Music Tuition & Central Groups
In recognition of the integral part instrumental music plays in pupils’ education and welfare, Scottish Government has announced that instrumental music lessons will continue to be delivered free of charge.
Throughout Scotland, there continues to be a substantial growth in interest in instrumental music participation.
Instrumental music education, both formal and informal, is recognised in preparing children for life. The ability to perform on a musical instrument fosters creativity and teaches critical assessment of the world around us and instils the basic values of self-discipline.
As well as the benefits available to the individual pupil, numbers of instrumental ensembles in school, regional and national youth orchestras and bands continue to develop offering further musical opportunities.
The aim of the Instrumental Music Service is to provide a quality instrumental education programme in Perth & Kinross which offers opportunities for pupils to participate in a wide range of practical music making activities.
The Instrumental Music Service key objectives are:
The service offers an exciting opportunity to participate in a unique course within education which will benefit all participants for the rest of their lives.
Registration
Pupils, and pupils' parents, will be contacted through their schools with regards to instrument availability of music tuition and how to register their interest.
Presently, it is not possible to offer tuition in all Primary Schools, however, the Music Service is continually striving to develop and broaden the opportunity of access to schools. Please accept our apologies if your school is unable to offer tuition at this time.
Central Groups
Perth & Kinross run a series of authority music ensembles (Perth & Kinross Central Music Groups). The authority prides itself that there is a Central Group for all instrumental pupils to participate in, from beginner level right up to advanced.
The rehearsal period for Central Groups is September/October – end of March at the Music Centre, North Inch Community Campus, Perth.
The following groups will take place:
Monday
PYO – 6pm – 8.00pm (Conductor – Mrs Lorna McGovern)
Wednesday
Brass Band - 6pm - 7.30pm (Conductor - Ms Elaine Stewart)
Concert Band – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mrs Fran Barker)
Guitar Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mr Gordon Baillie)
Wind Orchestra – 6pm -7.30pm (Conductor – Mrs Dorothy Purcell)
Thursday
Choir – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Ms Perman)
Percussion Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Ms Lynsey Paterson)
Piping Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mr Graham Mulholland)
Senior String Orchestra – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – TBC)
String Orchestra (previously all Primary School pupils) – 6pm – 7.30pm (Ms Rachel Steele)
The groups are coached weekly throughout the winter by highly experienced tutors and conductors and perform at many local concerts, highlighted at the end of the year by the Annual Central Groups Concerts at the end of March.
Transport is available for pupil living in outlying areas. A transport timetable for 2024-25 will be available to download shortly. There is no cost to use this service.
Members of Perth Youth Orchestra, one of the oldest established youth orchestras in Scotland, enjoy touring parts of Europe, usually every three years. Pupils receiving instruction within the schools’ system may also get a chance to attend residential music camps. These residential courses are a unique mixture of hard work, musical creativity and fun and for many who attend it is the highlight of their academic year.
Registration
A Central Groups fee of £100.00 has been introduced this year which allows pupils to attend multiple orchestras should they wish. Exemptions are available to parents on low income. The Perth & Kinross Music Foundation may also be able to provide assistance to costs. Further information regarding help with Central Groups fees is available via our online application link provided below.
https://my.pkc.gov.uk/service/Reapply_for_music_tuition_or_apply_for_central_groups. Please select “Continue without an account” on the login screen. Please do not login to your MyPKC account as the Central Groups application requires no login.
Instrumental Staff will always discuss the Central Group Provision with their pupils at the start of each new session.
Parents will receive notification of confirmation of application and rehearsal/concert dates for the forthcoming session prior to commencement of first rehearsal.
Music Camps
The Instrumental Music Service provides annual residential music camps with a concert taking place at the end of the week.
These courses are open to pupils who attend Central Groups but pupils who are not members of Central Groups are invited to apply if there are sufficient places left. These residential camps are a unique mixture of hard work, musical creativity and fun, and for many who attend, it is the highlight of their academic year.
Dates and costs for any 2025 music camps will be confirmed shortly. In the meantime, if you require further information, please contact the Instrumental Music Service on 01738 477878 or email Musicservice@pkc.gov.uk.
Throughout Scotland, there continues to be a substantial growth in interest in instrumental music participation.
