Online Learning

Surrey Arts has put together links to a number of online resources to support learning at home. In addition Surrey Arts are also delivering peripatetic lessons online.
Surrey Arts has put together links to a number of online resources to support learning at home. In addition Surrey Arts are also delivering peripatetic lessons online.
A new year and another lockdown! Before the end of last term, the Surrey Arts team had been working really hard programming in lessons but the latest lockdown has meant many lessons due to take place in schools will now be changed. Fortunately the online learning platform Surrey Arts introduced in April last year is available and there are many advantages to continuing to learn in this way.
Here are some of the reasons why the Surrey Arts online teaching can be really beneficial:
Surrey Arts have received many positive comments from parents who have seen the benefits of having online lessons during the lockdowns:
‘The online lessons have helped give structure to our weeks and have meant that the children have continued to make progress with their music. Having a weekly lesson has meant that they have continued to practise – it would be too easy for them to just drift away from practising if there had been no lessons.’
‘It has been brilliant to continue lessons during the “lockdown”, and my child has progressed as a result. Practicing without the incentive of lessons was hard so it was great to do zoom lessons.’
There are also many links to Surrey Arts online teaching and introduction to instruments on the Surrey Music Hub website Online Learning – Surrey Music Hub
Surrey Arts has introduced an online learning programme – Surrey Arts Online Learning. This exciting programme brings music lessons straight to your home.
Surrey Arts Interactive/Charanga is a website which offers online resources for children learning an instrument. We currently have resources available for beginner to grade 1 on most of the instruments we teach, and up to grade 5 for flute, alto sax, clarinet, trumpet and violin. You will need a log in for your child to access these. If you would like to do so, please complete the form below and a log in will be emailed to you.
Surrey Arts is excited to launch a new Online Learning Programme offering high quality instrumental lessons from the comfort of your home! Over the past few weeks we have been busy trialling online teaching, and establishing safeguarding protocols and technical guidance to ensure we are able to offer the same high quality learning experience that our students receive through face-to-face lessons.
We are pleased that we are also able to support our more vulnerable young people through our inclusion programme, offering free lessons to groups such as looked after children, young carers and unaccompanied refugees.
Sarah Lee, Head of Service, said ‘This has been an amazing effort by the Surrey Arts team. To be able to put together a programme at such an uncertain time and develop a programme that ensures high quality and a safe learning environment for students is fantastic. We all know the power that music can have on our lives, and engaging in creativity during this time can really help with health and well-being. We hope that our online learning programme will be a valuable service for the Surrey community encouraging people to continue making music and engaging in arts activities.’
At present the Surrey Arts Online Learning (SAOL) programme is only available for existing Surrey Artsstudents: however, we hope to grow this further in the coming weeks, providing more ways in which to support musical learning.
Together with our Online Learning Programme we have also created an extensive online resource page with lots of videos, activities, online music performances and much more!
Finally, the visual arts team have worked with Surrey Artists Open Studios and Surrey Hills Arts to provide a range of online art workshops for artists of all abilities and ages. SAOS artists have also provided online tours of their studios and have been part of the Sketchbook Challenge where they have shared their sketchbook works.
These are unique times and it is great to see so many talented people working together to ensure learning and creativity continues in Surrey!
BBC Master Classes and Live Lessons
ABRSM The ABRSM is the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, delivering over 650,000 music exams and assessments every year in 93 countries. Their website and YouTube channel contain exam support, syllabuses, and free online learning resources in their “Play On” programme.
ABRSM YouTube Channel Exam prep, learning videos and syllabus videos for woodwind, strings, brass, percussion, piano, guitar and voice.
Trinity College Music Exams Every year Trinity College London supports the music education of thousands of students with assessments across classical, jazz and rock & pop music. Their website and YouTube channel contain exam support and learning resources for students.
Trinity College YouTube Channel Exam prep and learning videos for woodwind, strings, brass, percussion, piano, guitar and voice.
Trinity Rock and Pop YouTube Channel Exam prep and learning videos for contemporary music instruments and music tech.
RockSchool – RSL Awards Exams, method books, YouTube tutorials
RockSchool YouTube Channel Exam prep and learning videos for contemporary music instruments and music tech.
Academy of Contemporary Music ACM is a specialist provider of creative industries education. Students including performers, producers, songwriters, technicians, and games developers are taught by established creative industry professionals.
ACM YouTube Channel Videos and masterclasses for contemporary music instruments and music tech.
