Dear Parents, Carers and Pupils
We know how difficult this last year has been for our young musicians and singers. It is nearly a year since pupils have been able to play music together at School, SMC or as part of Solihull Music Service group.
I am extremely proud of SMS/SMC staff for rising to the challenge and working incredibly hard to create online resources, deliver online lessons and limited ensemble provision. However, we are very aware that some pupils have not been able to engage due to the nature of their instrument and ensemble they play in.
With that in mind I am determined that we are ready to “GO FOR IT” when we come out of this third lockdown and be ready to rebuild and make music.
So, with that in mind we have a “two-pronged attack” to reengage existing pupils that have not been able to access musical opportunities during the pandemic, and we hope recruit new pupils for the future.
- SMC – Working in partnership with the Rock and Pop Festival Trust I am delighted to announce we are creating “inspire and engage” sessions with ex Solihull students that have gone on and had very successful careers in music/theatre. These sessions are open to any pupil and are not instrument specific. I would also like to invite parents to these sessions to remind them that music does not need to just be a ‘hobby’ but has a feasible and successful career path. Please click on the names below for details: We are very grateful that they have agreed to do these sessions for us.
Fred Cox – Becoming a Record Producer – February 27th 11.30am
Mike Dunne – Becoming a West End musician – March 6th 11.30am
Lorna Want – Becoming a West End Star! – March 13th 11.30am
Jimmy Sims – Becoming a Session musician – March 20th 11.30am
I hope you will join us for all these sessions, and it will prove a turning point for restarting our music making this year. The details on how to sign up are included in the links – get involved and ask questions!
- Working with Coventry and Warwickshire Music Services I am creating midweek sessions to inspire our young musicians. The aim behind these sessions is to get our pupils ready to start playing again and to remind them of the musical ensemble opportunities available to them as we get a clearer picture out of “lockdown.” We hope there will be 6 of these instrument specific sessions. The first one is planned for this Thursday 11th February at 7.00pm for all our Brass players. Details are available here.
11th March Confirmed: String workshop with Alex Lang details here:
Please keep an eye on our website and twitter feed and GET INVOVLED – These are amazing opportunities!
Best wishes
Mr R Jones