Performance opportunities!!

The Forte Music School will perform a music showcase during the festival on Saturday 29th June 2013.

There’s the choice of a large outdoor stage or a smaller acoustic stage, each performer has a slot of 15 minutes, which will be enough for around three songs.
This is a truly amazing opportunity to show off all your hard work!  Interested pupils should contact Jayne at festival@musicisourforte.co.uk

Sabbatical

After my opera course in London I have decided to take an additional two weeks off.

Last teaching day:  Saturday 30th March

First day back:  Monday 29th April

Between 15th – 28th my pupils can Call/Email/Skype me (fortemusicschool) and I will give them free consultations and advice.

Survey

What would be the best way for you to access the new Forte library of learning materials?

Please take part in our survey:

Easter Bootcamp

There are still spaces to work with David over Easter, 1hr lessons three days a week for two weeks.  Get in touch:  pianobootcamp@musicisourforte.co.uk

Workplace choirs

We will set up an office choir at your place of work.  Additional options for private tuition on-site.

Your flex-time will be put to good use with us!

We organise everything, from booking rooms and timetabling lessons.

Book at workplacemusic@musicisourforte.co.uk

Old Torry community centre is getting ready to host the four choir workshops; we very much hope that the children and young people of Torry show an interest we can create a permanent choir.

Pay-link

Pupils can now pay for a block of lessons direct from their bank account, in small monthly payments interest-free. Wouldn’t lessons be easier to budget for if you could organise the payment on pay-day? Ask Jayne if you can “Pay-link it”.

Easter Bootcamp

David will have the run of our Abbey Road studio for two whole weeks, and he wants YOU to kick-start your piano-learning journey with an EASTER BOOTCAMP!

One hour lessons on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two weeks. This intensive learning will put you well on your way to learning piano and/or voice. If you book your course now you can make interest-free payments and spread the cost. Enquire at jayne@musicisourforte.co.uk

Many thanks

Jayne

It soon became clear that everyone who took part was really enjoying the choir rehearsals. I noticed people were becoming more confident and this showed in their body language.  People were being more sociable with each other and people looked happy. Many stated that they look forwarded to singing, the exercises were making them feel good and they felt good being part of a group planning an “exciting” event.

The build up to the Road show was also a very exciting time and after the performance people were thrilled to have been part of the performance.

Aberdeen Youth Choir in Torry

This project is brought to you with support from Aberdeen City Council.  Aberdeen Youth Choir has been established since October 2009 and provides specialist vocal tuition for children and young people aged from 8 – 18yrs.  Over the years the choir has performed all over Aberdeen, from The Tunnels for a family concert to a world premiere at the Music Hall.

This year, we are looking into the viability of opening a second branch of Aberdeen Youth Choir in Torry.  The choir is ideal for those who love to sing and would like to learn more while singing in a group, but don’t worry you don’t need to read sheet music.  We are just like a Glee club; we learn everything from memory and perform with movement.

If you know any children or young people who would like to join please email me jayne@musicisourforte.co.uk

Vocal Bootcamp

Intensive workshops, ideal as a refresher course or as an introductory lesson with more depth.  The course will be 5 hours long, 4 hours tuition with 1hr for breaks and lunch.  The course is from 10am – 3pm and can be booked for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost of the course will be £95, which can be paid in instalments if required.

Referral Scheme

If you have a friend that attends the school, hit them up for a referral code.  You will get an Introductory lesson or half price!

Workplace Choirs

Would you like more music in your life?  We can help you establish a workplace choir!  We organise everything, from booking rooms and arranging lessons.

More info here:  http://db.tt/DP51wy55

Forte pupils and members of the public,

Save the date:  Thursday 8th November at The Tunnels.

The Forte Music School will be celebrating it’s third year in business with a charity fundraiser for Aberdeen Youth Choir and we need your help!

It will be £3 door tax, but free entry for pupils who take part in our open mic!  Have you been practicing a new song recently?  This is the perfect opportunity to have a go!  Not only will it be a good laugh, you will also receive a party bag to say thank you!

