Following on from our Benefits of Extracurricular Activities feature we are looking at the benefits and a round-up of Music Classes for your child.
MUSIC Orchestra and choir practice are popular in many schools. Children can receive individual music tuition either inside or outside school and join a local youth orchestra or band. Learning to play and appreciate music is deeply rewarding and group music making promotes a sense of belonging. Practice helps develop perseverance and sense of accomplishment.
Performances help children gain confidence and self-esteem. What’s more, research has suggested that children who play musical instruments do better in academic subjects at school.
Whilst Edinburgh Council school provide free instrumental and vocal lessons to pupils from P4 to S6, places are limited and often offered to children who show a keen interest or promise. You may like to introduce your child before this age.
Pipe bands are a popular after-school activity in Edinburgh. Children who take up the pipes will, initially, be taught to play the chanter. Drummers learn on pads and then various styles of drums as they get older. School and local bands usually have lots of opportunities to perform and enter piping and drumming competitions. These also form part of a school’s CCF (Combined Cadet Force) if they have one. If your child learns to play the pipes well, they will always be able to earn extra money as a teenager being hired to play at weddings and other events.
The list below is not exhaustive. We have limited ourselves to just a few establishments known for the quality of their coaching.
MUSIC Edinburgh Young Musicians (EYM) provides group tuition focusing on musical play, musicianship, individual instruments, orchestra, chamber music and choir. Aimed at young people aged 3-18 years, EYM takes place on Saturdays from 9.30am-1.30pm. Ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour, classes take place at George Watson’s College Junior School, EH10 5EG. Bursaries are available.
Portobello Music School offers group and individual tuition on Saturdays. Sessions are available from birth to S6 at CRE:8 Edinburgh College EH15 2PP. Funding may become available in the future, so do enquire.
St Mary’s Music School also runs Saturday music classes for children aged 4-12. Group instrumental tuition, Kodály, Singing and Theory classes are offered alongside individual instrumental tuition for children aged 7+. The school is located at 25 Grosvenor Crescent EH12 5EL. Financial assistance is available.
Forth School of Music deliver individual lessons and group classes for children age 3+ to adults from their very own studio space on Newhaven Road.
Everybody deserves extracurricular enrichment, regardless of their family’s financial status. So please look carefully at the individual listings for info. regarding concessions and bursaries. We would also recommend contacting the class organisers for updates regarding fees and financial assistance.
See our features looking at Creative Arts , Performing Arts and Sports extracurricular activities in more detail ■