Last posted 11/09/22

Dear Parents and Musicians

I hope you had a great summer and thank you again for all the students and staff who took part in our MidSummer Music event. If you are new to the Music Centre a very warm welcome and for those who are our loyal supporters, we hope you have another great year with us.
Our Information for Musicians and Concerts pages show the 2022-23 calendar which has all our information on groups, venues, rehearsal dates and for you to put those important concert dates into your diary!
If possible please forward our printable leaflet on to your school and any of your friends who are interested in joining us so we can get the word out that it’s fun to play music together at TSDMC!
Please find the link for the Music Centre membership this year below. Our termly subscription is increasing to £45 for all groups. (Increasing to £25 for Fast Forward and Siblings). This is still heavily subsidised and is still great value for money. Please continue to pay online as this cuts down on our costs. If you do pay tax and haven’t filled in a gift aid form for us please email torbayandsouthdevonmusiccentre@gmail.com for a form. As we are a charity this enables us to claim money back from the government which goes back into Music Centre funds.
We can help with subscription costs if your financial circumstances qualify for this support, so please do chat to me if this is a concern as we want your children to continue to access making music with us.
We start back on Tuesday 13th at Oldway, Thursday 15th at Brixham and Friday 16th at TBGS!
We have an exciting opportunity for some children to work with a Jazz ensemble from America called Lunar Octet who are over in Devon in September. This is for a workshop Mr Chris Eastman, head of music at TBGS has organised on Wednesday 21st September during the school day. There is an additional cost of £10 to cover the costs of this activity. Students will have two rehearsals before the workshop to prepare students to participate. It is advisable to be of at least grade 5 standard on your instrument and between 14-18 years of age.
 1:00 – 60 minutes:  Workshop
2:00 – 30 minutes: Talk about careers – balancing a musician’s career with a non-music career; full time musician’s career Profile of the band’s history
2:30 – 15 minutes: Bring audience in for Performance
2:45 to 3:15 – 30 minutes: Performance
The band are also performing at the Livermead Cliff Hotel at 8pm on Wednesday 21st September and there is a special priced student ticket at £10
Please let me know if you are interested in the workshop asap so I can pass on your email to Mr Eastman for the music, rehearsal times and how to pay before 21st Sept.
Thank you for your continued support and I hope to see you all at the Music Centre soon.
Best wishes
Moira Devonport

Posted 07/07 /2022

It is our TSDMC Summer Term Concert tomorrow on Friday 8th July at 7pm.
We will be outside on the terrace behind the Manor House at Torquay Boys Grammar School but if the weather is inclement, we will be in the Centenary Hall as we were for the Spring Concert.
Audience tickets £6 for adults and £3 for children and Seniors.
Hope to see you there to enjoy the live music showcasing the hard work of our fantastic students and teachers.

 

Posted 01/05/2022

Dear Musicians and Parents,

 

I hope you had a great Easter break and are looking forward to this term.

The Music Centre started back at Torquay Boys Grammar School on Friday 29th April, the Oldway group starts back on Tuesday 3rd May and Brixham group on Thursday 5th May.

Please tell your friends about us and invite them to come along. Everyone is welcome!

Thank you to all those who have already completed this term’s form. If you haven’t done so yet please sign up for this term on the form below, one for each musician.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM03e_cRrbjzrgwJwST_x2NfIOjP4qzm1lMACmJK5y33pv1A/viewform

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

 

Moira Devonport

Dear Parents and Musicians

This term has gone so quickly next week is our end-of-term concert at TBGS 7 pm. Everyone has been working really hard and I’m thoroughly looking forward to hearing all the different performances.🎶