If you would like to sing a song or play the piano please fill in your details below:

For those of you who are more of a music listener rather than a performer, we will also have a brilliant music quiz.  Any donations of prizes from individuals and/or local business will be gratefully received.

Looking forward to seeing you there

Jayne

We would like to introduce you to one of our tutors, the irrepressible David McLean.

In addition to his full time studies at the University of Aberdeen, he is the Musical Director of the RGU Singers and the Director of the University Opera Society.

He has recently been appointed as a National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) Aberdeen Area Choir tutor and the interim conductor the Elphinstone Chamber Orchestra.

What first inspired you to do music?

I have done it for as long as I can remember; my first memory is of singing ‘Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer’ when I was in nursery.  Things have just escalated from there!

Who are your favourite composers/songwriters?

Chopin is my favourite for piano compositions, Vaughn Williams for everything else.

At the moment I am listening to The Pixies and The Smashing Pumpkins.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like watching films in my spare time.  I can’t pick favourites, I enjoy so many!

How would you describe your teaching style?

My approach is influenced by the Kodaly method of teaching (concentrating on pitch and developing the inner ear).  I like to teach people what they want to learn.  My lessons are informal but we get the work done!

Do you have any words of wisdom for beginners?

It’s important that your teacher is adapable, and can teach you what you wish to learn, and not what they think you should know.

Always make sure you are having fun and enjoying your lessons!

Here is a quick guide to what questions to ask when looking for a music school for yourself or your children:

What are the qualifications of the teacher?

Any music teacher worth their salt will have their music qualifications clearly on display in their studio.  We have all qualifications displayed on the wall.

Do the musicians adhere to 

The Music Education Code of Practice?

This is a voluntary code of practice which confirms a professional music teacher’s commitment to being prepared, organised, using appropriate material and striving to continuously improve themselves as a musician.  All of our tutors have signed up for this.

What equipment is available?

At the Torry studio we have a high quality vocal microphone and amplifier for students who wish to practice using a mic.  We also have a digital piano and a significant library of sheet music.

What about photocopies?

It is illegal to photocopy any more than 10% of a published work or to use any photocopies for a public performance, including music exams such as ABRSM, London College of Music, and so on.

The Forte Music School is a photocopy-free zone.  Can other music schools say the same thing?

What about technology?

All of our tutors have a sound dock in the studio.  If you have a favourite song or backing track you practise with, simply click your phone onto the dock to practise with your tutor.

We have digital copies of all sheet music in the school, so we can transpose any song into any key for you with the click of a button.

Can other music schools do that?

Do I have to sign up for a whole term?  

What are the terms and conditions?

Please check the Terms and Conditions before you sign up with a school!

Some schools insist you sign up for up to 13 weeks, without meeting or getting to know your tutor first.  If you miss your appointment, even if you are ill, you will lose that lesson and you will be expected to pay for it in full.

At the Forte Music School, if you cancel 24hrs  before your appointment you will receive a full refund.

We don’t commit students to a full term; we believe our pupils deserve a degree of flexibility as sometimes life gets in the way of your plans.

When a student books a block of lessons we ensure they receive every lesson they have paid for.  Each lesson doesn’t not have to be at the same time and does not have to be on consecutive weeks.  Our students have lessons when they want, not when we want.

Do you have any promotions/perks?

Complimentary tea and coffee and complimentary Wi-fi

Free Musicians Union Practice diary for all pupils.

Free on-street parking.

Foursquare promotion:  Check-in 3 times during your lesson and recieve a free music poster.

We provide all materials:  you will never have to buy any sheet music at our school.  We pride ourselves on our lessons having no additional costs; we provide everything you need.

I was really nervous at my first lesson, partly in case I sounded terrible and also because I am a little shy and find it difficult to relax when meeting new people, but Jayne made me feel really welcome and I was able to relax straight away. I would fully recommend Forte to anyone wanting to take up singing.”

Judi, Student

Her welcoming personality and professional technique have made my lessons really enjoyable. I have regained my confidence in my ability and decided to continue my lessons weekly with Jayne. and would highly recommend The Forte Music School to anyone”.

Melanna, Student

Dr. Roger Williams MBE