Instrumental and singing lessons Click to get info
We provide lessons to schools across Waltham Forest. The instruments vary from school to school and can include:
- Brass: cornet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba
- Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, recorder
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Percussion and drum kit
- Guitar (acoustic, electric and bass)
- Piano and keyboard
- Singing
How to book
For lessons at your child's school, contact your school's Head of Music or Music Co-ordinator to see what instruments are available.
If the instrument your child wishes to learn isn’t available at the school, ask the school to contact the Music Service to see if lessons can be provided in school.
Individual instrumental tuition is also available after school and on Saturdays at our Music School (although there can be a waiting list).
To register your interest, complete and return the form below:
- by email to music.service@walthamforest.gov.uk
- by post to Waltham Forest Music Service, The School Lodge, Woodbury Rd E17 9SB
Affordable instrument hire and purchase Click to get info
The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) supports young musicians by making instrument buying more realistic and affordable. If your child is learning with WFMS you may be eligible to buy an instrument through us and save the VAT. To take advantage of this, speak to your child's instrumental teacher about what make and model to consider. Then, contact the WFMS office to discuss eligibility and the next steps.
You can hire an instrument for £21 per term (£10.50 for families on a low income).
How to hire
- Your child’s teacher will fill in a hire form and give it to your child (including the best size of instrument)
- Your child brings the form home for you to complete your details
- Call us on 020 8496 1584 to arrange collection of your instrument from the Music Service Office, The School Lodge, Woodbury Rd, E17 9SB OR from one of the libraries in Waltham Forest.
Please note libraries do not hold instrument stock this must be confirmed with the Music Service Office so delivery can be arranged.
Groups and ensembles Click to get info
We run a variety of groups and ensembles for instrumentalists and singers of all abilities. Here, children can use the skills they develop in lessons, while improving their confidence and performance ability through a fun and sociable learning experience.
Music School pupils have regular performance and workshop opportunities. Our groups have recently performed at the Barbican, Cadogan Hall and Trafalgar Square.
Get information on when and where our groups meet in our timetable for groups and ensembles section.
Junior Guitar Group
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1
For children who have just started to play guitar and want to learn the basics of playing both single notes and chords. There will be opportunities for live performances which are great fun and help to develop confidence and skill.
Beginner Winds
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1 | Instrument: All woodwind and brass
An entry level wind ensemble for children who have been learning a woodwind or brass instrument for about a term and now want to experience the enjoyment of playing and performing with others as part of a group. We play pieces that are fun and accessible and are designed to enhance confidence and ensemble skills. Weekly rehearsals lead towards a concert performance at the end of every term.
Woodland Strings
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1 | Instrument: Violin, viola, cello, double bass
A string ensemble of violinists, violists, cellists and double bassists with a repertoire varied in style and including jazz, classical and world music. Designed to serve as a foundation for ensemble orchestral experience, progress is showcased in a performance at the end of each term to give our young musicians an early taste of performing.
Drumming Group
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1
Aimed at children aged 8+ who are already learning an instrument and want to improve their rhythm skills, or beginners who have an interest in learning percussion. The group will play different styles of percussion music, such as Brazilian Samba and African Djembe drumming.
Junior Choir
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1 | Age: 6+
A mixed voice ensemble open to children of all abilities from age 6. Through a wide range of songs from classical to pop, including musicals and world music, we cover all aspects of the singing technique to build a solid foundation for singers and performers. All sessions begin with fun movement, vocal warm-ups, technical exercises and singing games. No previous musical training is necessary but bags of enthusiasm are.
Recorder Group
Level: Beginner – pre Grade 1
Learn how to play the recorder and read music notation with new friends. Develop your skills through musical activities and games, and learn music to play on our own as well as with others. Come and join in the fun!
Guitar Group
Level: Junior - Grade 1-2
Aimed at students who have experience reading Guitar Tab and playing chords - barre and open. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded musicians who want to have fun playing popular songs and gain performance experience. The group rehearse during the school term and actively choose repertoire, usually in the rock or pop genre, incorporating drummers, bassists and vocalists.
Training Wind Band
Level: Junior - Grade 1-2 | Instrument: All woodwind
For students of any wind instrument who want to play and explore music in various styles. From pieces with backing tracks and singing, to those that are well known with percussion, we add to our musical knowledge and instrumental technique by learning from new friends and different instruments, playing repertoire with many parts.
Saturday Strings
Level: Junior - Grade 1-2 | Instrument: All string
An ensemble for young string players who want to develop their newly acquired skills in understanding dynamics, getting to grips with different finger positions and an appreciation of interpretation. Rehearsals are varied and involve a mixture of working from sheet music, and using improvisation and various musical tools to enhance the experience of learning. Performances take place at the end of every term in various venues, included Walthamstow Assembly Hall.
