Our work in schools and the community

Doncaster Music Service (DMS) provide lessons that are delivered by specialist teachers of each instrument or family of instruments for which the service invoices the school directly, the school may then seek payment from parents to support the costs.  Teaching is often done in small groups, but advanced pupils and those sitting examinations, may be given an individual lesson.  Instrumental teaching is generally carried out during school hours and every effort is made to arrange times so as not to interfere with the schools internal timetables. Pupils will be invited to join Music Centre orchestras, bands and other ensembles as soon as they reach the necessary standard.  Please see the William Appleby Music Centre page for more information.  Pupils can be prepared for a variety of examinations. These include the performance part of GCSE and A-Level music as well as the syllabuses of ABRSM, Trinity College, and London College of Music.

Lessons are provided on:

• guitar (includes classical, electric and ukulele);
• recorder;
• piano/keyboard;
• voice;
• full range of orchestral, band and percussion instruments including:
• stringed instruments - violin, viola, cello, double bass;
• woodwind instruments - flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone;
• brass instruments - trumpet, cornet, horn, trombone, tuba;
• percussion - drum kit, tuned percussion, handheld percussion.

Whole class instrumental tuition is also provided, this allows all children to begin learning a musical instrument as part of their class at Primary School.  Over half of Doncaster's Primary and Special Schools currently take part in these programmes and projects include melody makers (rhythm, pulse, singing and percussion). samba, recorder, woodwind, brass, guitar, ukulele and strings.

"The tutor has been fantastic with our pupils and has really taken the time to get to know them and their individualities, whilst at the same time, providing high quality music instruction to a room full of complete beginners! The progress the children have made is outstanding." (December 2024)

"The tutor works excellently with the support staff in class and uses the behaviour strategies in place to support the children. Positive praise/ reward is consistently used." (December 2024)

"The tutor is a fantastic tutor who accommodates for the needs of all children in class. Children are inspired and enthusiastic about music and engage well with the guitar performance" (December 2024)

Many teachers within the Music Hub have significant experience as performers and conductors, and you may wish to arrange for our staff to rehearse and direct school music and vocal ensembles during the school day, at lunch time and after school.  The specialist help of an experienced instrumental teacher from our service may be invaluable in the directing of group work in schools.

Schools, particularly those without a music specialist, may wish to buy in the services of an experienced classroom teacher to help meet the requirements of the National Curriculum in music.

An advisory service is available to schools on all matters concerning the delivery of music in schools.  Practical help is offered to teachers of music by the provision of CPD opportunities, either through school or centrally based courses.  Regular meetings are held for Primary Music Coordinators and also for Secondary Heads of Music to disseminate information and share best practice, the lead school for Primary is Richmond Hill Primary Academy and the lead school for Secondary is The McAuley Catholic High School.

The Music Service has created a number of tutorials for students and schools. 

The Music Hub has a wealth of resources and links to help parents, students and schools deliver music.