AUtumn 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 Autumn term and the coming months.
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 19 October 2024 | WMA Piano Recital @ Burntwood | Saturday Piano pupils |
| 25-27 October 2024 | Music & Mud Residential Course | Fully booked. |
| Sun 17 November 2024 | London Jazz Festival @ Southbank Centre | Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra |
| Sat 23 November 2024 | WMA Wind Recital @ Burntwood | Saturday Wind pupils |
| Wed 27 November 2024 | WMA Wed Solo Recitals @ Burntwood | WMA Wednesday pupils |
| Tues 3 December 2024 | Mayor of Wandsworth Charity Carol Concert @ Burntwood | Wandsworth Junior Orchestra Wandsworth Youth Choir |
| Wed 4 December 2024 | WMA Wed Ensemble Concert @ Burntwood | WMA Wednesday ensembles |
| Sat 7 December 2024 | WMA Christmas Concert @ Burntwood | All Sat Junior Academy Pupils Senior Sat Academy pupils TBC |
| Tues 10 December 2024 | Winter Sounds 1 @ Fairfield Halls | Wandsworth Concert Orchestra |
| Wed 11 December 2024 | Winter Sounds 2 @ Fairfield Halls | Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra Wandsworth Performance Troupe (Junior & Senior) |
| Tues 30 January 2025 | Pop Bands @ The Bedford | WMA Senior Pop Bands |
| Sat 8 February 2025 | WMA Brass Recital @ Burntwood | Saturday Brass Pupils |
| Mon 17 March 2025 | Chamber Music Recitals @ All Saints, Tooting TBC | WMA Chamber ensembles |
| Sat 22 March 2025 | WMA Orchestral Concert @ Burntwood | Training Orchestra Junior Orchestra Concert Orchestra |
| Mon 31 March 2025 | Brighter Sounds @ The Royal Albert Hall | Philharmonic Orchestra Wandsworth Youth Choir Wandsworth Performance Troupe (Seniors only) Jazz 2a & 2b |
WMA RECITAL SERIES
The WMA Recital Series for 2024-25 will be launching again this term (dates outlined above). 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.
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
Thanks to the generosity of the St Luke’s Music Society, we are very fortunate to have some brilliant professional musicians and ensembles visiting us this term!
9 November 2024 – A4 Brass Quartet
25 January 2025 – Piano masterclass with Joseph Middleton
26 April 2025 – String Chamber Music Masterclass with Viatores Quartet
Pupils involved in the following sessions will be contacted directly by Lydia.
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).
19th October: Alban Gerhardt and Steven Osborne
9th November: A4 Brass Quartet
11th January: Paul Lewis Schubert Piano recital
25th January: James Newby (Baritone) with Joseph Middleton Schubert Schone Mullerin
22nd February: Iestyn Davies with Fretwork
8th March: Sean Shibe (Guitar) with Aidan O’Rourke (Scottish fiddler)
26th April: Viatores Quartet with Louisa Staples
17th May: The Swingles
For more information on the above concerts please visit Concert series in South London | SLMS
ENSEMBLE VACANCIES & OPPORTUNITIES
Do you have any talented and musical friends?!
We have the following vacancies to join our Music Academy ensembles on the following instruments:
Trombone & Guitar (Grade 4 plus) – Jazz Orchestra 2
Alto Sax (Grade 7 plus) – Jazz Orchestra
Viola (Grade 6 plus) – Philharmonic Orchestra
Bassoon (Grade 5/6 plus) – Philharmonic Orchestra
Strings, saxophone, bassoon, French horn & tuba (Grade 3/4 plus) – Concert Orchestra
Vocalists – Various Pop Bands, Wandsworth Youth Choir & Wandsworth Chamber Choir
WPO TOUR TO ITALY 2025
The Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra will be travelling to Tuscany, Italy to perform 4 concerts between 20 – 27 July 2025.
If you have not yet signed up to the Philharmonic Orchestra 2025 Tour to Italy please reserve your place by clicking the link below!
If you have any questions about the tour or would like the information sent again, please contact Dan or John.
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 FUND
Wandsworth Music works in partnership with several Trusts and Foundations to provide scholarships and bursaries for children and young people in challenging circumstances, or in need of financial support.
Scholarships provide up to 4 years’ worth of funding (total value in excess of £3,500) for children to attend the Wandsworth Music Academy.
For more information on how to apply please visit: www.wandsworthmusic.co.uk/scholarships
YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
We are delighted to announce that the Wandsworth Music Youth Council raised more than £5,000 last year to support our young musicians at the Music Academy. The money was used to fund bursaries for students going on the orchestra tour to Spain in July, and the Music and Mud residential which is taking place in October Half Term.
Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Youth Council Fundraising events for the year ahead.
Are you interested in joining the Youth Council …???? Get in touch with Emily Hall to find out more email: ehall@wandsworthmusic.co.uk
Philharmonia orchestra – ticket offers
Our friends at the Philharmonia Orchestra are offering a 50% discount on tickets (excluding top-price seats) for the following concerts:
Thursday 26 September
Sunday 29 September
Sunday 27 October (there is also a free workshop at 11am before the concert!)
Thursday 31 October
Sunday 10 November
Sunday 1 December
Details of all the concerts can be found at the link below – you can access the discount by entering the code EDUCATION50
https://philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/?date=all&location=london&type=all&event-group=all
OTHER NEWS
We are thrilled to share news that one of our long standing and very talented music tutors, Scott Bramley has written and is musical director for his first musical ‘Little Fiend.’
Scott is a piano teacher and vocal leader and has previously taught piano at WMA on Saturdays. The concert version of the musical will be performed at the Phoenix Arts Club on Monday the 4th of November.
Visit the website for more information www.LittleFiendMusical.com
Tickets can be purchased here – https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/little-fiend/
Wandsworth Music