Arrangements for this term’s concert next week and rehearsals on Friday 1st April are:
  • All groups in their normal rooms 4.30-5.30pm except Fast forward who will go straight into the Centenary Hall. That is where all 3 Fast Forward groups will join together for their rehearsal. (Brixham, Oldway and Torquay). 
  • Please can Fast Forward children be collected/ supervised by parents at 5.30pm and return to the Hall after having tea at 6.45pm ready to play first. There will be no lessons with Tom this week. 
  • On stage rehearsals will be from 5.30pm for other groups. Your teachers will let you know if this is necessary for your group and the time you have been allocated after tomorrow’s rehearsal (25th March).
  • Please come to register before you go to your usual rooms at the Sign in/ temperature check desk in the foyer of the Centenary Hall. The tuck shop will be here too until 6.30pm.
  • The Concert starts at 7pm. Due to increased numbers of Covid cases we will not be serving refreshments at the concert and we will just have a 10 minute comfort break to enable us to complete the programme by 8.30pm. Please bring your own drinks and snacks.
  • We will be selling tickets on the door cash only £6 for adults and £3 for under 18s and OAPs. Performers of course are free! Doors open at 6.30pm for the audience. 
  • We will also be selling raffle tickets. £1 for a strip of tickets or £4 for 5 strips. The tickets for the prizes will be drawn during the concert, attached to the prizes and can be picked up on your way out. If you have a raffle prize you could donate these would be gratefully received. Please let me know if you intend to bring something or could help on the night.
  • Musicians will be seated by their families when they are not playing and masks may be worn but this is not mandatory.
  • Please can all Musicians wear smart black (or grey) trousers/ skirts and black/ white shirts/blouses. You can wear black/ white combinations and this should be most people’s school uniform colours and not bought especially for the concert. Please no jeans.
  • Musicians are expected to stay for the entire concert not leave after their performance except by prior agreement with me. This is to give all performers a maximum audience and to enable musicians to see their peers perform, gaining inspiration and appreciation for everyone making music whether they are performing first or last!
I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow, on Tuesday, Thursday and next Friday at the concert.🎶
Please let me know if you are unable to attend rehearsals and the concert either by email or text on the number below.
Best wishes
Moira Devonport

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please find the details for all our activities this term attached.
Membership of the Music Centre is only £20 per term for children in our fast forward groups.
Fast forward groups meet at three different sites in Torbay. Tuesdays at Oldway School, (starting 14th September) in Paignton; Thursdays at Brixham College, (starting 9th September) in Brixham and Fridays at TBGS, (starting 10th September) in Torquay. Please see the attached flyers in the links below for more details, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me.
TSDMC 2021-22 Flyer: TSDMC Flyer 2021-2022
We will be providing group violin lessons on Fridays at TBGS at 5.30-6pm after the Fast Forward session 4.30-5.30. Per child these would be £5 per week on top of the cost of membership and spaces are only available to members. If you are interested in these lessons please contact me via the email below.
Violins and other instruments can be hired per term through the Devon and Torbay Music Hub. Please contact me for the link to their site.
It was great to see so many people at our event this summer and we look forward to your continued interest and support in our music-making in South Devon and Torbay.
Best wishes
Moira Devonport
Dear Musicians and Parents
I hope you have had a great summer holiday? 
We had a fantastic Midsummer Music Event for students starting up instruments and thank you to all the current TSDMC musicians who came along, showcased their playing, rehearsed and joined in. You were all so helpful and welcoming to the new instrumentalists.
I am so looking forward to seeing you again in person on Friday 10th September at 4.30pm for the first sessions.
The risk assessments have been rewritten in line with the government guidelines and school procedures.
Our policy still includes:
Temperature checks will still be taken as you arrive.
Hand sanitiser will be used by all attending TSDMC before going to your group rooms and be available during sessions.
Masks are still worn inside communal spaces but may be removed when playing in your group space.
All windows will be opened to let maximum ventilation in rooms.
Instrument masks may still be worn on instruments and Woodwind/ brass and their instrument wastewater must be collected and disposed of by the individual musician into bins.
Social distancing will still be used in group rooms.
I am delighted to inform you that the Orchestra in the second session 5.45-6.45pm will be started again as well as the tuck shop being open for everyone.
Please bring your music along with your instruments. (The music from last term especially if you have a Pirates of the Caribbean part.)
Please remember that all students must be registered online before they attend the Music Centre so we have up-to-date emergency contact information etc.
Please find the link below to complete please for each individual child attending.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEfxIDDOBAKU-51kPZpBWEzQ_nJkwaENerQoRYgQ2e1uza7A/viewform

Please see attached the calendar/flyer link for TSDMC for the academic year 2021-2022

TSDMC Flyer 2021-2022

Looking forward to seeing you soon

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents, 

I hope you are enjoying the summer holidays? 

Thank you to all those who have written back with answers to the questions I asked to help get your feedback on TSDMC this year.

Thank you also to those who have let me know if they can or can’t be at the TSDMC Midsummer extra Workshop/ rehearsals this August.

It’s not too late to sign up for the event nor too late to write your responses to the questions.

Hope to see you soon!

————————–

Thank you to those who have sent a reflection of their thoughts on the questions below, if you haven’t done so please can I ask you and your musicians to send these to me electronically via email either as an attachment or as part of the email. These are for our planning and annual report, as TSDMC is here for you and wants to know what you think it is great if we can let our students’ voices and that of their families be included in this.

