Music

Overview

South Tyneside Music Service has a very good reputation for supporting and nurturing the musical abilities of young people in the borough.

We encourage maximum participation in music making activities.

We try to reach as many children and young people as possible, nurturing talent through excellence in teaching and learning and offering opportunities for ensemble or orchestral performances.

What opportunities are available

There are a range of opportunities available (not in every school), including:

  • small group lessons with the traditional brass, woodwind and string instruments plus some guitar, keyboard and piano 
  • whole class lessons in ukulele, recorder, djembe, samba, garage band, and keyboard

We also offer a number of free or nominal charge ensemble opportunities for children to showcase and build on the skills learnt.

Working in partnership

From September 2012 to August 2024 South Tyneside Music Services were in a partnership with Gateshead Music Service.

This was created in direct response to the government's National Plan for Music Education (NPME), to provide access, opportunities and excellence in music education for all children and young people.

This partnership has now been dissolved and replaced, from September 2024, by a far larger partnership formally known as the North East Music Hub.

This new hub comprises services in South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, Durham & Darlington and North Tyneside.

This new hub continues to be funded by Arts Council England (ACE).

All the partner music services provide specialist delivery and services to schools, community groups and ensembles.

Our partners' services were very successful and together we hope to broaden and further develop what we can offer you.

Music lesson videos and resources to use at home / school

We have provided music videos and resources to use at home or school. 

We are keen to deliver the best possible musical opportunities for students in South Tyneside.

Everyone can use the resources below, including self-help videos, music tutorials and projects based around singing and songwriting.

Schools can also upload these resources to their own VLE.

Music activities

South Tyneside Music Service offers activities for children and young people.

As well as being fun, there are also learning benefits as they help develop music skills.

The sessions are around 15 minutes long and there will be a new set of activities each week. All activities will have a song or another element to practice each week, so there is something to work on every day.

Singing lessons

Singer-songwriter Dan Donnelly will be providing singing opportunities for Key Stage 3 (KS3), ages 11 to 14. 

Young singers will learn about the structure of the songs and how time-signatures help achieve the different 'mood' of each song. 

Lesson 1 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Lesson 2 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Lesson 3 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Lesson 4 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Lesson 5 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Lesson 6 - Singing - Dan Donnelly

Resources for lesson 1:   Lover by Taylor Swift and time signatures (Word doc) [24KB]

Resources for lesson 2:   Disco cycle of 5ths (Word doc) [15KB]

Resources for lesson 3:  Sin City and intervals (Word doc) [172KB]

Resources for lesson 4:  Relative Minor Chords - All I have to do is dream (Word doc) [241KB]

Resources for lesson 5:  Playing in a difficult key - Ed Sheeran (Word doc) [169KB]

Resources for lesson 6:  The Police and Semitones (Word doc) [15KB]

Drumming lessons

Musician Alex Watson shows how to make a 'junk' drum kit from household items and will be doing fun activities, using the junk kit to help develop a sense of rhythm and pulse. 

Sessions for Key Stage 2 (KS2) - ages 7 to 11 -  introduce music reading, and sessions for Key Stage 3 (KS3) - ages 11 to 14 -  work on more challenging songs.

Lesson 1 - Drumming for KS2/KS3 - Alex Watson

Lesson 2 - Drumming for KS2/KS3 - Alex Watson

Lesson 3 - Drumming for KS2 - Alex Watson

Lesson 3 - Drumming for KS3 - Alex Watson

Lesson 4 - Drumming for KS2 - Alex Watson

Lesson 4 - Drumming for KS3 - Alex Watson

Lesson 5 - Drumming for KS2 - Alex Watson

Lesson 5 - Drumming for KS3 - Alex Watson

Lesson 6 - Drumming for KS2 - Alex Watson

Lesson 6 - Drumming for KS3 - Alex Watson

Jenn Cherene - Music lessons

For younger children, singer Jenn Cherene provides singing and activities for early years pupils and a slightly more advanced set for Key Stage 1 (KS1), ages 5 to 7. 

