General
The Huntingdonshire Music School (HUMS) is a independently run school specialising in musical tuition and group playing. It is based within the Huntingdonshire Regional College (see contact page for details) and has been teaching music to all age ranges for over 30 years.
In order to explain what we do and how we're organised the following topics are summarised:-
Each of the overviews contains links to other sections where more detail may be found. As the site matures further pages will be needed to fully explain the features and benefits of being part of the HUMS.
Pupils
In our own right we currently have around 460 pupils. Considering that
we've never consciously advertised (other than through the excellence
of our pupils) and are independent of the usual county - Local Education
Authority organisational structure, that says a lot about the range and
quality of what happens.
The Music College is open to all age ranges,
not just those of school age. Our current age range
spans from 4 year olds to 83 years old. This is an important point
to remember for those adults
who want to have a go at an instrument, but thought that they'd "missed
the boat" -
YOU HAVEN'T! This is illustrated
in a recent Hunts Post Article.
Music is a great leveller and you'll often find great communication between the senior citizen and the little dot when put into the same musical situation - with an instrument in hand, music on the stand and both trying to figure out what to play, when to play and, importantly, when not to play. Whilst old hands may not be as quick they do tend to be highly motivated and developed effective ways of learning. Young hands are quick to learn but often need to develop learning methods and discipline. This cross-fertilisation between young and old is increasingly something that doesn't happen much in the modern fast-paced and isolated society and therefore something to be valued.
Music Lessons - Overview
Most of the tuition (not all) takes place on a Saturday morning between the hours of 09:00 to 13:00 (or thereabouts).
A typical Saturday morning might include:-
- a practical music lesson on an instrument. For grades 1 to 4 inclusive (more on this in a while) this is usually 15 minutes and 30 minutes for grades 5 and above. Your teacher might also take advantage of gaps in their schedule to lengthen these times.
- a theory lesson of an hour. These are streamed by grade so that you're always with others at a similar level. They also include time at the end to practice for the aural part of music exams, for those that are taking them.
- group work of typically an hour. Depending on your timetable and inclination you may be in more than one group or ensemble. Lessons are normally scheduled to allow you to join in as many of the groups as you've a mind to (somewhat of a nightmare to administer)
- time in the refectory/canteen area - to talk to others, catch up on work, drink coffee, chill out ...
Music lessons are available for the following:-
- Acoustic Guitar
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Classical Guitar
- Cor Anglais
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Drum Kit
- Electric Guitar
- Euphonium
- Flugel Horn
- Flute
- French Horn
- Harpsichord
- Horn
- Keyboard
- Eb Bass
- Oboe
- Orchestral Percussion
- Organ
- Piano
- Piccolo
- Recorder
- Saxophones (all)
- Singing
- Tenor Horn
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
As with everything nowadays the list is demand-led. If there's sufficient demand additional teachers are brought in. Likewise, if there is sufficient demand for something that isn't in the list we can always add it so it's always worth registering an interest even for soemthing that you can' see in the list above.
Music Lessons - Teaching Style
Music Exams - Practical And Theory - Optional
If you wish to, you can be entered to take a formal music examination such as those run by the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM). These, for example, start at Grade 1 and finish at Grade 8 and include practical (playing) as well as a listening (aural) part. Your teacher will tell you if you are ready to take one. The exams take place at the end of each term and registration closes at the beginning of the term. If you have entered for an exam you have the option to practice with accompaniment (if relevant) and practice the aural as part of your theory lesson. Depending on the instrument other examination boards are used.
It is also possible to take exams at Grades 1 to 5 for music theory. In fact, to move beyond Grade 5 at the practical (playing) side you have to have passed a Grade 5 theory exam
Pupils only take exams if they want to. Whilst a formal qualification is nationally recognised, if you simply want to turn up and play - you can!
Group work
Everyone at the music school gets the opportunity
to play in one or more groups whether they be an ensemble, band, or
orchestra. These cover musical style ranging from classical, swing to rock. Depending on the enthusiasm of potential musicians, new ones are being added - for example the rock band(s) are new and permanent fixtures and this year saw the first performance of the flute choir.
Unlike most other musical institutes, there is
no mandated minimum grade or level to attain before you are allowed
to join in. This does not mean that the standard of playing is lowered - far from it (bands such as the Swing Band play in paying fixtures and are in great demand). Your music teacher will normally suggest when it is sensible for you to join in. When starting out you are not expected to be able to play every note - so long as you play the ones you do know at the right time and keep quiet at other times then others will be none the wiser;-)
Group work is an integral part of the day in addition to the music lessons and theory. In fact one of the real benefit of this college is that you do play in groups (almost impossble to get this sort of experience otherwise as an adult) as part of the package.
You can play in as many groups as you've the time
and energy for, for
the same small amount.
You don't have to take lessons in order to
join a group. We also
have Associate Members who either take lessons elsewhere (or not at all!)
and who simply join us for group playing.
The current groups are:-
Ensembles
- Brass Ensemble
- Guitar Ensemble
- Intermediate Brass Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
- Senior String Ensemble
- String Ensemble
- Woodwind Ensemble
Bands
- Intermediate Concert Band
- Junior Rock Band
- Preparatory Concert band
- Rock Band
- Senior Concert Band
- Swing Band
Orchestras
- Junior Orchestra
- Senior Orchestra
Public Work
One of the downfalls/benefits of playing music is that inevitably you get the chance to expose your talents to the wider world (this falls under the grown-up category of "character-forming"). HUMS provides its pupils with different opportunities to play in the bigger-world:-
- externally run competitions
- as part of a group or ensemble
- in a concert at the end of each academic term
- in a band that has been booked to play at an external private function
- at a public event such as the summertime events organised by
the Huntingdon District Council
We are also very keen to make the college as inclusive as possible by admitting people from all backgrounds (so long as they like music, don't take themselves too seriously, are prepared to try and to have fun with others of a similar disposition).
Adult Involvement
Adults appear at or around the college in all guises.
Some simply deliver the kids and wait in the canteen refectory until the kids have finished. Many give in the unequal struggle and learn something themselves. It's much easier to tell them to practice their scales when they can see that you have to do them....
Some know that they want to learn an instrument from day 1 and simply get stuck in.
Others reach a point in their lives, such as retirement, and decide that they're not ready to surrender and learn the instrument that they'd always wanted to but didn't previously have the opportunity to.
Some help by way of either taking part directly in the association (HUMSA) and it's activities including:-
- this website (and we always need contributors, photographers , budding graphic designers)
- publicity material
- talking to potential sponsors
- committee posts
- public events
- catering for college events
Some might be budding experts/tutors in anything from an instrument to composition to the application of music technology.
