Autumn term 2020
We plan to return to a face-to-face provision as soon as it is safe to do so, but in the meantime, following a successful summer term of online tuition and Music Centre activities, our autumn term will be online to ensure that Merton’s young musicians can keep making music.
If your child doesn’t already learn an instrument (or doesn’t have access to an instrument at home) we would suggest:
Merton Young Voices choir / Sat 9am
Beginner Recorder / Wed 4.30pm (recorder required but they’re easily available online for under £10)
Autumn Timetable
NB. This is a provisional timetable and groups will be finalised at the beginning of September. If you sign your child up over the summer break, you will hear from us at the end of August.
Zoom links will be posted for each group before the beginning of term and you will be emailed the password(s) for your session(s).
MONDAYS
In order to progress beyond ABRSM Grade 5 on your instrument you will need to pass Grade 5 Theory. This is an ideal time to match your performance skills by engaging in one of our online theory classes
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In order to progress beyond ABRSM Grade 5 on your instrument you will need to pass Grade 5 Theory. This is an ideal time to match your performance skills by engaging in one of our online theory classes online theory classes.
Meeting ID: tba
In order to progress beyond ABRSM Grade 5 on your instrument you will need to pass Grade 5 Theory. This is an ideal time to match your performance skills by engaging in one of our online theory classes online theory classes.
Meeting ID: tba
Senior Guitar Ensemble is for students Grade 3 standard and above. The repertoire is varied and children are encouraged to challenge themselves.
All guitar groups are invited to play at the Royal Albert Hall in a massed guitar ensemble, last year they performed Pirates of the Caribbean. Members of this group also have the opportunity to go on tour.
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This is a chance for players who have already done a bit of improvising and perhaps played in a jazz group before to learn more about the music and develop their understanding and confidence improvising on common jazz structures. We’ll listen to some great music and learn about some of the most influential jazz musicians, how to read chord symbols and how to approach improvising on them. We’ll explore other common ingredients such as modes, and discuss how improvisers practice to become comfortable using them. By the end of term we should all feel a lot more confident when we see a solo section rushing towards us on a MYJO chart.
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WEDNESDAYS
For complete beginners. Learn a new skill in lockdown! Dig out your old descant recorder or you can purchase one for less than £10 on Amazon. Learn how to read musical notation and understand basic theory as well as play some tunes to entertain your family. No previous musical experience needed.
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Can you play G, A, G, C and D on the recorder? Have you been learning recorder at school and are missing it? This is the group for you!! Join us at 4pm to learn some new tunes and make new friends online.
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We hope you are keeping up with your practice and remembering to do your basic warm- up exercises every day. It's been a good few months since our last concert at New Wimbledon Theatre for our Big Night Out which was a great success. It might be a while before we can perform together again but everyone needs to be match fit, which means regular playing. Watch this space for some interesting Music Centre activities and catch up with Stevie who is missing you all!! NB This is a weekly rehearsal.
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THURSDAYS
In order to progress beyond ABRSM Grade 5 on your instrument you will need to pass Grade 5 Theory. This is an ideal time to match your performance skills by engaging in one of our online theory classes online theory classes.
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We are pleased to offer a brand new conducting course led by our tutor Billy Fisher. This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in conducting an ensemble, learning how to read and mark up a score and how to rehearse a band. We will cover the basic conducting technique across various genres and time signatures as well as approaching performance directions and how to lead an ensemble from the front.
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SATURDAYS
The KS2 junior choir sessions will offer members the chance to keep their voices in tip-top shape, learn some new songs, brush up on their general musicianship and improve their aural skills.
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This e-rehearsal will give all members of the Training and Intermediate bands a chance to connect up each week and continue to improve their ensemble skills.
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This is for children starting on their musical journey. As soon as the child can play five notes on a classical guitar they are able to join. The emphasis is on playing together, improving sight reading and fluency of playing different genres of music. All guitar groups are invited to play at the Royal Albert Hall in a massed guitar ensemble, last year they performed Pirates of the Caribbean.
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String Busters introduces young string players to the joy of playing as part of an ensemble. Children who have mostly had only individual lessons, now get to experience a different dimension of playing, where different groups of players combine their music parts to produce a multi-layered piece! In this group, young musicians learn the basic skills of ensemble playing, through games, exercises and repertoire, which give the essential foundation for later joining their first orchestra!
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This is for students who are Grade 1 standard and above. Students are introduced to more complex part-playing. Varied styles of music are introduced including blues, jazz, classical music. Emphasis is on improving ensemble skills whilst having fun playing. All guitar groups are invited to play at the Royal Albert Hall in a massed guitar ensemble, last year they performed Pirates of the Caribbean.
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These sessions for Violins, Violas and Cellos will focus on sectional work and tips for improving all aspects of your string-playing ensemble skills.
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We are delighted to offer a brand new ukulele course led by our tutor Billy Fisher. The course is ideal for beginners as well as those with some knowledge of the instrument and those who wish to brush up on their skills. We will cover basic chord progressions that will enable you to play many songs plus some more advance chords and techniques for those more complex pieces. Access to your own ukulele is essential for this course.
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This weekly session is ideal for junior level players and singers, including those who haven’t tried playing jazz before. We will listen to some great jazz together and learn about some of the most important and influential jazz musicians. You’ll discover how jazz improvisation works and explore common types of song that jazz musicians love to play and improvise around. By the end of term we will all have had a go at improvising using some simple ingredients on our instruments at home.
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SIGN-UP FOR MUSIC CENTRE
E-Music Centre projects & resources
Click below to find and download the sheet music for your child’s ensemble(s).Sheet music downloads
E-Music Centre fees:
Music Centre is membership-based and charged by the academic term. Membership costs £99 per term (of 10 weeks) with a discount of £19 offered for each additional sibling. Music Centre members have access to all of our classes and groups (subject to instrument, ability and availability). For more information contact us.
Sessions take place online via the video conferencing platform, Zoom. This video will help you to get set up and has the relevant links.
Please read our new ONLINE LEARNING CODE OF CONDUCT before signing up. All MMF tutors, pupils and members of their respective households will be expected to adhere to this in order to ensure the safety, privacy and wellbeing of all parties. SIGN-UP
