembles.
A maximum of 10 Ensembles will be chosen following initial video submissions, to perform an 8 minute programme in the Ensemble Competition Concert, to an audience of family, friends and esteemed colleagues. The Competition Final Concert will take place on Thursday 10 July and will be judged by a guest judge (to be announced in due course!).
There will be one ensemble winner and one runner up prize. The winners of the competition will be awarded the Ensemble Competition Trophy, a £100 prize voucher sponsored by Rotary Music Battersea and the opportunity to perform in a prestigious external concert with Wandsworth Music and it’s partners. The runner up prize winners will win a £50 prize voucher for their ensemble.
For more information and details on how to apply please contact Lydia: lmalitskie@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Wandsworth Music Academy Soloists Competition 2026
Wandsworth Music Academy pupils will have the opportunity to apply to compete in our new Soloists Competition, the final of which will be held at Burntwood School in January 2026. The soloists competition is open to Wandsworth Music Academy pupils only and will have two categories and prizes, Junior and Senior. Look out for further details and information on how to apply, coming soon!
Wandsworth Band Fest 2026!!
Wandsworth Music are looking into launching their first band festival and competition for all Wandsworth borough bands, with an exciting festival day of performances in a prestigious venue in Wandsworth. Look out for more information in 2026!!
SPEEDADMIN – PUPIL ACCESS
Do you know that we can provide pupils with secure access to Speed Admin? Pupils can receive important communications, and have access to timetables and the Study Planner.
If you would like your child to have a SpeedAdmin account, and receive these communications (in addition to yourself) then please complete this form to give us permission to add your child(ren)s email address to the database.
ENSEMBLE MUSIC & THEORY BOOKLETS
Sheet music for WMA ensembles and theory lessons can be accessed at home via this link:
www.tinyurl.com/wandsworthmusic
Ensemble/Orchestra music: Pupils are expected to practise their ensemble/orchestra music at home, to ensure they are prepared and well-practiced for sessions and concerts this term. Pupils should also take their parts to their instrumental teacher to go over in lessons. You can either print these off at home, or use a portable device such as an iPad to view them on a music stand *(Please note that valuables are not recommended to be brought to the WMA).
Theory Booklets: If you have not already done so, please visit the Theory Lessons folder to print your child’s booklet. Please note, our Theory Booklets are for use for the year and will need to be put into a folder or binder so that your child can use them each week.
GENERAL REMINDERS
Chewing gum and sweets! Please do not bring chewing gum or sweets to the WMA. This will ensure mess is kept to a minimum and children are not chewing gum during choir and instrumental sessions!
Eye on the time! If possible, please ask your child to wear a watch whilst at the WMA so that they are aware of the time and can get to each of their sessions promptly. We do have a large clock on display at the front desk and ask the children to make their way to their sessions ahead of time.
Bring a music stand and a pencil! We have a limited number of music stands, so if you have a folding music stand at home, please consider bringing it to WMA. A soft, 2B pencil and a rubber are essential tools for a musician, and will be used to mark up the music in lessons and rehearsals.
T-shirts and hoodies! Wandsworth Music have t-shirts and hoodies available to buy. These stylish items feature our logo and are the perfect dress code for our concerts. Please CLICK HERE for more information.
SCHOLARSHIP & BURSARY FUNds
Wandsworth Music continually fundraise in order to provide scholarships and bursaries for children and young people in challenging circumstances, or in need of financial support. The following schemes are available to support young musicians.
LMF & WMA Scholarship Scheme
The London Music Fund and WMA Scholarships provide up to 4 years worth of funding for children to attend the Wandsworth Music Academy and are worth up to £4,000 in total.
Applications are open to primary school children in Key Stage 2, who demonstrate commitment, enjoyment and potential in their music making, but for whom the financial cost of ongoing music tuition is a barrier to continuation.
For more information on how to apply for an LMF or WMA scholarship please visit: www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/scholarships
WMA Free School Meal Bursary Scheme
Fee remissions of up to 50% are available to pupils in receipt of free school meals learning at WMA. Remission is available for the 1st study instrumental lesson & ensemble memberships/ theory only (it is not available for 2nd study instrumental lessons).
For further information please contact info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
WMA Gifted and Talented Bursary Scheme
The WMA Gifted and Talented Bursary Scheme provides one-off bursaries to support pupils at WMA. Applications are open to secondary aged pupils, who have demonstrated significant musical potential and commitment, but for whom the financial cost of ongoing music tuition is a barrier. Pupils receiving a bursary must also participate in a WMA ensemble.
Our funds are limited and decisions take into account a combination of; financial need, commitment, musical potential, previous commitment and attendance at activities, and the ability to make a positive contribution to, and take full benefit from activities at WMA.
WMA Endangered Instrument Bursary Scheme – NEW!
The endangered instrument bursary scheme provides 2 years of funding to learn either the bassoon, oboe or tuba at WMA. Applications are open to pupils aged 11 plus, who can demonstrate significant musical potential and commitment on an instrument in the same musical instrument family as the oboe, bassoon or tuba. (For example the clarinet or saxophone to learn the bassoon or the trumpet or trombone to learn the tuba).
The bursary covers the cost of 30 x 30min lessons for 2 years. Pupils in receipt of the funding are expected to participate in a WMA ensemble on the instrument.
Our funds are limited and decisions take into account a combination of; financial need, commitment, musical potential, previous commitment and attendance at activities, and the ability to make a positive contribution to, and take full benefit from activities at WMA.
For further information please contact info@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
Stay up to date with the Wandsworth Music Youth Council on Instagram! @wandsworthmusic_youthcouncil
Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming Raffle and more news about the Summer Fayre next term!
Are you interested in joining the Youth Council …???? Get in touch with Emily Hall to find out more email: ehall@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
OTHER NEWS
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