Questions for TSDMC 2020-2021:

  1. What do you like about Torbay and South Devon Music Centre? Please share your thoughts about all aspects of it.
  2. How have you found the last year with TSDMC online and in person? 
  3. What would you like to alter at TSDMC to make it even better?
  4. In September 2021 we will be back having two sessions one from 4.30pm -5.30pm for our sectional groups then the second from 5.45pm- 6.45pm. The second session would be for Orchestra for players grade 3 upwards. If you are of grade 3 and above would you attend this? If not, why not?
  5. Do you have a composer or particular piece of music that you would like to play in the orchestra? If so, give as much detail as possible.
  6. Would you recommend people to come to TSDMC? If so, would you agree to have your photo used in publicising TSDMC at your school or other schools? If not, why not?
  7. Any other comments.

Thank you.

 

At the Summer Term concert, I mentioned the Midsummer Music event which is on Monday 23rd August, Tuesday 24th August, and Wednesday 25th August.

As members of the TSDMC, you are invited to attend free of charge at specific times with your TSDMC teacher. They may ask you to join in with the Master class they are running (or you watch this part), take part in the workshop that follows, and have rehearsal time. It should be fun and a great music experience.

 

The dates and times for each group section are as follows:

Percussion

Monday

10am -1pm

Brass

Monday

1pm – 4pm

Reed Ensemble

Tuesday

10am – 1pm

Flute Choir

Tuesday

10am -1pm

Youth Strings

Tuesday

1pm -4pm

Concert Orchestra

Wednesday

10am -1pm

You will need your instrument, music, a pencil, pegs, money for the tuck shop, drink, and a snack.

Please contact us via email at torbayandsouthdevonmusiccentre@gmail.com to let us know if you are able to attend this event, so your teachers and I know who to expect before Monday 23rd August 2021.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

 

Dear Musicians and Parents,

 

Please remember to bring your Fire track parts and some pegs for music stands tomorrow as we will be rehearsing outside all together for part of the rehearsal time.
Many congratulations to one of our clarinetists on passing their Grade 8, one of our violinists for a Grade 7 Merit, and one of our flautists for a Grade 3 Merit. Great to hear of their rewards for hard work and all that practice!
Please let me know of any other students’ results so we can share them to inspire you all with positive news of hard work and determination especially at this time!
Concert seating: Please let me know today (25/06/21) how many people you are likely to bring to the concert so we can portion up the lawn accordingly!
In the summer holidays, we would like to invite all music centre members for an extra rehearsal during August. This is our way of saying thank you for attending, online and in-person this last year. Times and dates for your particular group will be sent out next week but it will be during 23-25th August 2021.
TSDMC is putting on a three-day event called Midsummer Music for children aged 8-18 to try different instruments. An Arts Discovery Award can also be gained during these sessions. Please pass the information out to your schools and any other families you know that may be interested. See attached flyer below.
See you tonight!
Best wishes
Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents

Great to see you back after half term and if you still haven’t returned to Music Centre yet, we hope to see you again next term. 
We have two more weeks until our concert on Friday 2nd July.
We intend to hold this outdoors with the musicians performing on the terrace next to the old manor house (the house at the far end of the drive with the car park in front of it).
We will open the gates at 6.30pm and the concert will start at 7pm. 
Please bring all drinks and food from home to picnic whilst you watch the concert with your families. Each family will have an area of lawn to sit in socially distanced from others.
Please bring a mask to wear as you will need this inside to use the toilet facilities and whilst moving around. 
There will be a comfort break halfway through the programme but not for more than 20 minutes so we can finish the concert in the light!
If you would like to support us financially tickets are normally £6 for adults and £3 for seniors or children but we will not be issuing tickets this term, just asking for donations. Cash will be accepted, but bank transfer is suggested as a preference in light of Covid, please contact our manager for these details and use the student’s full name as the reference when making the transfer.
A simple concert program will be available and we ask that you take this home with you once you have received it.
Many congratulations to one of our flautists who has got a distinction for their ABRSM: ARSM flute diploma! 
Excellent result of hard work and loving playing music well done! 
Please let me know of any other students’ results so we can share them to inspire you all with positive news of hard work and determination especially at this time!
Best wishes
Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents

I hope you have had a good half-term holiday and we are back tomorrow with the Music Centre at TBGS. Arrive for your sessions to start at 4.45pm.
All our risk assessments are as they were before the half term.
Please bring a mask to wear in communal spaces and in group rooms when you are not playing. Even though you do not have to wear your masks at school now, we have students from different schools mixing socially distanced together in our music ensemble bubbles and mask-wearing gives us all added protection.
 
