Why group work is good & great
We have found that playing in small groups, with others of the same level, is a great help in developing musicianship, and an essential accompaniment to the individual teaching we provide.
Group work gives the experience of playing in public, supporting and being supported by others. Working toward events sharpens up performance in a way that nothing else can do, and there is a great sense of camaraderie as they grow together.
Younger children love playing music with their friends and the beginners groups are often a highlight of their week. Older children and teenagers appreciate being able to grow and develop their talents, taking on more responsibility as they move to the higher chamber ensembles.
Mini Music Makers: 4.10pm - 4.50pm, for 4 - 6 year olds with parents
Aimed at the 4 - 6 year age group, this course combines a simple introduction to cello, violin and viola using the exciting new and child-friendly Cellobabies and Violinbabies methods developed by Kay Tucker with our existing Kodaly based general musicianship training. This is a perfect combination with which to nurture and develop budding string players talents to the full.
The whole programme is designed to last a year, by the end of which your child will have developing musicianship skills, be playing simple pieces, and have a good understanding of how their instrument works and how to maintain it.
The next stage is to move on to individual lessons and “The Pizzicato Players”.
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In addition to providing an excellent foundation for learning these instruments, playing an instrument has been shown to be of great educational benefit in other areas of learning. This is especially true for children who start on an instrument at a young age.
This all sounds very serious, but actually these sessions are great fun for everyone and not hard work at all. Simply put, we break down the musical elements to their simplest form and have fun with them!
It is hard work having to be aware of pitch, rhythm, co-ordination, understand musical notation and control an unfamiliar instrument all in one go, but with our musical training your child will find the transition onto an instrument becomes a natural step.
The full Mini Music Makers programme lasts from September to July,although some may move on early at the teachers discretion. Once the children have completed the programme they go on to play as a chamber group in The Pizzicato Players.
In addition they will then need an individual lesson of between 20 and 30 minutes per week. This will allow children to develop at their own rate, work on elements of playing as and when necessary and choose pieces that suit them.
Chamber groups: beginners to grade 8’s
As a strings organisation we don’t offer a full orchestra to play in. However being in a smaller chamber group does offer benefits that playing in a larger orchestra cannot match.
For example, working in small chamber groups rather than large orchestras means that you will take a greater responsibility for a musical line. While the others do support you, you will make a much larger contribution to the total sound.
It also means there is more direct communication between the players, both musically and socially.
The groups are arranged by grade, so that you will be with people of roughly your own experience and skill level.
At this stage, you will also be having individual lessons and starting to develop your skills as a player. This group concentrates on strengthening the musical principles introduced in the Mini Music Makers programme. You will also spend more time playing as a group.
The ideal next step for budding young chamber players. This group further develops listening, performing and composing skills and group playing with more than one line.
Working on a fun and varied mixture of duets and trios, folk and classical music. You will continue to develop compositional skills and may even have your pieces performed at public concerts.
You will now also work on more difficult and varied repertoire. Small group playing gives you the opportunity to create, explore and share work with new friends who have the same interests as you.
The enjoyment of playing chamber music provides an essential awareness and responsibility not inherent in other musical disciplines such as orchestral playing. Members of this motivated group are prepared to join Accent and take part in many of the same activities.
This vibrant and active group produces some really exquisite playing. Accent gives formal public concerts in venues throughout Exeter and regularly takes part in a variety of activities such as playing in the Harlequin Shopping Centre or in a local cafe or pub. Led by our senior chamber coach, they can regularly be heard busking in the centre of Exeter and members often play for weddings and other functions.
Each term we have one or more concerts or other events at which some or all of the groups participate.
All our staff are very friendly and relaxed with the children while encouraging them to perform to a high standard.
Theory
Some musicians learn to play by ear, but to progress and take higher grades you need to be happy with musical theory. It has to be said that this can take some getting used to.
Therefore we have a theory group that is aimed at children nearing their grade 5, who want to continue into the higher practical grades. Being confident with musical notation and being able to sight read can make a great deal of difference to your enjoyment, so this is well worth considering.
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