Instrumental music education, both formal and informal, is recognised in preparing children for life. The ability to perform on a musical instrument fosters creativity and teaches critical assessment of the world around us and instils the basic values of self-discipline.
As well as the benefits available to the individual pupil, numbers of instrumental ensembles in school, regional and national youth orchestras and bands continue to develop offering further musical opportunities.
The aim of the Instrumental Music Service is to provide a quality instrumental education programme in Perth & Kinross which offers opportunities for pupils to participate in a wide range of practical music making activities.
The Instrumental Music Service key objectives are:
- Manage, Develop & Support - To manage, develop and support all aspects of the Instrumental Music Programme on behalf of Perth & Kinross Services
- Opportunities - To provide a wide range of opportunities for pupils who wish to experience the expressive and creative qualities of learning to play a musical instrument
- Enable - To enable all instrumental pupils to realise their full musical potential
- Enhance - To enhance and support the music curriculum and musical activities in schools
The service offers an exciting opportunity to participate in a unique course within education which will benefit all participants for the rest of their lives.
Registration
Pupils, and pupils' parents, will be contacted through their schools with regards to instrument availability of music tuition and how to register their interest.
Presently, it is not possible to offer tuition in all Primary Schools, however, the Music Service is continually striving to develop and broaden the opportunity of access to schools. Please accept our apologies if your school is unable to offer tuition at this time.
Central Groups
Perth & Kinross run a series of authority music ensembles (Perth & Kinross Central Music Groups). The authority prides itself that there is a Central Group for all instrumental pupils to participate in, from beginner level right up to advanced.
The rehearsal period for Central Groups is September/October – end of March at the Music Centre, North Inch Community Campus, Perth.
The following groups will take place:
Monday
PYO – 6pm – 8.00pm (Conductor – Mrs Lorna McGovern)
Wednesday
Brass Band - 6pm - 7.30pm (Conductor - Ms Elaine Stewart)
Concert Band – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mrs Fran Barker)
Guitar Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mr Gordon Baillie)
Wind Orchestra – 6pm -7.30pm (Conductor – Mrs Dorothy Purcell)
Thursday
Choir – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Ms Perman)
Percussion Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Ms Lynsey Paterson)
Piping Ensemble – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – Mr Graham Mulholland)
Senior String Orchestra – 6pm – 7.30pm (Conductor – TBC)
String Orchestra (previously all Primary School pupils) – 6pm – 7.30pm (Ms Rachel Steele)
The groups are coached weekly throughout the winter by highly experienced tutors and conductors and perform at many local concerts, highlighted at the end of the year by the Annual Central Groups Concerts at the end of March.
Transport is available for pupil living in outlying areas. A transport timetable for 2024-25 will be available to download shortly. There is no cost to use this service.
Members of Perth Youth Orchestra, one of the oldest established youth orchestras in Scotland, enjoy touring parts of Europe, usually every three years. Pupils receiving instruction within the schools’ system may also get a chance to attend residential music camps. These residential courses are a unique mixture of hard work, musical creativity and fun and for many who attend it is the highlight of their academic year.
Registration
A Central Groups fee of £100.00 has been introduced this year which allows pupils to attend multiple orchestras should they wish. Exemptions are available to parents on low income. The Perth & Kinross Music Foundation may also be able to provide assistance to costs. Further information regarding help with Central Groups fees is available via our online application link provided below.
https://my.pkc.gov.uk/service/Reapply_for_music_tuition_or_apply_for_central_groups. Please select “Continue without an account” on the login screen. Please do not login to your MyPKC account as the Central Groups application requires no login.
Instrumental Staff will always discuss the Central Group Provision with their pupils at the start of each new session.
Parents will receive notification of confirmation of application and rehearsal/concert dates for the forthcoming session prior to commencement of first rehearsal.
Music Camps
The Instrumental Music Service provides annual residential music camps with a concert taking place at the end of the week.
These courses are open to pupils who attend Central Groups but pupils who are not members of Central Groups are invited to apply if there are sufficient places left. These residential camps are a unique mixture of hard work, musical creativity and fun, and for many who attend, it is the highlight of their academic year.
Dates and costs for any 2025 music camps will be confirmed shortly. In the meantime, if you require further information, please contact the Instrumental Music Service on 01738 477878 or email Musicservice@pkc.gov.uk.