Please bring your music with you for your sessions and for the firetrack piece we did last term at home. If any of you have not got this music please let me know before tonight’s (11/06/21) music centre so I can bring a copy for you, I haven’t got copies printed out, they are done to order!
Looking forward to seeing you tonight.

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

Our latest Summer Term flyer for Torbay and South Devon Music Centre is out!

Please share on your social media outlets and pass it on to anyone who might be interested in joining the music centre.

Advert for Summer Term 2021

If you’re interested in the music centre please get in contact as we’d love you to join us playing music together!

🎶Keep Calm. Stay Safe. Play Music!🎶

Dear Staff, Musicians, and Parents

I hope you had a very Happy Easter and have been enjoying the good weather.

I am pleased to inform you that we are able to meet back face to face at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School for this term starting this Friday (23/04/21). 

We will have strict social distancing and risk assessment measures in place that are explained in the table below to keep everyone safe. These measures enabled TSDMC to have a very successful and safe Autumn first half term this academic year and we would love to see you back with us again to finish the year in person.

The Summer Term (short) subscription form link is also below to be completed for each student before Friday, please:

Reopening procedure for TSDMC 23.04.21

Before you arrive

Please sign the new membership form online and pay membership fees by bank transfer. 

There will be no paper copies of forms or calendar dates this term; 

Please can the subscription form for this term be completed for all students by clicking on the link below before you arrive on Friday.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSvl-XbTlGFetUB6peSVuklzbiNzcTnqMN9PM7KwgyE2NdJQ/viewform

 

Torquay Boys Grammar School (TBGS) are cleaning the rooms, toilets, and spaces we will be using after the boys leave school and before we go into the space. 

Following government guidelines if the student or anyone in their household is feeling unwell, has a temperature, or are in quarantine please do not attend TSDMC.

Students are required to bring a face mask or face covering to the music centre and to wear it inside when using communal spaces.

TBGS boys who attend TSDMC and are already on site must come to the bistro where the TSDMC manager and staff will supervise the student in socially distanced year group bubbles to follow TBGS risk assessment guidelines. Students are not to use any rooms unless given permission from TSDMC staff.

There will be no tuck shop or drinks available to staff or students for this term.

On arrival on site

Teachers to arrive for 4.30pm, check-in, go to their teaching room to set up teaching rooms including ventilation and social distancing measures.

All Students to arrive 4.35pm onwards for a 4.45pm start in rooms. Students must not come onto the site before 4.35pm. If students arrive by car they must wait in them until that time, if you arrive by bus or are dropped off please arrange with the TSDMC Manager where you need to wait if early.

Please check-in at the welcome desk outside the Bistro as all people attending TSDMC will be on a track and trace list.

TSDMC staff will be using a contactless thermometer to test the temperature of everyone attending TSDMC. Anyone found with a temperature will be sent home straight away.

Everyone will be asked to hand sanitize on arrival on site.

Getting to your music room

Some of the rooms we use have needed to be altered this year for safety/ cleaning purposes and to enable the correct social distancing of groups according to music mark guidelines.

We will be using three entrances into the building to avoid groups crowding in corridors, only the Concert Orchestra will be going into the Bistro hall as usual.

Percussion and Reed Ensemble will use the entrance next to the Bistro and use the corridor to your usual rooms ER1 for Percussion and ER3 for Reeds.

All other groups have had to be moved. They will enter the building up the outside staircase just past the flagpole by the main entrance. (you can see the stairs from the welcome desk outside the Bistro).

The Flute Choir are back in G4, a room they used to use as it is larger than the one used last year, but to get to the room students must use the outside stairs and go along the corridor.

The Concert brass are in H1 first classroom on the right at the top of the stairs.

The Youth Strings are in H4 the first classroom on the left at the top of the stairs.

The Fast forward group are in H3, the second room on the left.

Parents who normally stay with their children can do so if it is necessary for their wellbeing, but a drop-off is preferred. All parents are asked to wear face masks at all times when inside the building and at the check-in desk.

Toilets are found on the top corridor for those students in those bubbles and the toilets on the corridor by the bistro for those on the ground floor.

In your music group bubble

Windows and some doors will be opened to give ventilation to each room, no matter what the temperature or weather.

On entering the music group bubble all people must hand sanitize.

A register will be taken as usual and students will be given a music stand each to use. This will be labeled with their name and kept as the stand for them to use this term. No one else will touch this as it will go into individual cases in a group bag. Music stands will be socially distanced according to music mark guidance for different instruments. Music Centre teachers will advise on how to set the rooms up following the latest guidance.

Music will be given to students in a plastic wallet and it is their responsibility to bring it to all rehearsals.

No one should share music, an instrument or touch each other’s music or instruments.

