Inspiring young music maestros from Chippenham and Minety
10:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News By Alex Winter
Young musicians of every ability will have a harmonious new year thanks to a long-standing Wiltshire Council initiative.
With new groups in Chippenham and Minety, the North Wiltshire Young Musicians group provides somewhere for young people to play their flutes, trumpets, violins and even ukuleles across the area.
Musical director Claire Schollick said the addition of a boys’ singing group and an intermediate wind ensemble in Chippenham will bring in new members.
“It’s all started so well,” she said.
“Now we just need more members to come along and swell the ranks. The conductors are professional music teachers from the Wiltshire Music Service.
“We all know how important it is that a child gets the best tuition possible while having fun too, and we really do welcome any young people with an interest in music.”
Of the Chippenham groups, the junior strings ensemble is on Mondays at Frogwell School from 4.15pm until 5.15pm for young children who have just started learning up to grade two.
The junior wind group is on the same day from 4pm until 4.45pm at King’s Lodge School for beginners to grade two students, while the intermediate wind group is at the same location from 4.45pm until 5.45pm.
The boys’ singing group, at St Peter’s School, meets on Thursdays from 3.45pm until 4.30pm.
In Minety, the junior strings ensemble is held at the primary school on Tuesdays from 4.30pm– 5.30pm, and the intermediate group for grades two to five is on the same day and in the same place from 5.45-6.45pm.
Mrs Schollick said: “An exciting addition is the ukulele group, which takes place in Sheldon School from 4.15-5.15pm on Tuesdays.
“You don’t need to have any experience to join the group. You can be a novice – the instructor, David Breeze, will lend anyone a ukulele.
“We’ve even invited parents to come along if they’d like to participate.
“One of them has taken us up on the offer and thoroughly enjoys the classes with his son.”
Classes are held during school term-times – a subscription for one term is £25, and a year costs £60.
“If you have more than one family member taking part in the classes, the price remains the same – you just pay the one amount for both children,” said Mrs Scholl-ick, who plays saxophone, clarinet and flute.
“Music is so important. As well as the many benefits learning to play an instrument provides, children are also gaining the confidence to mix with other children of all ages.”
For more information about North Wiltshire Young Musicians, contact Claire Schollick by emailing Claire.Schollick@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 07825 227519.
