About Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS)

Our vision is to achieve a broad and inclusive scene where all types of music can flourish.

PYMS provides a comprehensive music education service to Plymouth schools and colleges.

PYMS aims to give schools high quality support. It works with them to challenge, motivate and raise expectations for learners and support improved standards of music-making both in and out of school. PYMS encourages activities that promote the uptake of musical instruments and singing thereby extending pupils National Curriculum music entitlement and offering opportunities for live music in schools.

The music service works with music educators to challenge gender stereotyping and support transfer of pupils between key stages. It offers in-service training programmes to enable teachers in all sectors to meet the requirements of music as a foundation subject in the National Curriculum. PYMS works closely with schools and through a group of interested people to review its work and discuss future arrangements. It provides ensemble opportunities in bands, orchestras and choirs and individual tuition to pupils throughout the city, as well as regular concert opportunities for children to perform. The service receives grant aid from the standards fund grants for music services and the instrument fund which it is able to use to provide reduced price lessons for some families.

Partnerships

PYMS is a member of the Federation of Music Services (FMS), which was established in 1996. The federation aims to be a national voice for its member services and the vast majority of music services are now members. It holds an annual conference and organises working groups to discuss issues of common interest, keeping a high profile for the importance and value of music services. The federation has a key role to play in discussions with the Department for Children, Schools and Families on the funding and organisation of music services. PYMS also enjoys working in partnership with the Youth Music Action Zone (PMZ), specialist performing arts colleges, the Soundhouse at Estover Community College, the University of Plymouth and the neighbouring music services of Devon and Cornwall.

Instrument and vocal tuition

PYMS provides support and advice to Plymouth schools wishing to commence instrumental or vocal tuition and to schools where tuition is already in place by:

• visiting and advising schools wishing to begin music tuition;
• promoting active music performance and participation in schools where there is currently little or none;
• managing resources to provide maximum opportunities for young people to take up a musical instrument or singing in primary or secondary schools;
• maintaining a database of highly skilled and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) approved tutors to provide a prompt response to schools requiring instrumental or vocal tuition;
• linking the LEA with tuition in schools ensuring that quality of output is monitored;
• providing comprehensive information about music shops and instruments including hire/purchase opportunities and after-sales support.

Musical instrument and vocal tuition is accessible to all pupils attending schools or colleges in Plymouth. The service is provided through PYMS within the LEA.

In the first instance, parents or students wanting to take up an instrument are advised to discuss their plans with either the Head of Music, Music Co-ordinator or a music teacher at their school or college.

The PYMS Music Tuition Co-ordinator is available to liaise with schools to assist them in obtaining the tutors they need.  The Co-ordinator is also able to offer advice and information to parents and students about tuition, instruments etc.

The cost of the lessons can vary from school to school. The average charge per term per student is £50 to £60 which represents good value for the high-quality tuition that the young players will receive. This charge is affected by things such as contributions to the costs made by individual schools and some remission opportunities for those who are unable to meet the full cost of lessons.

A wide range of tuition is available covering most wind, brass and stringed instruments and singing lessons. All tuition is provided by professional tutors usually with considerable experience in their field, who ensure that students enjoy their music making, get the best possible training and are able, with application to make real progress on their instrument.

Lessons are weekly, 10 to 11 per term and normally given in groups of two to four players and will last approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The young players enjoy structured, challenging and fun lessons as they develop and improve their playing skills. Most schools have ensembles that young players can join when they begin to feel confident enough. These ensembles are invaluable in adding to the young musicians playing skills and broadening experience. As they become more proficient (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music Grade three upwards) they have the opportunity to join the Plymouth Youth Ensembles.

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