Essex Music Service runs a network of community music centres throughout the County where young musicians of any experience can play together in bands, music groups and sing in choirs.
Here we focus on Braintree Community Music Centre (BCMC) which offers a range of one-to-one music tuition including drums, piano, keyboard, clarinet, ukulele, guitar and violin, with packages starting from £75 per term for 15-minute lessons.
BCMC also offers a variety of music groups including percussion, guitar, rock, strings, junior and choir, as well as singing, aural and theory lessons. The groups provide an excellent opportunity for children to practise and reinforce what they have learnt in individual lessons, work as a team, have fun and make friends, promoting positive social and emotional wellbeing whilst they learn.
This term, the centre has launched its Inclusion Group, following a hugely successful trial before the summer. BCMC is the only music centre in Essex to offer an inclusion group and it is already proving to be a popular and important opportunity for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in the Braintree area.
The Teacher-in-Charge, Paula Bobby is proud of the thriving, forward-thinking musical community BCMC has become for children, parents and staff alike. The centre welcomes children of all abilities, including those who want to make friends and have fun, learn multiple instruments as well as supporting those who are working towards music exams. The centre holds a number of events and concerts throughout the year both onsite and out in the community, where the children get to showcase their learning to parents and carers as well as gaining experience of performing. Preparations are currently underway for BCMC performances on the Radio Essex stage at the Braintree Christmas lights switch on event on Saturday 16 November 2019.
Please email paula.bobby@essex.gov.uk for more information.
“BCMC is very diverse and offers children the opportunity to not just practise, but take part in ensembles and understand the theory behind the music. All the children in our family have gone through the centre and had the chance to perform on stage to overcome their nerves, as well as playing endangered instruments.”- Mrs Brown, parent.
“The teachers are great and help you to learn a lot”, Patrick K, Violin and Orchestra pupil, age 12.
“It helps people to make friends”- Thomas P, Drums pupil, age 14.
“BCMC is a happy place to be, where you feel supported as part of a community and everyone strives to achieve their full potential.”- Sam Luff, Violin and String Group Tutor.
