Huntingdonshire Music School Association

What is HUMSA?

It is the parent body that supports the Huntingdonshire Music School - a form of PTA.

The aims and objectives of HUMSA are:-

• to provide a stimulating environment in which to promote the study and performance of music for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in Huntingdon and surrounding areas.
• to offer a broad range of specialist, individual music tuition for students at all ability levels, consolidated by theory tuition, aural training and group music making activities to match the varying needs and interests
• to promote the musical education of children and young persons and adults resident in the area around Huntingdon in particular by organising and supporting a music school
• to promote the enjoyment and performance of orchestral, instrumental and choral music and all other performing arts in this area

The role of HUMSA is to strive to achieve these objectives. Specifically it will:-

• establish, provide, maintain and encourage the teaching of music, music theory and music performance in the area around Huntingdon.
• make access to this musical education open to all without distinction of age, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin or place of residence.
• as far as practically possible encourage and enable the pursuit of this musical education and performance by children and young people of families of limited financial means.
• establish, maintain and encourage such orchestras, bands and musical ensembles as are judged by the Management Committee mentioned below to promote the objects of the Association.
• prepare and promote concert performances by such ensembles of music of all kinds both in public and in private.
• strive towards achievement of the highest possible musical standards by the various musical ensembles
• encourage the achievement of the highest possible success in practical and theory examinations in all kinds of music and performing arts by those taking part in the Association’s activities.

Whilst this might sound as though it needs super heroes with underpants on the outside, we are, in fact, everyday mortals (Mk 1 Human Beings).

Who is in HUMSA?

All adult pupils of the Music College and parents of our younger pupils are automatically members of HUMSA. Specifically, the types of membership available are:-

• Ordinary Members. Persons who have enrolled for tuition or participation in ensembles plus parents and guardians of these members. Friends of the Association who have paid the annual subscription
• Life Members. Individuals who have paid a single subscription or donation to the Association of not less than five times the Friend’s annual subscription
• Corporate Members. Bodies corporate and unincorporated societies which subscribe to the Association an annual sum of not less than ten times the Friend’s annual subscription

How Is it Run?

Like any other organisation, we have a committee that runs HUMSA on a day to day basis. We have formal positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. We have an Annual General Meeting (groan ;-( )for the election of committee members and the formal positions which is normally co-incident with an end-of-term concert.

We do involve the rest of HUMSA where collective decisions have to be made or where information needs to be gathered to help formulate plans for the future.

This is the start point for pupils at the Huntingdonshire Music College. In time,and with feedback, we hope to provide the information and links that are useful to our musicians - including those taking instrument tuition and those taking part in playing in a group.

Initially, information is provided on:-

• term times
• what you need and where to find it
• what a typical Saturday morning looks like
• taking exams
• keeping in contact

Term Times

The term times and half term dates are provided in the[events diary on this site.

Alternatively another online source is to look at the iCal form of diary (which can be book-marked or subscribed-to and is easier for us to maintain).

What You Need and Where to Find It

The following is a potted list of the things you might need and where to find them.

• Registration Form. Filled out at the beginning of the academic year (or first registration). Available at reception.
• For theory: Theory Books, Papers. A selection of ABRSM books and practice papers are available at reception. You’ll need to bring at least apencil and a rubber.
• For lessons: Music tutor books (your teacher will advise which ones and may have or be able to get them). Note book or practice book for the teacher to jot down what needs to be done in the coming week (available at any stationery shop or ones with special features e.g. to record practice times etc. available from good music shops. Instrument (apart from large ones, e.g. piano/drum kit you bring this with you)
• For ensemble/group work: instrument, music stand (available from music shop).

What a Typical Saturday Morning Looks Like

A lot of lessons, probably most, take place on a Saturday morning between 08:30 and 13:30 during term time.

You are likely to be involved with 1 or more of the following:-

• an individual practical instrument lesson. This might be 15 or 30 minutes long depending on grade and what you ask for.
• a group theory lesson. These last for roughly an hour and are graded from beginners to advanced (Grade 6 +).
• one or more ensemble/orchestra/band playing session, limited only by your availability and keen-ness (the fee is the same).

A break-down of the typical hectic Saturday timetable for the theory and ensemble elements is shown on a separate page.

Taking Exams

First, things first. You don’t have to take exams. Many just want to play and that’s just fine - the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do.

We have more information on taking practical and theory music examinations ....

Keeping in Contact

If you’d like to be kept up to date with news, developments, events and the occasional changes to locations/lessons then join this site. As a member you can then keep tabs on us and register your level of interest and/or music tendencies (we promise not to let on if you don’t )!

If you’re thinking about either enrolling one of the family or yourself at the Music College it’s probably best to come and see what we do first.

The Music College does run specific open days but but any Saturday morning during college term time (09:00 to 13:00) provides an opportunity to wander in and see what’s going on. Ask at the reception by the entrance for the Director, Gary Sieling [ the effervescent one with professional music qualifications after his name and a cycling proficiency to boot], or if you you know what instrument or band interests you someone can guide you.

Types of Enrolment

There are 2 basic types of enrolment, which depend on where you have tuition:-

• full - this is where you have tuition at the Music College and take part in the full music package (tuition + theory + group work (when OK))
• associate - this is suitable if you already have lessons elsewhere but want to make use of the theory or ensembles

In either case you’ll want to get in contact with the college.

You can enrol at any time during a term (not just at the beginning) and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

Prospectus

You can download a prospectus which has more information about the Music College, including fees and an application/enrolment form:-

• 2007 - 2008 prospectus (Adobe Acrobat 7 file, 12 pages, 1 Mbyte)

If you need to get hold of the free Adobe Acrobat reader in order to read the file you can do so using this link.