Music teachers will advise on tuning, but students will tune their own instruments.

For students of woodwind or brass instruments, a bell cap needs to be worn over the instruments bell to capture moisture. Please contact your instrument teacher if you need advice on this.

Leaving the site

There is no second session of TSDMC this term. Music sessions will finish by 5.45pm and all students are off the site by 6pm to allow cleaners in.

Rooms should be left as they are found except the Concert Orchestra. Please leave chairs set out in the bistro hall, so the cleaners know which chairs students used.

Students pack up their own instruments and music stands into cases.

TBGS boys from each group are asked to help take music stand bags back to the storage cupboard as no one else is allowed in that department building (in accordance to TBGS risk assessment). TSDMC staff supervise these students from outside the building and provide hand sanitizer when finished.

After you leave

If you or any members of your household are ill with symptoms or are found to be positive for Covid 19 please contact Moira Devonport TSDMC manager immediately. 

Remember for next week

Instrument

Music in a plastic wallet

Music stand if bringing your own to use.

Face mask

Drink

Any concerns you have please email them to me so I can try to answer and reassure you that we have taken all the government, local music hub, and music mark guidance into consideration before getting to this point and continue to follow changes in these recommendations and permissions.

For those students who attend our Fast Forward Group at Oldway Primary School, sadly we are still unable to meet at the school at the present time. However, we would welcome you to come to Fast Forward at Torquay Boys Grammar school on Friday nights and hope to restart this other group in September.

I have added the planned calendar for this year below please note rehearsal times have altered at present, but dates, groups, contact, and fee information are correct:

TSDMC Leaflet 2020-21

I look forward to seeing and hearing you play together again this Friday (23/04/21).

Keep Calm, Stay Safe, Play Music!

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents,

I hope you are well and had a restful break of routine over the half term holiday?
I’m looking forward to seeing you on Friday at 5pm.
Remember you can join the Zoom link from 4.50pm as the teachers get online at 4.45pm and then we can move into the breakout rooms for rehearsals.
Rehearsals should be completed at approximately  5.50pm.
We will be rehearsing, amongst other things the Fire track and then asking you to record this at home and send it into me by 13th March. Please try to do this as all of us will be recording ourselves including the teachers! If you need any backing tracks or music please just email me.
Also…
Have any of you completed a recording that you have done for exams, showing a piece you have been practicing or a duet/ ensemble with your teacher/ family members that you would like to show at the end of term presentation evening on the 26th March?
If not yet, then If you want to, please use the next couple of weeks to record yourselves and send them to me by 13th March. This is not compulsory but if you have been working hard at something it would be great to hear and/or see it. 
See you on Friday
Keep calm, stay safe and play music!
Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents,

Tonight is the last rehearsal of the Music Centre for this half term. 
We have two weeks off and start again on Friday 26th February 2021.
Next half term we will be online again for TSDMC Live@5 on Zoom. 
Please get in touch if you haven’t joined us yet and we can get the link sent to you.
If you haven’t already remember to check out our new YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkugippN91Mf8AGoUWBZGQ
Keep an eye out for News Updates via emails, our website page, and our social media pages.
Keep Calm, Stay Safe and Play Music!
Moira Devonport

 

Hello Musicians

Just a reminder that the Music Centre starts tonight at 5 pm. If you haven’t signed up yet it’s not too late! If this week is too short notice sign up and start next week.

If you haven’t joined us online yet or only for the summer term last year, please give it a go this term, we miss you! I know this is not the same as being at TSDMC in person. You have to provide your own tuck shop for starters! But it does give you an opportunity to get your instruments out of their cases if they haven’t been out in the week and it will be easier to keep your musicianship skills in shape with a regular weekly play (even if you are on mute for some of the time!)
Please can you make sure you have logged into the google form link below to subscribe to TSDMC this term then I will send you a link for Live@5 each Friday.
Hope to see you soon
Happy Music Making!
Moira Devonport
 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have some exciting news that we can go back to TBGS and have Music Centre Friday 11th September 2020.

As we know music rehearsing is best done together in person with our teachers and friends. We found rehearsing online a very different way of doing things and, although it still has a place in our plans, rehearsing and playing music together in person is so much better.

The trustees and I have been working hard with Torquay Boys Grammar School to complete a risk assessment for the music centre starting up again this term. In the table below I explain what changes have been implemented so we can open on the 11th September.

Reopening procedure for TSDMC 11.09.20
Before you arrive Please sign the new membership form online and pay membership fees by bank transfer. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5HTqqt3ds71TKY–gkG7TczqdI09e-_urPqkrQCruIeAkDQ/viewform

There will be no paper copies of forms or calendar dates this term; it will all be sent online.