Surrey Arts recognise the importance of continual learning and development. Collectively the Surrey Arts team have pulled together a range of resources available online so that learning can continue at home. These include free music scores, videos and apps as well as introducing Surrey Arts Online Learning – SAOL.
Don’t miss out and enjoy continuing to play music. #keepmakingmusic
Dear colleague,
Greetings from all our colleagues at Surrey Arts and very best wishes for the coming half –term and for your preparations for seasonal performance events at the end of term.
Please see below our second newsletter for this term, with details of a wide range of events and courses of interest to all who are interested in developing opportunities for music in Surrey schools.
As always if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch SurreyArtsSchools@surreycc.gov.uk.
Kind regards,
John Stephens
Curriculum Manager Surrey Arts and Lead for Culture Box Surrey
2023 Primary Music Festival – last places remaining!
Online music theory class, free trial
NEW Picks ‘n’ Stix, free trial
Ofsted: An Update on Music in Schools
ABRSM Classroom 200
Music Mark Membership for Schools
Up! Orchestra
CPD Events
External CPD spotlight
Vacancy
2023 Primary Music Festival – last places remaining!
The 2023 Primary Music Festival concerts are filling up quickly and several dates are already full. Space remains at our Dorking Halls concerts on the following dates 26 April, 11 & 15 May, 14, 15 & 20 June. Get in touch now if you’d like your school to take part!
Your registration gives you access to all the music you will need and some helpful online learning resources to help you prepare your children in learning the music. Specialised CPD is also available to teachers. The concerts are a great way for children to sing with other schools in one of Surrey’s top venues, along with a professional backing band. Email becca.jones@surreycc.gov.uk to request an application form for your preferred date.
Group online music theory class, free trial
Surrey Arts are expanding their ABRSM Grade 5 music theory online group classes and now offering individual online theory lesson for ABRSM Grades 1-3 or 6-8.
The lessons cost £9.50 per session for a 45minute online group lesson or £21.50 per session for a 30 minute online individual lesson.
Parents and carers of any student grade 3 or above can apply for a free 45 minute online ABRSM Grade 5 group theory trial lesson on Thursday 10 November at 5pm.
NEW Picks ‘n’ Stix, free trial
Offering students of all abilities, from year one and above, the chance to try a wide range of contemporary instruments, learning together, as a group of 3 or more students. Instruments include guitar, drums, keyboards, bass guitar and ukulele – try each instrument or focus on your favourite.
Cost: £8.60 per lesson
Day and time: Thursdays from 4pm
Venue: Woking Youth Arts Centre, Trinity Road, GU21 2SY
Parents and carers can apply for a free Picks ‘n’ Stix trial lesson on Thursday 10 November at 4pm for school years 1 to 3 and 5pm for years 4 to 6. .
Ofsted: An Update on Music in Schools
In this recording of this Music Mark session, Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for music, presents their latest thinking on effective assessment of music in schools. Christopher’s presentation, touching on different types and regularity of assessment, is followed by a period of Q&A covering a variety of topics raised by attendees.
Please find the recording of the session along with presentation slides on this link:
Ofsted: An Update on Music in Schools | Music Mark
Classroom 200 is a free online resource for school teachers working with students up to the age of 14. Featuring 200 recordings of inspiring music in a range of styles, plus accompanying lesson plans, Classroom 200 is all about bringing music to life in the classroom.
Lessons can be filtered by age, musical element or classroom layout. Each lesson plan contains a learning objective, key terminology, resources needed, ideas for whole class learning, small group activities and ‘support and challenge’ suggestions.
To access this fantastic free resource, visit www.classroom200.org
Music Mark Membership for Schools
Surrey Arts continues to offer all schools in Surrey free membership of Music Mark, the UK’s subject association for music education. Music Mark membership can offer your school opportunities for training and networking, as well as useful resources. You can find out more here.
In order to apply for membership please complete this form. To be granted membership we ask you to write a short statement which addresses the Music Mark membership criteria, and shows:
• evidence of engagement with Surrey Music Hub
Applications should be made with the support of the school’s headteacher.
UP! Orchestra is a free inclusive orchestra for experienced musicians, complete beginners and anyone in between. This award-winning ensemble is designed to be accessible for young people aged 13+ of all abilities, including those with special educational needs. We are particularly interested in welcoming Looked After Children, children from diverse backgrounds and any young people who have found it difficult to access music because of their life circumstances. Equally, if you’re a young person who just loves to make new music in a fun and creative way then we’d love to hear from you also. Best of all, there is no audition process and it’s totally free to attend!
