The following information was included on the initial leaflet about the band and should answer any questions you may have. If not, please contact Arts in Education on 0116 2700850 or by email artsined@leics.gov.uk

We are very pleased to announce an exciting “starter” band that we are setting up in September for young people learning a brass, wind or percussion instrument through the Wider Opportunities and beginner teaching programmes in the city and county.  Leicester-Shire Arts in Education has a long established tradition of youth bands and orchestras meeting on Saturday morning in Leicester. Since many more young people are now beginning to learn to play instruments we want to give them the chance to join a band suited to their level of playing.  We know from young musicians already playing in our bands and orchestras that joining an ensemble brings their music making to life giving lessons and practice a sense of real purpose. It is also a great way of socialising and sharing an interest.

It is a band for up to 110 young people learning brass, wind and percussion instruments. The band will run on Saturday mornings in term time, 10.00am -12.45pm at one of the venues near Knighton Fields Arts Centre.

We will provide places on the network of buses that we currently organise from pick up points in the city and county on Saturday mornings.

Students in school years 5 or 6 now will need at least one year’s instrumental teaching to join this new band or be of Grade 1 standard. Some students may have been learning through a Leicester-Shire Arts Wider Opportunities project in school. Other students will have taken part in individual or small group beginner lessons. In order to be part of this band you should be continuing with instrumental lessons through Leicester-Shire Arts in Education. Your school will be able to provide more information about lessons. As part of the teaching package in your school we will provide free loan of an instrument for learners continuing after a Wider Opportunities programme.

No. We hope to be able to accommodate everyone who is interested but the band will obviously need a balance of instruments and players. If we cannot offer you a place straight away you will be put on a waiting list or offered a place in another instrumental ensemble such as the Junior Brass Ensemble, Junior Clarinet/Woodwind Ensemble or Flute Ensemble. This band will be a two year programme and then the young musicians can audition for other Saturday morning bands with Leicester-Shire Arts in Education.

Autumn term 2009:

Bus: no charge;    Band Membership: no charge.

Spring term 2010:

Bus: £26.00 per term; Band Membership: no charge.

Summer term 2010:

Bus; £26.00 per term Band Membership: £32.00 per term (i.e. 50% of full charge for our bands)

Academic year 2010/2011: We are seeking funding to continue the subsidised membership charge at 50% of full charge but this is not yet finalised.

Relevant termly charges will apply according to the term that students join the Band

Leicester-Shire Arts in Education is the arts service of the county and city Children and Young People’s Services. We provide specialist teaching, support for schools and performance opportunities for local young people in Music, Dance and Drama.

Your school has information they can give you.  Alternatively, please contact Andy Wales, Senior Administrator,  Leicester-Shire Arts in Education, Knighton Fields Centre, Herrick Road, Leicester, LE2 6DH , Tel 0116 2700850.

Wider Opportunities Funding Report   (pdf doc. 600kb)

Dear Colleague

During the Summer and Autumn Terms 2009 the Federation of Music Services commisioned a study focusing on the impact of the Wider Opportunities Programme.  Attached is the summary surrounding this study and its findings.  In schools where the programme is working well the impact and benefits are enormous.  This study has been funded by DCSF and the FMS.

It makes very interesting reading.  If you would like the entire document please contact me: sandy.hay@leics.gov.uk

Best wishes

Sandy Hay (Head of Music)