Promoting Musical Talents at Mill Lane School
We have a strong tradition of developing the musical talent within the school by providing many opportunities to perform, sing and learn a variety of instruments. Joyful Music Tuition provides lessons in a variety of instruments (recorder, drums, ukelele, guitar, piano) and all the Year 4 children learn the cornet for a year.
The School has two choirs. The Junior Choir (Year 4 - 6) and the Little Choir (Year 1 - 3). Each year the Junior Choir performs at the O2 alongside 8,000 children from schools around the country. They also sing at Dorchester Abbey alongside other schools in the county. These are amazing opportunities for children to experience the thrilling of performing in different arenas with other choirs. Both choirs entertain a number of community groups and perform at village events.
Each Summer we hold our annual music concert where all our singers and instrumentalists have the opportunity to perform for family and friends. Children can also volunteer to play their instruments as the children enter and leave the our whole school gathering on Mondays.
Every class has a weekly music lesson with a qualified music teacher. They experience singing a range of songs in a variety of styles, learning harmonies and singing in parts. The children also learn musical notation and get to compose their own songs.
Joyful Music Tuition
Instrumental lessons are supplied by Oxfordshire Music Service and also by Joyful Music Tuition under the leadership of Mrs Gail Roberts, who has been principal piano and recorder teacher at Mill Lane since January 2006.
The name Joyful Music reflects Gail’s ethos that music-making is something to be enjoyed and she is committed to providing outstanding tutors who believe that learning an instrument should be fun.
Instrumental tutors are all DBS checked and fully trained, as well as having excellent experience and qualifications. Joyful Music Tuition is an independent music service and gives a proportion of each lesson fee to the school.
Lessons take place during the school day and are generally one-to-one (e.g. piano), although some instruments work well in pairs (e.g. guitar) or larger groups (e.g. recorder). For a full list of current instruments on offer, please pick up an enquiry letter from the School Office, or telephone Gail Roberts on 01844 351193.