UP! Orchestra is led by an awesome team of professional musicians whose aim is to ensure each participant has a meaningful musical and dance experience regardless of ability, musical interest, vocal style or instrument. The team is experienced in supporting young people in mainstream settings as well as those who have mental health, disability, behavioural, ESL (English as a second language) needs and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
During the Saturday morning music sessions, the young people will be taking part in a range of fun and fulfilling music activities. The theme this term is Pop Music! UP! Orchestra warmly welcomes new members to apply online or contact Lucy.Zirins@surreycc.gov.uk for further information.
The Role of Play in Children’s Musical Learning and Singing
Thursday 3 November 15.45-17.15 via Zoom
Singing doesn’t always have to take place in the choir! Establishing a culture of singing-play in your classroom is easier than you might think and can have significant benefits on your classroom community and each individual child’s wellbeing, vocal and musical development, and personal and social skills. This session led by Ex Cathedra’s ), Rebecca Ledgard will leave you with lots of activities to enjoy doing with your children. Rebecca has worked as Ex Cathedra’s Director of Education and Participation since 2000 and has led Singing Playgrounds and other significant projects across the UK and internationally. She was bestowed with honorary membership for the services to music education by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form
Voices Foundation: Choral Excellence
Thursday 10 November 16.00-17.30 at Chertsey High School, Addlestone KT15 2EP
A Voices Foundation session to help develop the choral leadership skills of teachers/MEH staff to lead high quality, whole school singing and choir sessions. This session is appropriate for new choir leaders or more experienced leaders who would like to further develop their leading skills. It makes a good follow-on session from our October “Start Your Choir!” workshop.
Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form
Introduction to Charanga Musical School
Monday 14 November 16.00-17.30 at Salesian School, Chertsey, KT16 9LU
A face to face training session for Surrey schools who are new to, or want to discover more, about the Original Charanga Scheme. Led by Timothy Bond.
To attend this in person CPD session, register here
Introducing the Music of the 2023 Primary Festival Concerts – workshop 1
Tuesday 15 November 15.45-17.00 via Zoom
The Surrey Primary Festival concerts are back! Come along to this online workshop with conductor Cole Bendall as an introduction to Teresa Jennings’ “Positive” and some of the other music to be included in the 2023 Primary Festival concerts. This is a good way to have a first listen to the songs your children will be singing and to get some ideas for ways to teach the music in your school. A follow-on workshop with more teaching tips will be offered in January.
Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form
SMH Inclusion Networking Event
Wednesday 16 November 14.00-16.00 via Zoom
An opportunity to hear about music opportunities for vulnerable children and young people as well as make connections, find solutions and discuss the topics that are currently important to attendees.
Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form
GarageBand class teaching for KS2
Tuesday 22 November 16.00 -17.00 at Surrey Arts, 14 The Pines, Guildford, GU3 3BH
A workshop exploring teaching years 5 & 6 how to compose using GarageBand. This session, with our Digital Music Lead, James Crompton, will provide lesson ideas for teaching full classes to create their own musical projects; teach students how to make voice collages & sonic art, video game themes, raps & vocals, rock & pop and dance music. GarageBand is easy to use, and notes are available with lesson ideas, learning objectives and studio tips. The workshop would suit both class teachers and music specialists looking to get their pupils exploring and creating their own music digitally.
Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form
Part Singing for Your Choir
Thursday 24 November 17.00-18.30 at Cranleigh School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, GU6 8QQ
A workshop hosted by Cole Bendall, for teachers who want to develop their choir’s skills in singing in 2 or more parts. This practical workshop will explore ways in which to introduce part singing, rehearsal techniques, and real-world examples from music submitted by teachers. Learn methods you can put to use straight away in preparing your holiday concerts!
Charanga and the Model Music Curriculum
Monday 5 December 16:00-17:00 via Zoom
Please note change of date due to National Bank Holiday
Surrey Arts and Charanga warmly invite you to this high-level overview looking at the structure of the Charanga units, the range of learning activities and supporting documentation. Led by Timothy Bond.
To attend this online CPD session, register here
Below we highlight some free music workshops by other providers, that may be of interest
Inspire-Works free online djembe leader training
Wednesday 9th November 5:30pm-6:30pm (GMT)
Fully interactive session via Zoom – bring a hand-drum (e.g. djembe) to brush up on your technique!
Using Inspire-Works’ model of workshop facilitating as a starting point, participants will have the opportunity to:
Learn:
Engage:
Develop:
Register in advance for this meeting: here
Can’t make the session?! No problem – sign up and we’ll send you the recording!