Funk in the Forest
Level: Intermediate - Grade 3+ | Instrument: Trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drums
A classic small jazz-funk combo consisting of front line trumpets, saxophones, trombones and rhythm section guitar, piano, bass and drums. The ensemble gives students an opportunity to perform in the styles of jazz, funk, rock and soul, along with developing more creative skills, such as improvisation and composition.
Wind Band
Level: Intermediate - Grade 3+ | Instrument: All woodwind, brass and percussion
A fantastic opportunity to experience fun music making and to meet new friends who are at a similar standard on their instruments. Join our musical family and learn about ensemble playing and team work, while experiencing an exciting new way of progressing on your instrument. We play a wide range of repertoire including classical, soul and film music.
Forest Strings
Level: Intermediate - Grade 3+ | Instrument: All string
Following on from Woodland Strings and Saturday Strings, this is a wonderful opportunity for more advanced musicians to play an eclectic and diverse mix of repertoire, meet like-minded individuals, and share the fulfilling and essential experience of making music together. Each term culminates in an exciting concert. Forest Strings provides a firm foundation for progression to the Youth Orchestra.
Dance Band
Level: Advanced - Grade 5 | Instrument: Flute, clarinet, alto sax, violin, viola, bass guitar
A small group for individual musicians, we perform special arrangements of 30s, 40s and more recent songs composed, for example, by Gershwin or Cole Porter. More members are always welcome.
Youth Orchestra
Level: Advanced - Grade 4+ | Instrument: All string, woodwind, brass and percussion
Join one of our most advanced groups and cover core classical repertoire, from Beethoven to Mozart, with the opportunity to regularly perform at various venues around the borough. This is a great opportunity for young musicians to develop their ensemble skills to a high level and share their love of music with like-minded instrumentalists.
Composition Club
Age: 11+
For students in Year 7 and above who have a good technical foundation on their instrument and some experience with music theory. The group is based on learning and using different techniques for writing music, with an opportunity to get help with any school work that involves this, e.g. GCSE music coursework. Students have the opportunity to play their works, or have them played, at the end of term music school concerts.
Baby Mini Musicians | Age: 3–18 months
Toddler Mini Musicians | Age: 18 months – 4 years
Music is a great tool for language and social development. Mini Musicians for babies and toddlers are a fun way for parents and children to interact with each other through music. These classes are designed to help children feel more secure so they can cope better with new experiences, whilst having fun with a huge repertoire of songs, rhymes, action and rhythm games and dance. Daily routines such as nappy changing, bath time, meal times, waking and sleeping are more enjoyable if done using a wide range of musical activities. Singing is at the heart of these sessions but we also use musical instruments and toys to accompany some of the songs, so expect to do lots of physical movements too!
Mini Musicians Next Steps | Age: 4-6 years
Mini Musicians Next Steps is a new exciting opportunity for children aged 4-6 to learn about musical concepts through singing, playing and dancing. This 10 week course offers an invaluable chance to experience and enjoy music as listeners, creators and performers, whilst laying the foundation for future instrumental and vocal training. During the course children will engage in a wide range of activities that focus on vocal development and learning about musical elements such as tempo, rhythm, pitch and dynamics.
Trombone group
Level: Beginner
A small group for six complete beginner students to master the basics of the trombone. Instrument hire is included in special price of £30 for 10 x 30 minute lessons.
Groups and ensembles 2018-19 timetable Click to get info
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Beginner - pre Grade 1 |
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Junior Guitar Group (Mission Grove Primary School E17 7EJ) |
Monday | 4 to 5pm |
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Beginner Winds |
Monday | 4.30 to 5.30pm |
| Beginner Trombones (limited places) | Tuesday | 5.30 to 6pm |
|
Woodland Strings |
Thursday | 4.15 to 5.15pm |
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Drumming Group |
Thursday | 6.30 to 7.30pm |
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Junior Choir |
Saturday | 10.30 to 11.30am |
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Recorder Group |
Saturday | 12.15 to 1pm |
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Junior - Grade 1-2 |
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Guitar Group |
Tuesday | 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Wind Band G1 3+ |
Wednesday | 4.30 to 5.30pm |
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Saturday Strings |
Saturday | 9.15 to 10.15am |
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Intermediate - Age 11+ |
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| Composition Club | Thursday | 4.15 to 5.15pm |
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Intermediate - Grade 3+ |
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Funk in the Forest |
Monday | 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Wind Band G1 3+ |
Wednesday | 4.30 to 5.30pm |
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Forest Strings |
Thursday | 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Advanced - Grade 4+ |
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Dance Band |
Wednesday | 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Youth Orchestra |
Wednesday | 6.30 to 8.30pm |
Music School tuition and ensembles take place at: Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill, E17 9RZ
* Held at Mission Grove Primary School, Buxton Road E17 7EJ.
Fees
Music School membership is £30 per 10 week term (£15 for families on a low income).
How to book
To join a Music School group just arrive 15 minutes before the start of the class to register. You’ll need to complete a Health and Safety form before your child starts their class - our staff can give you this or you can download it here.