Early years: 

Primary: 

More videos and resources

Videos and resources for:

Useful links

Early years, primary school, or children with special educational needs or disabilities

  • Bucket Drumming
    Bucket Drumming session on Youtube from Tees Valley Music Service. 
  • BBC Teach Bring the Noise 
    A range of free, fun and simple online music resources that can be used flexibly at home or in the classroom. The website offers interactive and inclusive activities for EYFS, KS1 and SEND pupils. Resources include, 'Thunder Jam' an animation series that can tie into themes of Spring, weather and Vivaldi; new songs in a variety of styles such as 'Music Time' and 'Golden' with lyric sheets; and the BBC Philharmonic over the coming weeks, children are invited to take part in the 'I am a Robot' sing, sign and dance challenge, where adults can send in videos of their child's robot performance for the chance for it to be included in a new BBC Teach Bring the Noise music video.
  • Sing Up at Home
    Sing Up has been working on a new home-schooling area of their website, which houses songs, videos and activities for teachers to download and then upload to a VLE for pupils to use at home. You can view some of the resources on it whether or not you have an account or membership with them but will be able to access more as a member. Sing Up will be continuing to create and add more resources as quickly as possible.
  • Friday Afternoons 
    A free resource which connects teachers and young people with contemporary composers, through high-quality songs. The Song Bank contains scores, lyrics sheets and backing tracks for over 70 contemporary classical songs, plus associated resources aimed at supporting teachers to deliver singing sessions, including Charanga resources, worksheets, and videos designed for young people and teachers. 
  • Out of the Ark
    Free resources to help you build a daily singing routine. They'll be providing songs for activities/challenges for teachers and parents to use in the coming weeks and full Words on Screen™ Videos of selected songs together with some activities to go with each song.
  • Music Express
    Collins Music are offering free access to Music Express while schools are closed to support teachers, parents and pupils. Music Express is a digital resource for teaching primary music that's easy to use and accessible to non-musicians as well as music specialists. Set engaging music lessons from home with a wealth of songs, games and activities with simple, step-by-step instructions. Free access for home learning can be obtained by visiting the link above.
  • Sound and Music
    Sound and Music is supporting parents and teachers by making Minute of Listening content available free of charge during the coronavirus emergency. You can now explore exciting collections of minutes and teaching resources. Using a minute every day, you can give children at home regular listening and appraisal activities, learn through discovery and establish a sense of routine. We hope this will allow as many children as possible to get a minute of creative listening every day and escape the confines of isolation through sound. To access this content, simply try a free trial account if you don't already have one, and then start listening!

Videos from Gateshead Music service- Lead Partner in GSTMEH: 

Secondary school

  • BBC Bitesize KS3 Music
    Loads of practical steps for music-making and inspiring examples from famous musicians and artists. These guides are designed to enable 11 to 14 year old students to work through at their own pace, whatever their level, to develop their practical skills and get inspired about the potential of a career in music. The resources cover composition, performance, improvisation and evaluation skills and are ideal for short or long-term projects in the classroom or as homework. Topics include How to write a song, How to rap and Percussion. We've also teamed up with Ten Pieces to create five companion guides with detailed steps on making jazz music, minimalism, a Doctor Who theme, film composition and fusion music.
  • Open University
    Open University offers three free useful resources for Secondary Schools: Introduction to Music Theory, Discovering the blues and Understanding musical scores.
  • The Great British Home Chorus
    Gareth Malone's online choir - over 80,000 people have already signed up. Includes free sheet music for use by the chorus.

 

Music ensembles and events

Ensembles 

Our free music ensembles are funded as part of our ACE grant for the Music Education Hub.

They are open to children who currently play, either privately or in school, at a beginner standard or above.

Your child must be aged 8 to 18 years old and attend a South Tyneside school.

These are fantastic progression opportunities to play and perform with like minded students / peers. 

Ensembles currently available are: 

  • Junior strings - for string players just starting out in their first ensemble
  • Intermediate strings - for more experienced young string players
  • Senior band - for intermediate / advanced woodwind, brass and percussion
  • Junior band - first ensemble for beginner brass, woodwind and percussion
  • Drum young - this is an opportunity for beginners to join a lively and fun samba band, ideal for those with whole class experience with samba / djembe 
  • Cool Clarinets - ensemble experience for clarinet players 

Coming soon will be: 

  • iPad band - for pupils who have completed our taster project
  • RockWorks - guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals (includes loan of instruments)
  • Ukulele band - this will provide an opportunity for pupils who have basic ukulele skills to join an ensemble

View the upcoming dates

Music Events

For more information about these sessions, and how to join, please speak to your music teacher / tutor in school or email lynn.freer@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Music teachers and tutors in South Tyneside

Sessions organised by the South Tyneside Music Service in schools are all delivered by qualified teachers / tutors. 

Below is a short profile of each music teacher / tutors in South Tyneside. 

