We will put Children, Young People & Families at the heart of the Year of Music programme. It is important that we look to the future and vital that we develop opportunities for the next generation.
This strand of the programme is currently being developed, but never fear as Kirklees has a wide range of opportunities for children and young people in formal and informal education, as well as through opportunities through our festivals and venues.
We are also developing an international partnership for children and young people on song writing. The project started with our American partners: I’ll Fly Away Foundation, STAX Music Academy, Memphis, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi.
The Kirklees Music Education Hub is a vibrant partnership between schools and other partners involved in providing music – from choirs and ensembles to retailers and recording studios. One of 122 Music Education Hubs funded by Arts Council England, the partners are working together to: increase access to musical instrument lessons; provide opportunities to play and perform; ensure progression routes are clear and affordable; develop a singing strategy supported by local choirs and vocal ensembles.
EvoKe is the Cultural and Educational Partnership, providing opportunities for children and young people to benefit from the amazing creative and cultural offer across Kirklees.
Founded by the owners of the renowned Hanson Musical Instruments in Marsden, Hanson Community Arts is a not-for profit organisation providing music making for the community through its junior wind band, small orchestra, community choir, jazz collective, two string groups, ukulele group and big band.
JamFactory is a musical education hub which aims to provide inspiration and a wide range of musical opportunities for people of all ages and experience, including private lessons, group sessions, theory classes and social groups, as well as school holiday camps, rhythm stick drumming group, band coaching sessions and an adult guitar/ukulele club.
Musica Kirklees provides music services including instrumental and vocal lessons to learners of all ages and all abilities, both in and out of school time. There are over 70 exciting groups at five music centres and central ensembles and lessons are provided through schools across Kirklees.
Based in Linthwaite, Ricky’s School of Rock provides expert music tuition in guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, piano and vocals, alongside courses and sessions such as RockJam, (real band sessions), guitar and ukulele classes, kids pop choir and ladies rock choir. Specialist classes include music theory, songwriting and band skills. Learning is immersive, bespoke and supportive to enable everyone to follow their own dreams.
The Department of Music & Drama at the University of Huddersfield offers undergraduate courses in Music and Music Technology along with post-graduate studies and specialist areas include contemporary music, popular music and jazz, technology and engineering and composition. The staff are recognised as leading figures in their fields and the Department was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 for ‘world-leading work to promote, produce and present contemporary music to an international audience’.
At Shelley College students can study for a Level 3 Certificate in Music.
Ranked No1 in Kirklees/Calderdale in the 2019 Real Schools Guide, Heckmondwike Grammar School offers students the chance to study for A Level Music.
At Kirklees College you can turn your passion for music into a career – from performing to producing, teaching to technical support and courses that take you from beginner through to semi-professional, courses include Music Practitioner (Rock School – RSL) Extended Diploma Level 3 and Subsidiary Diploma Levels 2 and 3.
Greenhead College in Huddersfield is one of the best Sixth Form Colleges in the country and has a thriving music department offering A Level courses in music and music technology as well as BTEC Music Performance. Music ensembles include College Choir, Chamber Choir, String Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Experimental Noise, Big Band and Wind Band.
Part of the Netherhall Learning Campus, the Creative and Media Studio School sees businesses and pupils working side-by-side in a £4.5m purpose-built learning facility where the curriculum is taught through enterprise themed projects, both in school and the surrounding community. Students can study for BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music (Performing), BTEC Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diplomas in Music.
Music can build social connections and provide a safe space to experience strong human emotions.