SPRING 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 Spring 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 |
Tues 11 February 2025 | Mayor’s Gala Concert @ Wandsworth Civic Suite | TBC |
Mon 3 March 2025 | Scholars Concert @ All Saints Church, Tooting | WM Scholars |
Mon 17 March 2025 | Chamber Music Recital @ All Saints Church, Tooting | WMA Chamber ensembles |
Sat 22 March 2025, 12.45pm-1.30pm | WMA Orchestral Concert @ Burntwood | Junior Orchestra Concert Orchestra |
Mon 31 March 2025 | Brighter Sounds @ The Royal Albert Hall | Philharmonic Orchestra Wandsworth Youth Choir & Chamber Choir Wandsworth Performance Troupe Seniors Wandsworth Jazz Ensembles |
Sat 17 May 2025, 12.30pm | WMA Brass Recital | WMA Brass |
Sat 28 June, 12.30pm | WMA String Recital | WMA strings |
WMA RECITAL SERIES
The WMA Recital Series for 2024-25 continues this year with three 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.
Chamber Music Recital: Monday 17 March @ All Saints Church Tooting
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

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!
Joseph Middleton Piano Masterclass – 25 January 2025
Six of our senior pianists participated in a masterclass with world renowned pianist, Joseph Middleton!! The children played music by Khatchturyan, Schubert and more, to Joseph and their parents. Joseph is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist, accompanist and director and passionate advocate of the transformative power of music!
26 April 2025 – String Chamber Music Masterclass with Viatores Quartet
The fabulous Viatores String Quartet will be coming to the WMA to give a masterclass to our Junior and Senior String Quartets and to coach the strings from the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra. The Viatores are a young String Quartet based in Berlin, who are quickly becoming award winning musicians across the globe.

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).
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
Viola (Grade 6 plus) – Philharmonic Orchestra
Bassoon (Grade 5/6 plus) – Philharmonic Orchestra
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 & 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
Last term the Youth Council hosted a concert at the French Protestant Church of London; their first concert outside of the borough! But the fundraising didn’t stop there…
Thanks to your tremendous efforts, Wandsworth Youth Council and the newly established, Friends of Wandsworth Music, our first auction raised a whopping £2895!
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
Wandsworth Music