Catherine Freeman

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher / Ensemble Lead

About me

Studied at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, followed by teacher training at Bretton Hall College.

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Music, PGCE, LTCL

Musical experience

I have taught woodwind for South Tyneside Music Service since 1994, specialising in clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Most of my students attend the Wind Band Centre, and play in orchestras, ensembles, cadet bands and jazz ensembles, and I encourage as much participation in ensemble music as possible.

My students are encouraged to perform in a variety of styles, in large and small scale events, and to enjoy their music making.

My background is orchestral, and I enjoy performing with the New Tyneside Orchestra in Newcastle. Most of my work outside teaching takes place in the theatre, and I perform regularly in theatres throughout the North East.

Contact details: catherine.freeman@southtyneside.gov.uk

Rachel Graham

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Strings Teacher / Ensemble Tutor

Qualifications

  • P.G.C.E 

Contact details: rachel.graham@southtyneside.gov.uk

Alistair Storey

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Brass Teacher / Ensemble Lead

I am a peripatetic brass teacher that goes round both primary and secondary schools, recruiting and teaching pupils from Year 4 to Year 13. I teach brass from individual pupils up to whole class brass in the authority's 'First Access' classes.

I have been a member of staff with the Music Centre, that meets on Saturday mornings, for the last 18 years rehearsing, teaching, conducting and playing with all of the centre bands.

I also conduct South Tyneside Orchestra which is a community orchestra. We rehearse popular music to perform at concerts and events throughout the year.

About me

I studied at Newcastle College to gain the Graduate Diploma in Classical Music. I then studied at Sunderland University to gain my B.A. (Hons) in Music Education. I can play and teach all brass instruments but specialise in the tuba. I am also able to teach piano / keyboard and recorder.

Qualifications

  • Qualified Music Teacher, B.A. (Hons) in Music Education
  • Graduate Diploma in Classical Music
  • Grade 8 Tuba - Associated Board Royal School of Music

Musical experience

I have played and do play in a lot of different styles and groups.

My main background has been in brass band playing, playing with bands for over 30 years. I currently play with the Reg Vardy Band. This is a Championship Section Level Band which I have played with for 10 years.

I have also have played in brass quintets, orchestras, wind bands, theatre bands (in the pit) as well as conducting various bands, orchestras and as theatre shows as an MD.

Contact details: alistair.storey@ southtyneside.gov.uk

Derek Bird

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Percussion Teacher / Piano Teacher / Ensemble Lead

I am currently teaching a wide range of whole class groups from year 1 to year 6 in primary schools across the borough in Glockenspiel, African Djembe drums as well as Brazilian Samba drumming. I also teach keyboards in small groups in a number of primary schools, helping to develop skills in key stage 1 and 2.

I provide individual drum kit lessons in a number of secondary schools, working with music teachers to help older pupils through their GCSE music performance exams as well as rock school and / or guildhall drum exams from beginner to more advanced, or simply building life skills.

About me

I first played a military marching snare drum in the South Tyneside Pipe Band then started playing drum kit in a number of local bands and now I have over 30 years experience in performing with other musicians live in a wide variety of venues and settings.

After studying music at college and then university, I started working as a music lecturer at South Tyneside College as well as teaching a number of private students locally. I joined Music Services as a percussion tutor and I have been working in South Tyneside schools, building a good working relationships with teachers and heads.

Qualifications

A level Music: BA (HONS) Music: PGCE

Musical experience

I have over 30 years as a working musician playing in a variety of bands across many different styles. I have held samba workshops, led a young drum group and organised concerts for them.

Contact details: derek.bird@southtyneside.gov.uk

Adam Nyberg

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Strings Teacher / Ensemble Lead

Contact details: adam.nyberg@southtyneside.gov.uk

Linda Gibson

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor

About me

I studied at Boldon Comprehensive School playing cornet / trumpet and tenor horn, before moving on to tutoring others with the South Tyneside Brass Band Centre.

Qualifications

Grade 8 Cornet Associated Board Royal School of Music

Musical experience

I've been a tutor with the Saturday Brass Band Centre since March 2009. I have played since the age of 11, and have played at championship standard in several local brass bands over the years.

I have played at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues in various competitions. I have mainly played cornet and held Principal Cornet position for several years at a local brass band. 

