What is the Instrumental Instruction Service?
The Instrumental Instruction Service is provided by Educational Services during school term time by qualified instrumental instructors.
How can my child receive instrumental instruction?
When places become available a letter will be sent from the school via the pupils. If your child is interested in receiving instruction he/she should return the required slip signed by a parent to the school office. The instructor will then test the pupils who have expressed interest and select children based on their music ability. Depending on the instrument, there are different starting grades for each instrument. Normally children will be started on an instrument as follows:
| string | Primary 4 to 6 |
| woodwind | Primary 5 to Secondary |
| brass | Primary 5 to Secondary 1 |
| percussion | Secondary 1 and 2 |
It should be noted that there are not enough places for music instruction for all of the children who express an interest in it.
What are the benefits of the service?
In addition to lessons, there are many opportunities for children to participate in various ensembles which meet on Saturday morning and other times throughout the week. Most of these ensembles are associated with the school or with Moray Music Centre.
What is the Moray Music Centre?
The Moray Music Centre offers students aged 7-18 years old who play an instrument an opportunity to participate in a number of orchestral groups. The 300 strong Music Centre meets from August to March at Elgin Academy on a Saturday morning between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon. The groups include:
All groups participate in the Christmas concert in December and the spring concert in March, held in the Elgin Town Hall.
Additionally the Moray Music Centre’s Concert Brass meets on a Thursday night at Elgin Academy from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. To participate in the Moray Concert Brass the student must have reached grade 3/4 in order to be able to play the repertoire. The Moray
Concert Brass gives many concerts throughout the year.
What are the benefits of attending?
The Moray Music Centre includes many of the students taking part in the music instruction service and pupils are strongly encouraged to attend. Participation in ensembles not only improves and develops the student’s playing but also gives him/her opportunities to meet other children from all over Moray.
How can my child participate in the Music Centre?
If your child wishes to participate in the Moray Music Centre, you should speak to your child’s instructor first. He/she will advise you whether your child is ready to participate and which group would be appropriate for his/her level of playing.
How do I get there?
The Moray Music Centre provides buses from each of the Secondary Schools to take the children to and from Elgin Academy for the Saturday groups. There are no buses for the Concert Brass rehearsals on Thursday evenings. Details of the bus timetable are available from Educational Services.
Is there a charge?
There is a nominal charge for attendance on a Saturday morning. The charge is a donation towards the running costs of the Moray Music Centre.
Contact Details
Your Headteacher
or
The Head of Instrumental Instruction
Educational Services
The Moray Council
High Street
ELGIN
IV30 1BX
Tel. 01343 563397