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 £22 per term (£11 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
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Individual Instrumental and Vocal Lessons at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ |
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| Various instruments including: piano, guitar, violin, viola, cello, flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, drum kit. Contact us for availability. |
20 or 30 minute lessons Monday-Thursday from 4pm Saturday from 9am |
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Rock Out - Monday at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ |
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| All our contemporary ensembles and classes are for students who want to develop their skills playing a wide range of rock, pop, jazz and funk music. Students can attend a fully led, scheduled ensemble, and are then also supported to form their own groups, exploring and making their own music in the supervised practice sessions. To further support their development, we have theory sessions where they can learn more about why and how music is put together. In addition, they can further explore their skills as a song writer or music producer through our sessions run in partnership with Charanga VIP. | ||
| Activity | Age or standard | Day and Time |
| Junior Guitar Group | Beginner to Grade 2 | Monday 4.30-5.30pm |
| Guitar Group | Grade 2 + | Monday 5.40-6.40pm |
| Junior Funksters | Beginner to Grade 4 | Monday 4.30-5.30pm |
| Funk in the Forest | Grade 4 + | Monday 5.40-6.40pm |
| Songwriter’s Circle | Age 11+ | Monday 4.30-5.30pm |
| Beats and Bass Music Production | Age 11+ | Monday 5.40-6.40pm |
| Theory (30 minute groups) | Grades 1-5 | Monday 6.50-7.50pm |
| Band/supervised practice | Any level | Monday 6.50-7.50pm |
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Senior Music School - Wednesday at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ |
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| Wednesday night activities are aimed at students playing orchestral instruments, who are at Secondary school, and also those of any age who are at a more intermediate or advanced level. There are a variety of ensembles to join, ranging from small chamber groups to our flagship Youth Orchestra. There are also tiered theory lessons to help support practical progression. | ||
| Wind Band | Grade 3+ | Wednesday 4.30-5.20pm |
| Wind Quartet | Grade 1-4 | Wednesday 5.30-6.20pm |
| String Quartet | Grade 5+ | Wednesday 4.30-5.20pm |
| Dance Band | Grade 5+ | Wednesday 5.30-6.20pm |
| Youth Orchestra | Grade 4+ | Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm |
| Theory - 30 minute groups | Grades 1-5 | Wednesday 4.30-8.00pm |
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Satellite Music School - Thursday at Willowbrook Primary, Church Road E10 9BH |
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| This new satellite centre is for young people at schools in the south of the Borough to join a group where they can experience the fun of making music with others as soon as they start learning an instrument. As well as music groups to play in, there will be choir rehearsals and a fun ‘Music club’ they can join to develop a broader range of musical skills to support their progress. | ||
| Registration and snacks | Age 8-11 | Thurs 4-4.15pm |
| Beginner Mixed Ensemble | Age 8-11 | Thurs 4.15-5pm |
| Strings Group | Age 8-11 | Thurs 5.10-6pm |
| Wind/Brass Group | Age 8-11 | Thurs 5.10-6pm |
| Choir—20 minute groups | Age 8-11 | Thurs from 4.15pm |
| Music Club—20 minute musicianship groups | Age 8-11 | Thurs from 4.15pm |
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Junior Music School - Saturday at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ |
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| Aimed at those students at the start of their musical journey, Saturday Music School is an opportunity for children of Primary age to meet children from other schools, who share a similar hobby and can come together and enjoy a fun musical experience. They can come and spend the whole morning with WFMS, to play in a group, sing in a choir, enhance general music and performance skills and also understand more about how music is constructed through theory and creative lessons. | ||
| Music Club - 20 minute musicianship groups | Any level | Saturday 9am - 12.50pm |
| Beginner Multi Instrumental Ensemble | Pre Grade 1 | Saturday 9-9.50am |
| Strings group | Grade 1-3 | Saturday 10-10.50am |
| Wind/Brass Group | Grade 1-3 | Saturday 11-11.50am |
| Primary Little Choir of Joy | Age 5-8 | Saturday 10-10.50am |
| Junior Little Choir of Joy | Age 8-12 | Saturday 9-9.50am |
| Recorder Group | Age 8-12 | Saturday 11.50-12.40pm |
| Theory - 30 minute groups | Grade 1-2 | Saturday 9am - 11.30am |
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 |
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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)
Music school fees and booking Click to get info
| Activity | Price per 10 week term |
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Please pay online at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/music-service |
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| Individual lessons 20 mins | £145 / £100.50 low income* |
| Individual lessons 30 mins | £206 / £145 low income* |
| Instrument hire | £22 / £11 low income* |
| Music School Membership This entities your child to join one or more group |
£31 / £15.50 low income* |
| Theory lessons (30 minute group lesson) Price for students already at Music School |
£40.50 / £28.50 low income* |
| Theory lessons (30 minute group lesson) Price for students not at Music School |
£51 / £43.50 low income* |
| Beginner trombone/viola group inc. instrument hire | £30 |
| Baby Mini Musicians (18 months to 4 years) | £64.50 (first child) |
| Toddler Mini Musicians (up to 18 months) | £69.50 (first child) / £56 (second child) |
| Mini Musicians Next Steps (age 4 to 6) | £64.50 / £32.25 low income* |
| * Proof of low income is required to qualify for subsidised fees. Please show original copies of housing benefit or reduced Council Tax letter to the Music Service office. | |
Information and booking
Email: music.service@walthamforest.gov.uk
Phohne: 020 8496 1584
Office: The School Lodge, Woodbury Road E17 9SM (on the site of Walthamstow School for Girls)
Open Monday to Friday 10am-3pm during term time.
Website: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/music-service
Before attending a Music School Group or class you will need to complete a registration form - our staff can give you this or you can download it here.
Music school 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 |
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Autumn 18 |
Thursday 20 September to Saturday 20 October |
Monday 29 October to Thursday 6 December |
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Spring 19 |
Monday 7 January to Saturday 16 February |
Monday 25 February to Thursday 28 March |
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Summer 19 |
Wednesday 24 April to Thursday 23 May |
Monday 3 June to Monday 15 July |
Mini Musicians courses for 0-6 years Click to get info
| Mini Musicians at the Community Hub, Orford Road E17 9LN | ||
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Our music classes for babies and toddlers are a fun way for parents and children to connect and explore music together. Taught by professional musicians and Early Years Music Specialists our progressive curriculum uses a variety of musical activities to lay a foundation for future musicality, as well as helping children feeling more secure and confident when coping with new experiences. Singing and movement are always at the heart of every session. Our Next Steps course for children aged 4-6 years continues to develop musical skills while helping children to become more independent in their learning. It also prepares them to carry on studying a musical instrument if they wish to do so. |
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| Baby Mini Musicians | Birth - 18 months | Tuesday 11.15 - 12 midday |
| Toddler Mini Musicians | Age 18 months - 4 years | Tuesday 10.15 - 11am |
| Toddler Mini Musicians | Age 18 months - 4 years | Age 18 months - 4 years |
| Mini Musician Next Steps | Age 4 - 6 | Monday 4.30-5.15pm |
Prices
| Baby Mini Musicians (18 months to 4 years) | £64.50 (first child) |
| Toddler Mini Musicians (up to 18 months) | £69.50 (first child) / £56 (second child) |
| Mini Musicians Next Steps (age 4 to 6) | £64.50 / £32.25 low income* |
How to book
Please contact the Music Service to book these classes - spaces are limited:
music.service@walthamforest.gov.uk / 020 8496 1584
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