Full details about the videos and resources that accompany this free training are here: https://www.inspire-works.com
Kapow Music Blog: How to teach music even if you aren’t musical
Some useful tips here which some teachers may find helpful: link here.
Surrey Arts are recruiting for new instrumental music teachers
All the available vacancy details are currently in a separate attachment, ‘Instrumental Music Teacher Vacancies’ underneath the advertisement
We have opportunities throughout Surrey – please share far and wide.
“I am delighted to launch our comprehensive menu of services for schools for the period July 2022 to July 2023.
If you want music to make a difference in your school, take a look at how Surrey Music Hub can help or contact Surrey Arts to discuss anything that isn’t covered by those services.
We are passionate about the impact that the arts have on young people’s lives and believe that creative engagement has a place in every school. We hope that we can work together with you to give your young people the highest quality music and arts education.
All of our services are flexible and can be tailored to fit within your setting. They are also Covid safe, and can be delivered online with Surrey County Council safety requirements.
I would encourage you to visit our website and to make use of the programme of CPD and other opportunities we are creating for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or other requirements as we are always happy to meet with school leaders to discuss how best to meet your individual needs.”
Sarah Lee
Head of Surrey Arts
Monday 5 December 16:00 – 17:00 via Zoom
Please note change of date due to National Bank Holiday
Surrey Arts and Charanga warmly invite you to this high-level overview looking at the structure of the Charanga units, the range of learning activities and supporting documentation. Led by Timothy Bond.
To attend this online CPD session, register here
Due to the current lockdown some of the online training dates for Create and Sing have been changed.
Join the Royal Opera House for a two-part virtual CPD training course exploring our Create and Sing creative learning programme (KS1-KS3). Our specialist ROH drama and music practitioners introduce the programme, pedagogy and resources and guide teachers through effective approaches to supporting students’ creative learning by exploring opera.
Create and Sing is an innovative drama and singing programme supporting young people’s creative learning and giving voice to their creativity. Our nationally and freely available teacher training and resources engage schools in a creative process leading towards creating opera in the classroom. Teachers are not required to have specialist music training as our free certified training and unique online resources help guide them through the programme every step of the way.
Watch our video here to hear what teachers say about the programme.
Create and Sing’s Covid-19 adaptations
Due to the current lockdown, the Royal Opera House have had to revise the CPD schedule, moving dates to the end of this term and the start of next. Please note if you had previously booked onto a CPD the dates may have changed (more details below). Only one Surrey date has changed, but the online Surrey sessions will also be opened up to other schools nationally.
Create and Sing has adapted this year, with training taking place through virtual twilight sessions and schools projects starting in the summer or beyond. Create and Sing virtual training brings teachers together to explore, learn, share and have some fun during this difficult time of separation.
With many schools facing curriculum time pressures but also looking for a special, engaging and rewarding project for the summer, the training focuses on our Explorer (5-week lesson plan) schemes of work. These lead teachers and students through creative learning programmes with a range of curriculum links. Teachers do not need to commit to running a school project this summer to attend the training; all are welcome.
To Register…
Create and Sing works with partner organisations to bring teachers in local areas together for training. Where possible we ask teachers book on to their area training dates, but if you are unable to make these, there are also nationally open dates below. Places are free, booked via Eventbrite and allocated on a first come first served basis:
Surrey Music Hub dates
Create and Sing Carmen part 1
18/03/2021 16:30 – 18:30 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roh-create-and-sing-carmen-cpd-surrey-music-hub-part-1-of-2-tickets-131844643879
Create and Sing Carmen part 2
21/04/2021 16:30 – 18:30 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roh-create-and-sing-carmen-cpd-part-2-of-2-surrey-music-hub-tickets-131845301847
National training dates
Create and Sing Hansel & Gretel part 1
17/03/2021 16:00-18:00 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roh-create-and-sing-hansel-gretel-cpd-open-nationally-part-1-of-2-tickets-136815678377
Create and Sing Hansel & Gretel part 2
29/03/2021 16:00-18:00 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/create-and-sing-hansel-gretel-cpd-open-nationally-part-2-of-2-tickets-136816105655
Create and Sing Carmen part 1
18/03/2021 16:30-18:30 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roh-create-and-sing-carmen-cpd-open-nationally-part-1-of-2-tickets-136816540957
Create and Sing Carmen part 2
21/04/2021 16:30-18:30 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roh-create-and-sing-carmen-cpd-open-nationally-part-2-of-2-tickets-136816432633