During the last few years I have moved on to tenor horn and find this a pleasant change. I no longer play competitively.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

David Hazell

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor / Conductor

About me

I have both Music and Education degrees as well as performing and teaching diplomas for both trumpet and piano. My training and qualifications were obtained from Leeds and Newcastle University and the Colleges of Music.

I was formerly an examiner for the Guildhall School of Music Examinations (nine years) and became an examiner for Trinity / Guildhall Schools of Music soon after the amalgamation in 2006, a post I still currently hold examining all instruments from Grades 1 - 8 and Certificate and Diploma Examinations.

I have also been a Senior Examiner for 'A' Level and AS Music, a GCSE examiner, and have been on the music panel and awarding committees for GCSE Music Examinations in the past.

I have conducted many 'Syllabus-Specific Support Programmes' for both GCSE and 'A' Level.

Qualifications

  • BA (Music)
  • MED
  • BED (Hons)
  • LRAM (Piano - Teaching)
  • ARCM (Piano - Teaching)
  • LTCL (Piano - Performing)
  • LGSM (Trumpet - Teaching)
  • LLCM (Trumpet - Performing)
  • ALCM (Trumpet - Performing)

Musical experience

I began my career as a comprehensive school teacher in the North East of England, undertaking part-time lecturing in a College of Education and further Heads of Music posts, including Middle and High Schools, before leaving teaching and becoming a freelance musician, examiner and conductor.

I have been a Musical Director / Conductor for many choirs, brass bands, orchestras and musical societies in the North East of England having been responsible for many musicals too numerours to mention.

My experience in the brass band competition field is also extensive having conducted in the championship section and lower sections.

I have also been the Musical Director for a local theatre for over 20 years in which pantomimes and musical shows were performed annually.

I teach a considerable number of students in my private practice - piano, electronic keyboard, all brass instruments and singing. As a trumpet and cornet player I have given recitals, played in brass bands and orchestras.

As a pianist I have given recitals, performed concertos, accompanied choirs and many soloists including, in the brass band field, David Childs, Dudley Bright, Shona White, Steven Sykes and Alan Morrison to name but a few.

I also have experience in composition and arranging with many of my compositions and arrangements having been performed in my local region.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

John Ioannides

Job title and responsibilities

Woodwind / Ensemble Tutor / Conductor

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Colin Niel

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor

About me

My music qualifications for trombone playing were awarded by the London College of Music.

Although I am a trombone player I can also play valved instruments and consequently I am able to teach the full range of brass instruments.

Qualifications

  • Licentiate of London College of Music (Trombone Playing) - 1977 - LLCM
  • Associate of the London College of Music (Trombone Playing) - 1976 - ALCM

Musical experience

Music Education Experience

September 1980 to date: Part-time Music Tutor for South Tyneside Council.

Co-Director of South Tyneside Schools Brass Band Scheme Centre in 2004-5 responsible for:

  • Administration and promotion of the centre
  • Communication with parents
  • Communication with the Head of Music Services and Staff
  • Co-ordination with other parts of the music services such as the wind band and string orchestra centres
  • Organisation of concerts and other performances by groups from the centre

Music Tutor responsible for:

  • Teaching the full range of brass instruments
  • Rehearsing premier, senior and beginner bands
  • Preparing bands for concerts and conducting the bands at the concerts
  • Taking section rehearsals
  • Individual tuition in preparation for grade exams when required

Music Performance Experience:

  • Principal trombone in Monkwearmouth band of the Salvation Army where my solo repertoire includes the Ferdinand David "Concertino", Ray Steadman Allen's "The Eternal Quest" and Erik Leidzen's "Concertino for Band and Trombone"
  • Solo performances with piano accompaniment in fund raising concerts, repertoire includes Movements from the Gordon Jacob Trombone Concerto, Rimsky-Korsakoff's "Flight of the Bumble Bee"
  • Playing in pit orchestras for shows e.g. Sweet Charity, Fame, Me and My Girl etc
  • Occasional performances with Bede Wind Band and South Tyneside Orchestra

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Martin Nilsson

Job title and responsibilities

Ensemble Tutor: Playing the tuba and working with the low brass in both the junior and senior wind bands.

About me

I started playing brass relatively late at Boldon School and the Saturday Brass Centre.

My first instrument was the tenor horn but that didn't last long and the instruments grew in size until I was playing tuba before I left Boldon.

Qualifications

As I started playing relatively late and took a while to settle on playing the tuba I didn't have a lot of time to gain formal qualifications.

I do have grades 4 practical and 5 theory from the ABRSM as well as GCSE and A level music.

