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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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 |
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Activity |
Age or standard |
Day and Time |
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Junior Guitar Group |
Beginner to Grade 2 |
Monday 4.30 to 5.30pm |
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String Quartet |
Grade 5+ |
Monday 4.30 to 5.20pm |
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Guitar Group |
Grade 2 + |
Monday 5.40 to 6.40pm |
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Junior Funksters |
Beginner to Grade 4 |
Monday 4.30 to 5.30pm |
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Funk in the Forest |
Grade 4 + |
Monday 5.40 to 7.10pm |
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Songwriter’s Circle |
Age 11+ |
Monday 5.40 to 6.40pm |
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Beats and Bass Music Production |
Age 11+ |
Monday 4.30 to 5.30pm |
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Theory (30 minute groups) |
Grades 1-5 |
Monday 6.50 to 7.50pm |
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Band/supervised practice |
Any level |
Monday 6.50 to 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. |
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Wind Band |
Grade 3+ |
Wednesday 4.30 to 5.20pm |
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Wind Quartet |
Grade 5+ |
Wednesday 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Strings Group |
Grade 1-4 |
Wednesday 5.30 to 6.20pm |
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Dance Band |
Grade 5+ |
Wednesday 5.30 to 6.30pm |
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Youth Orchestra |
Grade 4+ |
Wednesday 6.30 to 8.30pm |
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Theory - 30 minute groups |
Grades 1-5 |
Wednesday 4.30 to 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. |
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Pupils attending the 2 hour Music School will take part in a wide range of fun musical activities to develop their skills including: Squash will be available when they arrive and at break. For further information and registration, visit the eventbrite website |
Age 8-11 |
Thursday 4 to 6pm |
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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. |
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Beginner Multi Instrumental Ensemble |
Pre Grade 1 |
Saturday 9 to 9.50am |
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Strings Group |
Grade 1-3 |
Saturday 10 to10.50am |
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Wind/Brass Group |
Grade 1-3 |
Saturday 11 to11.50am |
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Primary Little Choir of Joy |
Age 5-8 |
Saturday 9 to 9.50am |
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Junior Little Choir of Joy |
Age 8-12 |
Saturday 10 to10.50am |
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Recorder Group |
Age 8-12 |
Saturday 11 to11.50am |
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Theory - 30 minute groups |
Grade 1-2 |
Saturday 9 to 11.30am |
Download Music School PDF timetable
Music school fees and booking Click to get info
| Activity | Price per 10 week term |
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Please pay online via the get stuff done links on the right hand side of this page |
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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
Phone: 020 8496 1584
Office: The School Lodge, Woodbury Road E17 9SM (on the site of Walthamstow School for Girls)
Open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm during term time.
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.
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Music School Terms |
First half term |
Second half term |
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Autumn 2019 |
Saturday 21 September to Saturday 19 October |
Monday 28 October to Thursday 5 December |
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Spring 2020 |
Saturday 11 January to Saturday 15 February |
Monday 24 February to Thu 26 March |
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Summer 2020 |
Monday 20 April to Saturday 23 May |
Monday 1 June to Saturday 4 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 to 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 to 18 months | Tuesday 11.15am to 12 midday |
| Toddler Mini Musicians | Age 18 months to 4 years | Tuesday 10.15am to 11am |
| Toddler Mini Musicians | Age 18 months to 4 years | Age 18 months to 4 years |
| Mini Musician Next Steps | Age 4 to 6 | Monday 4.30 to 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