Torquay Boys Grammar School (TBGS) are cleaning the rooms, toilets, and spaces we will be using after the boys leave school and before we go into the space.

Following government guidelines if the student or anyone in their household is feeling unwell, have a temperature or are in quarantine please do not attend TSDMC.

Students are required to bring a face mask or face covering to the music centre and to wear it inside when using communal spaces.

TBGS boys who attend TSDMC and are already on site must come to the bistro where the TSDMC manager and staff will supervise the student in socially distanced year group bubbles to follow TBGS risk assessment guidelines. Students are not to use any rooms unless given permission from TSDMC staff.

There will be no tuck shop or drinks available to staff or students for this term.

On arrival on site Teachers to arrive for 4.30pm, check in, go to their teaching room to set up teaching rooms including ventilation and social distancing measures.

All Students to arrive 4.35pm onwards for a 4.45pm start in rooms. Students must not come onto site before 4.35pm. If students arrive by car they must wait in them until that time, if you arrive by bus or are dropped off please arrange with the TSDMC Manager where you need to wait if early.

Please check in at the welcome desk outside the Bistro as all people attending TSDMC will be on a track and trace list.

TSDMC staff will be using a contactless thermometer to test the temperature of everyone attending TSDMC. Anyone found with a temperature will be sent home straight away.

Everyone will be asked to hand sanitize on arrival on site.

Getting to your music room Some of the rooms we use have needed to be altered this year for safety/ cleaning purposes and to enable the correct social distancing of groups according to music mark guidelines.

We will be using three entrances into the building to avoid groups crowding in corridors, only the Concert Orchestra will be going into the Bistro hall as usual.

Percussion and Reed Ensemble will use the entrance next to the Bistro and use the corridor to your usual rooms ER1 for Percussion and ER3 for Reeds.

All other groups have had to be moved. They will enter the building up the outside staircase just past the flagpole by the main entrance. (you can see the stairs from the welcome desk outside the Bistro).

The Flute choir are back in G4, a room they used to use as it is larger than the one used last year, but to get to the room students must use the outside stairs and go along the corridor.

The Concert brass are in H1 first classroom on the right at the top of the stairs.

The Youth Strings are in H4 the first classroom on the left at the top of the stairs.

The Fast forward group are in H3, the second room on the left.

Parents who normally stay with their children can do so if it is necessary for their wellbeing, but a drop off is preferred. All parents are asked to wear face masks at all times when inside the building and at the check in desk.

Toilets are found on the top corridor for those students in those bubbles and the toilets on the corridor by the bistro for those on the ground floor.

In your music group bubble Windows and some doors will be opened to give ventilation to each room, no matter what the temperature or weather.

On entering the music group bubble all people must hand sanitize.

A register will be taken as usual and students will be given a music stand each to use. This will be labelled with their name and kept as the stand for them to use this term. No one else will touch this as it will go into individual cases in a group bag. Music stands will be socially distanced according to music mark guidance for different instruments. Music Centre teachers will advise on how to set the rooms up following latest guidance.

Music will be given to students in a plastic wallet and it is their responsibility to bring it to all rehearsals.

No one should share music, an instrument or touch each other’s music or instruments.

Music teachers will advise on tuning, but students will tune their own instruments.

Students of woodwind or brass instruments a bell cap needs to be worn over the instruments bell to capture moisture. Please contact your instrument teacher if you need advice on this.

Leaving the site There is no second session of TSDMC this term. Music sessions will finish by 5.45pm and all students are off the site by 6pm to allow cleaners in.

Rooms should be left as they are found except the Concert Orchestra. Please leave chairs set out in the bistro hall, so the cleaners know which chairs students used.

Students pack up their own instruments and music stands into cases.

TBGS boys from each group are asked to help take music stand bags back to the storage cupboard as no one else is allowed in that department building (in accordance to TBGS risk assessment). TSDMC staff supervise these students from outside the building and provide hand sanitizer when finished.

After you leave If you or any members of your household are ill with symptoms or are found to be positive for Covid 19 please contact Moira Devonport TSDMC manager immediately.
Remember for next week Instrument

Music in plastic wallet

Music stand if bringing your own to use.

Face mask

Drink

Any concerns you have please email them to me so I can try to answer and reassure you that we have taken all the government, local music hub and music mark guidance into consideration before getting to this point and continue to follow changes in these recommendations and permissions.

For those students who attend our Fast Forward Group at Oldway Primary School on Thursdays,sadly we are unable to meet at the school at the present time.However we would welcome you to come to Fast Forward at Torquay Boys Grammar school on Friday nights.

