Give your child the gift of Music this New Year

TUE 04 DEC 2018

Parents looking for new musical activities for their children in January should know that we have a wealth of opportunities on offer at our Music Centres which are perfect for those resolving to learn an instrument this New Year. 

Beginning in January at Music Centres in Horsham and Chichester, Music Club will offer 5 to 7 year olds up to two terms of immersive, child-led music-making, designed to tap into their natural curiosity and motivation to explore sound.“Music Club will provide a nurturing and inclusive space for learning through imitation, repetition and play.” Explains Adam Barker, West Sussex Music’s Assistant Head. “Children will be able to come and explore a wide range of cultural and musical voices, as well as traditional orchestral instruments. We hope this will provide a broad foundation for building musical skills and lead to other exciting possibilities within West Sussex Music.” Music Club will run from Saturday 5^thJanuary at 10.00 – 11:00 a.m. at Horsham Music Centre, which is located at The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham, and 10.00 – 11:00 a.m. at Chichester Music Centre Chichester High School, Kingsham Road, Chichester.

As of January, 7-11 year olds will have the opportunity to learn the violin or the clarinet at Horsham Music Centre on Saturday mornings as part of our Key2Music Beginner Classes. “We know from our ensembles that children improve faster and achieve far more if they regularly practise as a group. The Key2Music Beginner Classes will provide a safe, social and creative outlet for musical self-expression, and all in a very affordable way.” Adds Adam Barker. Key2Music Beginner Classes are available for as little as £60 per term; low cost instrument hire can be added for just £20 per term. Key2Music Beginner Classes will also be available at Chichester Music Centre, where children can learn the cornet and double bass; Crawley, where they can learn the cello; and Worthing where they can learn the violin. 

Horsham Music Centre also has new opportunities for talented singers aged from 13 to 18 years old who are invited to apply to join the West Sussex Youth Choir as part of a project which will see them learning and performing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man - Choral Suite. The Youth Choir will meet weekly from Saturday 5 January 2019 at Collyer’s and the project will culminate with a performance at St Mary’s Church in Horsham on 30^thMarch 2019. “This is an exciting opportunity for young singers with no prior experience of choral singing to get a taste for the West Sussex Youth Choir and develop their musicianship skills, while meeting like-minded young musicians and having fun along the way.” Said Sarah Forbes, Director of the West Sussex Youth Choirs. 

Entry into this exciting project is by either audition or nomination from a singing teacher or school Head of Music. Some ability to read music is an advantage but more important is a passion for singing and a willingness to learn from those around you. Click here to book your audition. Alternatively, email music@westsussexmusic.co.uk for this or for any of West Sussex Music’s New Year opportunities including the Music Club and Key2Music Beginner Classes.

Every week during term time, our Music Centres have much to offer young musicians. Children can enjoy a whole range of musical activities including bands, choirs, orchestras as well as lessons and aural and theory classes.  The West Sussex Music Centres not only bring children together through a shared love of music but also offer a clear progression route through the Music Centres, on to the West Sussex Youth Orchestras and Choirs and beyond that to Junior Conservatoires and national ensembles. So, whatever the choice of instrument, level of competence or age, there is a suitable ensemble or band to be found; whether it’s a percussion ensemble, string orchestra, wind band, choir or guitar group. There are also classes in musicianship as well as beginner instrumental classes and groups for pre-school children.