Introduction
Download the Band Time 2019-20 Handbook
Band Time is a programme for under 11s which builds on our highly successful String Time Programme. Band Time offers children aged from 3 to 11 the opportunity to benefit from a range of musical activities and take up a wind or brass instrument from Year 4 providing access to the musical tuition offered by Trinity Laban, a leading conservatoire of music and dance. Lessons and classes are delivered by experienced Trinity Laban teachers and there are many opportunities for links with the under 11s String Time Programme and Junior Trinity Main Programme for 11-19 year olds.
Band Time is also a fantastic way to meet new friends and have fun while learning a new instrument!
When can my child join?
Children can join Band Time in their Nursery year in school and stay with the programme until Year 6 (or Year 7 if staff believe this would help students to prepare to audition for Junior Trinity’s Main Programme for 11-19 year olds).
There are 15 new Nursery (Teenies 1) places available every academic year and there may be spaces available for entry points in all subsequent years depending on continuing student numbers. Children who would like to take up a wind or brass instrument can join in Year 4 . It is advisable that children wishing to enter in Year 4 have some prior musical experience.
What instrument can my child learn?
Wind and Brass instruments offered on the Band Time programme
Children cannot take up a wind or brass instrument until they reach Year 4 and their adult front teeth have come through. This is because until their adult teeth come through, the shape of their mouths is not settled and this is vital for them to be able to progress on the instruments. Therefore, all children start on the recorder first when they reach Year 2 to build on the basic musical notation skills they have started to develop in Teenies, and to introduce them to a wind/brass instrument, exploring how to create a sound using breath and blowing.
When children reach Year 4 they can choose from the following instruments, whilst continuing with the recorder:
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Short Reach Bassoon
- French Horn
- Trumpet
- PBone (the starter instrument for the trombone)
- Flute
Continuing with Recorder Ensemble in Year 4
All children continue with recorder ensemble as they take up a new instrument. This is very important for a number of reasons. The children will have become quite proficient on recorder and we couldn’t take this away from them. It is also vital to keep their enjoyment up; they will become beginners again when they start their new wind or brass instrument and having the opportunity to play in recorder ensemble will allow them to be reminded how proficient they already are on an instrument.
We will hold a session in early September for those children joining the programme in Years 4 and 5 to assess their interest in, and suitability for, particular instruments. Advice on which instruments children are best suited to play will be based both on the physical suitability of child to be able to manage certain instruments and on the places available for each instrument. During the first term, children will be assessed on whether the instrument they have chosen is right for them, and offered an alternative if appropriate.
When do lessons take place?
All Band Time classes currently take place on a Saturday at King Charles Court. Band Time plans to provide some lessons in Meridian Primary School when guidance allows a return to a full Junior Trinity timetable.
Lessons and classes are delivered by experienced Trinity Laban teachers and there are many opportunities for links with the under 11s String Time Programme and Junior Trinity Main Programme for 11-19 year olds.
Classes
Classes and lessons across the Band Time Programme
Band Time is an incremental programme, with more classes added as the children progress through the programme. Below is a list of what classes you can expect in each age group (please note that there is currently no choir provision – this will be reinstated when guidance permits):
Band Time Programme
|
Year group
|
Programme |
Classes |
|
Nursery |
Teenies 1 |
45 minute general music class |
|
Reception |
Teenies 2 |
45 minute general music class |
|
Year 1 |
Foundation (Teenies 3) |
45 minute general music class |
|
Year 2 |
Recorders 1 |
30 minute group recorder lesson 30 minute group musicianship class |
|
Year 3 |
Recorders 2 |
45 minute group recorder lesson 45 minute group musicianship class |
|
Year 4 |
Wind & Brass 1 |
30 minute recorder class 45 minute small group wind or brass lesson 45 minute choir 30 minute musicianship 45 minute wind and brass ensemble |
|
Year 5 |
Wind & Brass 2 |
30 minute recorder class 45 minute small group wind or brass lesson 45 minute choir 30 minute musicianship 45 minute wind and brass ensemble |
|
Year 6 |
Wind & Brass 3 |
30 minute recorder class 45 minute small group wind or brass lesson 45 minute choir 45 minute musicianship 45 minute wind and brass ensemble 30 minute individual lesson (optional and at additional charge) |
How can my child access a wind or brass instrument?
We can recommend instrument suppliers that hire or sell instruments to new students. Families for whom financial barriers may be an issue can borrow from a small selection of instruments we have available. Details of how to apply for our instrument loan scheme will be provided once places on Band Time have been confirmed.