I attach the planned calendar for this year below please note rehearsal times have altered at present, but dates, groups, contact and fee information are correct.

I look forward to seeing and hearing you play together again next week.

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

Dear Musicians and Parents,

I hope this finds you safe and well.

It would be our first week back at Music Centre this week so I am sending you an update as we can’t meet together in person!

At the moment, due to lockdown, we have to follow the government guidelines and stay at home. We do not know yet when the lockdown will lift for us or when we can meet again to practice and perform together but we know it will be at least 3 more weeks and it looks unlikely before half term.

However, this doesn’t mean that we have to stop music making!

I hope individually, you have time and space to practice your instruments?

Do you know of any online sites that are worth a listen to or have resources of free music to play along to or print parts? Please let me know and I will share them with everyone.

I’ve found some great music to listen to and even some music that is free to print at a range of levels so the whole music centre could play together. I have chosen three pieces from the site, one we did last term as the Orchestra from 6-7pm, but there are easier parts for everyone. (Please see the link below).

It would be great if you take a look at the site and see which parts you can play. This is for all groups and for all musicians in those groups. I will send more info soon when I have found out if we can play online together or we may have to wait til we are back at music centre.

Let me know how you get on with the site and if you need any help with printing music etc. It would be good to know if you try any of the pieces so keep in touch!

Best wishes

Moira Devonport

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces/get-creative-with-classical-music-at-home/z6tqqp3

If you click on this link and go to the Orchestral and choral arrangements and click on this. There are a good number of different styles and composers to chose from. Below are the three pieces I think we could look at individually then put together when we can. Or even record at home and edit together online! To hear the tracks and info about the composers follow the links on the site.

 

Igor Stravinsky – The Firebird — suite (1911) (Finale) – Instrumental arrangements Arrangements suitable for orchestral instruments, for beginners up to Grade 5. All parts have been designed to work together to enable mixed-ability groups to perform together.

 

Beginner/pre-Grade 1

Violin (open strings) | Cello/Double bass (open strings)

Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Oboe (or any mid-range instrument in C) | Bassoon

Trumpet in B♭ | Horn in F (F and Bf fingering) | Trombone (or other bass instrument in C)

Tenor horn/Alto sax in E♭ | Euphonium/Baritone

Bass (or any large) drum | Glockenspiel

Piano beginner

Transposed score

Grade 1-3

Violin | Cello/Double bass

Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Oboe (or any mid-range instrument in C) | Bassoon

Trumpet in B♭ | Trombone (or any bass instrument in C) | Horn in F

Tenor horn/Alto sax in E♭ | Euphonium/Baritone

Bass (or other large) drum

Piano

Intermediate score

Grade 4-5

Violin | 2nd Violin (based on viola) | Viola | Cello | Double bass

Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Oboe | Bassoon

Trumpet in B♭ | Trombone (bass clef) | Trombone (treble clef) | Horn in F | Tenor horn/Alto sax in Eb

Euphonium/Baritone | Bass in B♭ | Bass in E♭ (treble clef) | Tuba

Bass drum

Full score | Piano accompaniment

Doctor Who Theme by Delia Derbyshire

(original theme composed by Ron Grainer)

 

NOTES FROM THE ARRANGER

By Iain Farrington

Available parts:

 

Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, Alto Saxophones, Bassoons, Trumpets, Horns, Euphoniums,

Tenor Horns, Trombone, Tuba, Bass in Eb

Timpani, Percussion

Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses

Guitar, Ukulele

Piano

For Beginner, Intermediate and Grade 4/5

 

Universal notes for all instrumental arrangements:

 

All parts have been designed to enable mixed-ability groups to perform together. A certain amount of simplification has been required to adapt the pieces for mixed-ability. A successful rendering of each piece would require the essential melodic material and bass line which are often in the Grades 4/5 parts, especially in the piano.

 

There are scores for each difficulty level plus three other scores for each piece:

1.         Grouped according to ability

2.         Grouped according to instrument type

3.         ‘Short score’ in C, grouped according to ability

 

There are three ability levels – beginner, intermediate (Grades 1-3) and Grades 4-5.

