Essex Music Services is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Lovell as its new Head of Service.

Peter has worked within the service for 5 years as a curriculum specialist, leading the work to support schools across Essex deliver a high-quality music education. Peter has held previous roles as a Head of Music in a secondary school, where he also supported and delivered primary music programmes, he has worked as an A level and GCSE music and music technology examiner, has managed district based projects and delivered instrumental tuition to individuals who have  won scholarships at the Guildhall of Music.

Peter is looking forward to building on his current successes within Essex Music Services and ensuring that the service continues to provide to all communities across Essex.

Create and Sing is the Royal Opera Houses’s national education programme offering free training days and resources to KS 1-3 teachers, enabling them to explore and create opera in the classroom.

Read Sarah Goldsmith, Schools Curriculum Support Officer, enthusiastic report on Part 1 of this case study and find out what Part 2 is all about!

If you are a current subscriber to our new E-Learning package, did you know you may attend or host a free Charanga Twilight CPD session? 

Find out  how to host a free a Twilight CPD session on this link.

New Charanga Twilight CPD sessions are regularly updated on our  website. These are free to all subscribers to E-Learning package. For details on the latest CPD sessions, please click here.

Enjoy Essex Youth Orchestra’s performance of three well-known, well-liked and egg-cellent classic pieces this Easter at Saffron Hall.

Find out more about the egg-ceptionally talented young musicians of our flagship group at its next Easter concert here.

Pictured - Essex Youth Orchestra at Saffron Hall, 2019

Find out how class teachers and music tutors found the answers at a recent Practical Skills Progression in Primary School Music CPD session.

The next Practical Skills progression in Primary School Music takes place on Wednesday 6 May 2020 in Boxted near Colchester. To book click here

Creative Writing through the Arts - Using Music to inspire writing in Primary Schools. A free CPD day to support, inspire and encourage creative writing.  Find out more here or simply book your place email vcarroll@northwickpark.essex.sch.uk

Charanga and O-Generator CPD Training - these are free to all schools who have a current subscription to our E-Learning Package. Click here to find out about the latest CPD Twilight training for the music resources within our E-Learning package.

Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra astound an audience of jazz aficionados, family and friends at Marigolds Jazz Club and celebrate an 18th birthday too!

Find out more about the concert and Jack Eavery's 18th birthday here 

For further information on how to join or hear any of our groups, please contact:- 

Jenni Thomson - telephone 0333 013 9362 or email Jenni.thomson@essex.gov.uk

Pictured - 18 year old Jack Eavery, baritone sax player

Essex Young Musician of the Year 2020 entries are now open! The competition aims to support and encourage young talented musicians who live in, or, attend school, or, were born in Essex. What's stopping you?  Find out more about the competition and more here.

National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) - the world's first disabled-led national youth orchestra is calling out for talented 11- 25 year old disabled and non-disabled musicians on acoustic or electronic instruments. To be part of a pioneering, creative orchestra click the link above or email info@noyo.org.uk

Free Youth Folk Sampler Days comes to Saffron Walden! Aged 12-18? Play an instrument confidently? Want to play by ear and develop your creativity? Free sampler day takes place on Friday 29 May 2020 at Saffron Hall. Book your place here

BBC Young Composer Calling all young singer-songwriters, eclectic electric composer, genre-spanning songsmiths, and creative melody-makes. Open to all aged 12-18 years old. Winners music will be performed at the BBC Proms in 2021. Closing date 11 June 2020.

Saffron Centre for Young Musicians - Summer Holiday Courses. Choose from String Chamber Groups(3-5 August) or Rock and Jazz (5-7 August) For more information click the link above or email info@saffroncym.org

Music Theatre Essex  are looking for young musicians to perform in its Pit Orchestra for its next shows.  Find out more on the link above or email info@musictheatreessex.co.uk

Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition 2020 - young violists aged 21 or under are invited to apply for the above. To find out more click on the link above.

The Opera North Orchestra Academy is an immersive orchestral training programme for outstanding young musicians age 14–19 Grade 7+ in school years 10–13 from across the North of England and beyond.

Grand Union Youth Orchestra and Annual Summer School 2020 - learn about world music from experts, discover new instruments, improvise, composes, meet like-minded young musicians and take part in a public performance. Summer School takes places at Writtle University 27 - 30 July 2020 with bursary places and an early bird-discounts available.  Contact Nadia Nervo nadia@grandunion.org.uk for full details.