However I also have over 20 years experience playing with local brass and wind bands.

Musical experience

I've been playing long enough to have gained some great musical experiences.

After starting out in school bands at Boldon and the Saturday Brass Centre I joined Boldon Brass Band and enjoyed competition success with them both locally and around the country. 

After a few years away at university I came back to South Tyneside and joined Westoe Brass Band and Bede Windband. With these I was lucky enough to play in all of the best music venues in the North East and further afield such as the Guild Hall in Preston, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and the Royal Albert Hall.

It was great to be invited back to work with the Saturday morning centre to come back to where it all began.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Phillip Sheard

Job title and responsibilities

Ensemble Tutor/Wind Band Conductor

I currently conduct the Junior Wind Band. The ensemble exists to allow pupils to be able to play their instruments with other pupils in a fun, supportive environment.

It is an opportunity to make friends with other musicians from across the Borough and build upon the skills learnt in school ensembles.

The ultimate aim is to gain the experience and musicianship of playing with other people (which personal practise at home cannot achieve) in order to progress into the Senior Wind Band and above.

About me

My first musical experience was singing in the Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir before learning the violin in Year 4 at primary school. By Year 6, I was being taught the trumpet by Stuart Wilkinson and continue to play the trumpet regularly.

Before moving to Newcastle for University, I played in the North Lincolnshire Orchestra, Concert Band and Swing Band where I had many opportuites to go on European tours, play in the National Concert Band Festival and even record a CD.

I support the work of the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain, working on their pastoral team on their residential courses as well as helping at their Northerlies regional rehearsals. 

Away from music, I teach Mathematics in a secondary school.

Qualifications

  • BSc Hons - Mathematics and Statistics
  • PGCE
  • ABRSM Trumpet - Grade 8

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Sharon Rogers

Job title and responsibilities

Ensemble Tutor (self employed) - Specialist Area - Tuned Percussion

About me

I play piano, clarinet and percussion. I have 25+ years experience of teaching piano from beginner to Grade 8 ABRSM standard.

I have worked alongside South Tyneside Music Service supporting percussion players in both the Junior and Senior Wind Bands.

I can also teach music theory to ABRSM Grade 5 standard.

Qualifications

  • BA Hons Education
  • Cert Ed
  • Grade 8 piano
  • ALCM (Associate of the London College of Music)

Musical experience

My musical experience of playing in ensembles originates in South Tyneside as I was a member of South Tyneside Stage Band. From there I played with South Tyneside Orchestra and other local ensembles.

I now play regularly with Bede Wind Band which has given performances at the Sage Gateshead, Newcastle City Hall and other local venues.

In the past I have also played percussion with Brass Bands.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Angela Mason

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Uke / Guitar Teacher/ Ensemble Tutor

I teach a wide range of instruments, including the ukulele, flute, recorder, guitar and violin.

I engage children in their learning by providing inclusive and engaging lessons incorporating modern, interactive resources such as Charanga and Musical Futures - creating enjoyable and lively lessons.

My responsibilities also include preparing and entering children for graded exams with the Associated Board Royal School of Music.

About me

I am passionate about music and making music accessible to young people whatever their circumstances. I have been teaching in various educational settings for over 20 years, including in local schools and at the Sage, Gateshead.

I have played and do play in a variety of different styles and groups, including folk music, Klezmer ( Hebrew and Yiddish) and modern church music. I currently sing and play guitar, violin and flute in 2 local bands.

I occasionally play violin or sing at local weddings and other public events.

Qualifications

  • Qualified Primary Teacher,  PGCE - Northumbria University
  • B.A. ( 1st-class Hons)
  • Grade 7/8 flute,  Grade 5 piano

Musical experience

I am a lead vocalist and guitarist in two local bands, enjoying playing and singing in a variety of languages and styles.

My musical experience covers ceilidh bands, church music groups, Jewish Klezmer and educational venues, modern pop music, as well as playing and teaching flute, guitar, ukulele, recorder, keyboard and violin.

Contact details: angela.mason@southtyneside.gov.uk

 

Music opportunities

As part of our commitment to support the National Plan for Music Education, we have mapped out all of the music making activities available in South Tyneside:

Music opportunities in South Tyneside

Contact Music Services

If you need help with any of the information on these pages contact Music Services. 

The team can be contacted by phone or online.

To get in touch call 0191 426 8103 or email lynn.freer@southtyneside.gov.uk or music@southtyneside.gov.uk.