•          Flute parts can be played by the violins

•          Oboe parts can be played by the flutes and violins

•          Trumpet parts (in Bb) can be played by the clarinets

•          Violin parts can be played by the flutes (except when in the lowest register)

•          The ‘percussion’ part is a beginner part and can be played on any drum. It adds a simple rhythm layer to each piece. Timpani and full percussion parts are for intermediate or Grades 4/5

 

Edward Elgar – ‘Enigma’ Variations – Theme (‘Enigma’), variations 11, 6 & 7 – Instrumental arrangements Beginner/pre-Grade 1:

Violin | Cello | Guitar | Ukulele

Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Alto saxophone | Oboe | Bassoon

Trumpet in B♭ | Trombone | Trombone in B♭ | Tenor horn | Horn in F | Euphonium

Percussion

Piano

Intermediate/Grade 1-3:

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double bass | Guitar

Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Alto saxophone | Oboe | Bassoon

Trumpet in B♭ | Trombone | Trombone in B♭ | Tenor horn | Horn in F | Euphonium | Tuba

Timpani | Glockenspiel | Snare drum/Triangle/Bass drum/Cymbals

Piano

Grade 4-5:

1st Violin | 2nd Violin | Viola | Cello | Double bass

Flute | 2nd Flute | Clarinet in B♭ | Alto saxophone | Oboe | Bassoon | Bass in B♭

Trumpet in B♭ | Trombone | Trombone in B♭ | Tenor horn | Horn in F | Euphonium | 2nd Euphonium | Tuba

Timpani

Piano

Dear Musicians and Parents
The impact of the Coronavirus which has been reported in the news has regrettably affected forthcoming TSDMC rehearsals and concerts.

The trustees and I have been carefully assessing the developments and I am writing to you to let you know of changes to rehearsals and concerts we had planned. All rehearsals and concerts are cancelled until next term.

There will be no rehearsals this week at our satellite Fast Forward orchestra at Oldway Primary School on Thursday 19th March or at TSDMC, Torquay Boys Grammar School on Friday 20th March.
Also the rehearsals and our Spring Term Concert due to take place on Saturday 21st March at The Ariel Centre, Totnes will no longer be held.
There will be no Peninsula Clarinet Choir rehearsal on Saturday 21st March.
The Torbay Music Hub have also cancelled the Schools Music Festival in which the TSDMC Flute Choir, Reed Choir and Youth Strings where due to play in on March 23rd, 24th and 25th. So no performances at English Riviera Centre.
Everyone has worked hard this term and I have heard great playing in rehearsals. I hope that we will show this to your families and friends in next term’s concert.
Thank you individually for all your hard work, great listening and fantastic playing, keep up the practice at home until we can meet again next term.
Please confirm that you have received this email asap as I do not want anyone to make unnecessary journeys to venues or be dropped off and unsupervised at anytime. I will be ticking off names on my register when I get your confirmation.
I wish you all a Happy Easter and hope to see you all on Thursday 16th or Friday 17th April at the start of the Summer Term. However I will keep you informed if this changes nearer the time.
Keep well.

 

Moira Devonport

Newsletter Autumn 2019

    • Newsletters keep you in touch with news and events at Music Centre. Please read and keep for a while, so you know what is happening. Keep in touch on twitter and Facebook.

• Please pay fees and return a registration form due for this term as soon as possible. If you pay by BACS, please also complete and return a registration form. All members need their parent or carer’s signed agreement to take part in Music Centre activities, which is why we need the completed registration form.

• Music Centre members should stay on site until collected at the end of your ensemble. Please do not leave the schools between ensembles, for your own protection and safety. If you change your normal arrangements, please let someone know!

• THIS TERM’S CONCERT is at the Centenary Hall on Friday 29th November at 7.00pm. This concert is for all music centre groups. Tickets will be available at the door and at Music Centre rehearsals. Please wear smart black trousers/skirt and white/coloured top with festive touches.

• Seating rehearsal schedule at the Centenary Hall on Friday 29th November:
4.30pm: Reed Choir (clarinets, saxophones and double reeds), 4.45pm: Flute choir, 5.00pm: Concert Orchestra, 5.15pm: Percussion, 5.30pm: Orchestra, 5.45pm: Youth Strings, 6.00pm: Concert Brass

Fast Forward group will meet Bistro Hall at 4:30pm, so that they can have a rehearsal with the Thursday Fast Forward group then head over to the Centenary Hall to set up for 5.15-5.30pm.

6.30pm: doors open for the audience.

7pm: Concert starts

• We would welcome contributions to the raffle at the concert. Could we ask you to bring a contribution to the interval refreshments? Biscuits, cakes, and savouries would be welcome. The Music Centre will provide drinks at no charge.

• Remaining rehearsals this term are on 8th, 15th and 22nd November. After the concert on 29th November, there will be a break until Friday 10th January 2020.

Thank you for your hard work this term and great music making! Have a very Happy Christmas, I hope you enjoy the holiday and we look forward to seeing you in January 2020!

Best Wishes,

Moira

Available as Word document.