DONCASTER MUSIC SERVICE
Danum Road, Doncaster DN4 5HE.
Tel 01302 734810 / 734811

NEWSLETTER
Number 31       NOVEMBER 2002



DIARY

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Saturday 7 December
Concerts at Hall Cross Lower School for Saturday Orchestras as follows:
9.45am and 10.45am Orchestras:--
Concerts at normal rehearsal times
11.45 and 12.45 orchestras Concert at 11.45am

Percussion Ensemble concert at WAMC in Room 8 at 11am

Choral Concert-Doncaster Dome
The Joy of Christmas
Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Symphony Orchestras, 13 Primary & Special Schools 7.00pm Rehearsal at 2pm

Sunday 8 December
Concert at Hall Cross Lower School
Beechfield Youth Orchestra at 3pm
(The Wind Quintet will play in the foyer prior to the concert)

Tuesday 10 December
Concert at WAMC
Mr Merrett's Electric Guitar Groups at 7.00pm in the Hall
(Note the change of day)

 

 

Saturday 14 December
Concerts at Hall Cross Lower School for all Saturday Bands
The concerts will be at normal rehearsal times
Doncaster Schools' Symphonic Band the final concert of the day at 7.30pm

Saturday 14 December
Concerts at WAMC for Saturday Guitar Groups
Mr Belbin-Wood's 10.30 and 11.30 groups in the Hall at 11.00am

Saturday 14 December
There will be no rehearsals for Saturday Orchestras, and no theory classes and no instrumental lessons on this day.

Sunday 15 December
Concert at Thorne Grammar School
Vermuyden Concert Band 7.30pm

Wednesday 18 December
Concert at WAMC
Mr Nockalls' Guitar Groups at 7.00pm in the Hall

Thursday 19 December
Concert at WAMC
Recorder Groups and the Appleby Choir at 5.45pm in Room 8

 

Concert clothes: dark trousers/skirts, white shirts/blouses. Please would band and orchestra players arrive at least 15 minutes before their concert.

There will be no tickets except for the Dome Concert but a collection will be taken at the end of each concert. As usual with our Christmas Concerts, the proceeds will be equally divided between a charity and the Music Service. This Christmas we have chosen Childline.

DIRECTIONS TO HALL CROSS LOWER SCHOOL

From the south (Cantley/Bessacarr) turn first left after Cantley traffic lights down St Augustine's Road then turn left onto St Michaels Road. From the Race Course roundabout, proceed along Bawtry Road to the Cantley traffic lights and turn right in a U turn. Then turn first left down St Augustine's Road then left onto St Michael's Road, Bessacarr, Doncaster DN4 5LU.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

The Music Centre will close on Friday 20 December. Classes will start again on Monday 6 January.

CAR PARKING

In the interest of safety of Music Centre children, please would parents park their car in the designated spaces when dropping pupils off or picking them up. Please do not park in an ad hoc way in the area in front of the Music Centre entrance. Thank you for your help.

LOST PROPERTY

There is a significant amount of unclaimed property. If your child has lost anything, please call at the WAMC office. We shall dispose of clothing and other lost property to charity shops during the week before the Christmas holiday.

WORKSHOPS

String Workshop 25/26 January 2003

We are pleased to invite advanced players, both adults and students, to take part in a workshop conducted by John Pearson. The programme will include a selection of well known popular string music. There will be an informal concert at 3.30pm on 26 January in the WAMC Hall. Full details may be obtained from the WAMC office (01302 734810).

ADULT CLASSES

New classes have already begun. There are still a few vacancies left in our current classes, for violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, keyboard and guitar. Both beginners and experienced players are welcome. For details, please contact WAMC office (01302 734810).

INSTRUMENT PURCHASE SCHEME

The Doncaster Music Service is able to offer parents or guardians the opportunity to purchase new musical instruments at a discounted price and without the addition of VAT. Considerable savings can be achieved. Some second hand instruments may also be available. The offer is subject to the continuation of approval by Customs & Excise and certain conditions must be met.

If you are interested in the scheme please ask your son/daughter to contact his/her Peripatetic Music Teacher or collect a leaflet from the Music Centre reception.

DANUM STRINGS

If you already play a string instrument why don't you join Danum Strings'. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings 7.00-8.15 pm. Just come along. Cost per term 14.60, 11.00 concessions, 7.30 students.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Could the parent of any child with a medical problem or illness please make sure the music centre is aware of it so that our staff know how to respond in an emergency.

MUSIC MAKERS

For pre-school and infant children with their carers. The sessions are fun and include singing, dancing, instrumental playing and play-acting. Classes take place on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons for pre school children and Tuesday evening for infants.

INSTRUMENTS TO BUY AND SELL

If anyone wishes to buy or sell used musical instruments, there is now a dedicated page for advertisements on the Music Service webiste.

Go to: www.wamc.org.uk/forsale

GIFTED AND TALENTED

The Music Service has attracted funding to provide opportunities for Gifted and Talented musicians. One of the four projects is a short series of rehearsals leading to a concert for percussionists and string players. String players should be of at least Grade 6 standard. The programme will include pieces by Michael Torke, Arvo Pärt, Patrick Larley and Steve Reich amongst others. Rehearsals will be on Sundays after February half-term.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

On Saturday 23 November , there will be an exhibition of Woodwind and Brass instruments in Room 18 from 9:00am until 4:15 pm. There will be opportunities for trying and buying instruments, as well as a range of accessories including mouthpieces. Don't forget that you can save pounds through our instrumental purchase scheme.

THEORY

You will probably be aware by now that practical and theory exams can add a significant number of points on the UCAS tariff for those entering college / university from September 2004. (See www.ucas.ac.org for further information). We already offer specialist tuition in all grades of theory but the classes for Grade 6 and above are growing. Don't miss out on this opportunity to boost your points for entry to higher education. Also, don't forget that you need Grade 5 theory to progress to Grade 6 practical and beyond. It's never too early to start working on your theory! Please contact the music centre for more details or visit the theory staff on Saturdays in room 4, between 11:00am and 4:00pm.


Examination Results

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
July 2002
 DistinctionMeritPassFailTotal
Grade 19 43 467 105
Grade 2 7929247
Grade 3 216243 45
Grade 4 4 10 22 3 45
Grade 5 0 5 40 9
Grade 6 0 3 3 17
Grade 7 0 2406
Grade 82022 6
Total 24 88 134 18264
 

  Trinity College London
July 2002
 DistinctionMeritPassFailTotal
Initial 2 47114
Grade 1 4 98122
Grade 2 1811222
Grade 3 23409
Grade 413217
Grade 5 03205
Grade 6 00000
Grade 7 00000
Grade 810203
Total 113036582