Download Health and Safety form (PDF)
Theory lessons and prices Click to get info
We offer theory classes in small, relaxed groups at our Music School to help develop your child’s understanding of music. Thirty minute classes are available on:
- Mondays 4pm to 7pm
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 4.30pm to 5.30pm
- Saturday, 8.30am to 10.30am
Fees
- £39 for each 10 week term for Music School students (£27.50 for families on a low income)
- £49.50 for each 10 week term for non-Music School students (£42 for families on a low income)
How to book
To join a theory group just arrive 15 minutes before the start of the class to register. You’ll need to complete a Health and Safety form before your child starts their class - our staff can give you this or you can download it here.
Music school prices and dates Click to get info
Each teaching term lasts 10 weeks - fees are calculated as a share of the total price for those starting during the term. We need a half term’s notice to cancel lessons.
One membership covers any number of Music School groups.
A free taster session is available on request.
Prices shown are per term.
| Music School Tuition | Length (mins) | Full Price | Low income* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual lessons | 20 | £140.50 | £97.50 |
| Individual lessons | 30 | £200 | £140.50 |
| Adult Lessons | 60 | £45 | NA |
Theory
| Group | Full Price | Low income* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning at WFMS | 30 | £39 | £27.50 |
| Not learning at WFMS | 30 | £49.50 | £42 |
| Beginner trombone group (30 mins) inc. instrument hire | £30 |
Other charges
| Full Price | Low income* | |
|---|---|---|
| Music School Ensemble Membership | £30 | £15 |
| Instrument Hire | £21 | £10.50 |
* Proof of low income is required to qualify for reduced fees. Please show original copies of housing benefit or reduced Council Tax letter to the Music Service office.
Toddler and baby groups
| Full Price | |
|---|---|
| Toddler Mini Musicians: first child | £67.50 |
| Toddler Mini Musicians: second child | £54 |
| Baby Mini Musicians: first child | £59.50 |
| Baby Mini Musicians: second child | £46.50 |
| Mini Musicians Next Steps: first child | £59.50 £30.50 Low income |
Music School dates 2018-19
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|
First half term |
Second half term |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn 18 |
Thursday 20 September to Saturday 20 October |
Monday 29 October to Thursday 6 December |
|
Spring 19 |
Monday 7 January to Saturday 16 February |
Monday 25 February to Thursday 28 March |
|
Summer 19 |
Wednesday 24 April to Thursday 23 May |
Monday 3 June to Monday 15 July |
Baby and toddler groups, times and prices Click to get info
We run music making sessions for babies and toddlers. From September 2018 classes will be held at:
The Community Hub, Orford Road, Walthamstow E17 Music Service, 12 Church Hill, Walthamstow E17 9LN
Taught by Early Years Music specialists, the classes include singing, dancing and playing with lots of different instruments.
- Baby Mini Musicians (birth - 18 months): Tuesdays, 11.15 to 12 midday
- Toddler Mini Musicians (18 months to 4 years): Tuesdays, 10.15 to 11am
- Toddler Mini Musicians (18 months to 4 years): Fridays, 10.15 to 11am and 11.15 to 12 midday
We also run a ‘Mini Musician Next Steps’ class for children who are ready for the next step in music making. This class is held at our Music School at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ:
- Mini Musician Next Steps (age 4 to 7): Mondays 4 to 4.45pm
Prices
- Baby Mini Musicians: first child £59.50, second child £46.50
- Toddler Mini Musicians: first child £67.50, second child £54
- Next Steps: £59.50 full price; concession £30.50
How to book
Please contact the Music Service by email to music.service@walthamforest.gov.uk / 020 8496 1584 to book these classes - spaces are limited.
Performance dates Click to get info
Summer 2018
| 15 June | 5pm Absolute Beginners Concert, 12 Church Hill |
| 16 June | ABRSM Theory exams |
| 20 June | Battle of the Bands, Leyton Sixth Form |
| 28 June | WFMS Solo Performance Concert, Leyton Sixth Form College |
| 30 June & 7 July | ABRSM exam rehearsals |
| 2, 3, 4 July | WFMS Summer Festival, Waltham Forest Assembly Hall |
| 5 July | 10 years of LSO On Track at the Barbican |
| 7 July | Composition Group and Clios Company performance |
| 9, 10, 11 July | ABRSM Practical Exams, 12 Church Hill |
| 13 July | Beginners Concert, 12 Church Hill |
| 14, 15 July | Walthamstow Garden Party |
Instrumental and singing exams Click to get info
We hold exams each term with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Rockschool Ltd at our music school. The exams lay good foundations for music making while encouraging students to reach their full potential.
We support pupils all the way through their exam preparation by:
- providing an accompanist and extra rehearsal sessions
- offering theory and aural classes to boost exam success
- holding a Certificate Presentation Concert to celebrate high achievers