Our latest KPI's (Key Performance Indicators):
96 Music Centre Members
122 Regular Individual Lesson Slots
754 Recorded visits during November
Here's a bunch of start/next dates for things!
MICROJAZZ AND SWINGCOPATION - Wednesday 7 Sept, 6pm and 7pm
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS - Friday 9 Sept for Drums, then w/c 12 Sept for everything else
BASIC MUSIC THEORY - Monday 12 Sept, 6pm
COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA - Thursday 15 Sept, 6pm
AFRICAN DRUMMING - Monday 19 Sept, 7pm
COMMUNITY CHOIR - Tuesday 20 Sept, 7pm
(RENAISSANCE BRASS and MADRIGALS TBA)
MICROJAZZ AND SWINGCOPATION - Wednesday 7 Sept, 6pm and 7pm
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS - Friday 9 Sept for Drums, then w/c 12 Sept for everything else
BASIC MUSIC THEORY - Monday 12 Sept, 6pm
COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA - Thursday 15 Sept, 6pm
AFRICAN DRUMMING - Monday 19 Sept, 7pm
COMMUNITY CHOIR - Tuesday 20 Sept, 7pm
(RENAISSANCE BRASS and MADRIGALS TBA)
Christmas and New Year Closing
Last individual lessons of the term take place on Thursday 17 December
The Orchestra, Microjazz Band and Big Band are performing at St Mary's Priory on Wednesday 16 December
Last group rehearsal of the term is the Community gospel Choir on Tuesday 15 December
All activities restart w/c MONDAY 4 JANUARY 2016
The Orchestra, Microjazz Band and Big Band are performing at St Mary's Priory on Wednesday 16 December
Last group rehearsal of the term is the Community gospel Choir on Tuesday 15 December
All activities restart w/c MONDAY 4 JANUARY 2016
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS for anyone in the South Wales borders area!
(Use the contact form or email brian.ellam@btinternet.com to buy or discuss)
Each comes with a gift card mounted in an a good quality greetings card, unique reference number, information sheets and free consultation to discuss how to recipient can get the best out of their membership.
A year's membership of Chepstow Community Music Centre
STUDENT - £60 per year or 12 x £5 Standing Order
PART TIME/RETIRED/CONCESSIONS - £120 or 12 x £10
FULL TIME WORKING ADULT - £180 OR 12 x £15
A course of musical instrument, singing or music technology tuition
12 x 20 minute lessons - £120 or £30 per month for 4 months
12 x 30 minute lessons - £180 or £45 per month for 4 months
One-off musical experiences:
Sing with or direct the Big Band - £30 for 1 hour session
Build-a-band (hire musicians to play with you) - £30 per hour
Recording Studio Time with Technician - £30 per hour
Voucher for any musical activity - £30 for 1 hour
(Use the contact form or email brian.ellam@btinternet.com to buy or discuss)
Each comes with a gift card mounted in an a good quality greetings card, unique reference number, information sheets and free consultation to discuss how to recipient can get the best out of their membership.
A year's membership of Chepstow Community Music Centre
STUDENT - £60 per year or 12 x £5 Standing Order
PART TIME/RETIRED/CONCESSIONS - £120 or 12 x £10
FULL TIME WORKING ADULT - £180 OR 12 x £15
A course of musical instrument, singing or music technology tuition
12 x 20 minute lessons - £120 or £30 per month for 4 months
12 x 30 minute lessons - £180 or £45 per month for 4 months
One-off musical experiences:
Sing with or direct the Big Band - £30 for 1 hour session
Build-a-band (hire musicians to play with you) - £30 per hour
Recording Studio Time with Technician - £30 per hour
Voucher for any musical activity - £30 for 1 hour
Half Term Opening
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER - ORCHESTRA IS ON
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER - BASIC MUSIC THEORY IS ON
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER - CENTRE OPEN FROM 6 - 9.30PM (SWINGCOPATION10 REHEARSAL ON)
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER - BASIC MUSIC THEORY IS ON
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER - CENTRE OPEN FROM 6 - 9.30PM (SWINGCOPATION10 REHEARSAL ON)
Vital Statistics for September 2015
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 63
WEEKLY LESSON SLOTS: 81 (You don't need to be a member to have your individual lessons in the Centre)
LESSONS TAUGHT: 212
LESSON "NO SHOWS": 4 (1.89%)
VISITS SIGNED IN: 280 (Members and non-members taking part in groups and supervised sessions)
SCHOLARSHIPS APPLIED FOR: 8
SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTED: 8
WEEKLY LESSON SLOTS: 81 (You don't need to be a member to have your individual lessons in the Centre)
LESSONS TAUGHT: 212
LESSON "NO SHOWS": 4 (1.89%)
VISITS SIGNED IN: 280 (Members and non-members taking part in groups and supervised sessions)
SCHOLARSHIPS APPLIED FOR: 8
SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTED: 8
Can you help?!
We are trying to grow a community orchestra, and I'm aware that such things in small towns tend to take several years to get going!
* Most accomplished players of orchestral instruments are already very busy, and probably not looking for another regular evening out - that's fine, but you are welcome to pop in whenever you can
* What about those who used to play an instrument, but gave up for whatever reason? Perhaps you are ready to get the benefits of playing in a group again - even if you have no instrument, we can help!
* Youngsters progressing through the early grades, around 2 to 5, are encouraged to join in with this as an extra opportunity to the usual school and youth orchestras
* Pianists and those with a few keyboard skills rarely get the chance to be part of an ensemble - WE NEED YOU TO PLAY MISSING PARTS ON KEYBOARDS set for example to oboe, violin, bassoon etc.
Members of the Music Centre have access to this group already included, but for those whose ONLY involvement is the orchestra, I'm offering a special rate of only £1 per session (after a free taster session) - there are enough obstacles to building this kind of group without adding a financial one!
If this doesn't apply to you, I'm sure you know people who might be interested, therefore please let them know!
REHEARSALS ARE ON THURSDAY EVENINGS - ANY TIME YOU CAN MANAGE BETWEEN 6 AND 8PM AT THE MAIN (WYEDEAN) CENTRE NP16 7AA
Chepstow Community Music Centre opened on 1 September 2015!
Although based at Wyedean School, it is an additional musical opportunity for the whole community – for example the Community Gospel Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings in Chepstow School’s Drama Studio.
Brian Ellam and his team of volunteers and self-employed instrumental and vocal tutors share a vision to provide everything local musicians need to “enjoy and achieve”, from space and equipment to groups and mentoring.
After more than 30 years in Music Education, Brian is ready to focus more on extra-curricular music, which he sees as the most fruitful and enjoyable aspect of his work, co-ordinating the expertise of established musicians from all over the region for the benefit of local people of all ages who want to enjoy the benefits of active music.
This has been made possible through the generosity of the town’s schools in making space available outside school hours, and a funding model like a fitness gym, where members pay a small monthly subscription to gain access to the Music Centre’s many facilities.
We have had the Chepstow Community Big Band and Microjazz Band rehearsing on Wednesday evenings for a few years, and the lovely ethos of communal achievement and entertainment has been extended to an all-inclusive Gospel Choir on Tuesday evenings and an intermediate Concert Orchestra on Thursdays. Other small groups will emerge as active members begin to collaborate.
Brian is passionate about including all people with talent and motivation, regardless of ability to pay, and has set up a Charitable Trust in memory of his mother. Anyone can apply to the Trustees for scholarships to pay for individual lessons in 12-week blocks, and there is a similar arrangement for sponsored membership of the Centre.
On a typical evening, someone coming along for their individual lesson will be inspired by groups rehearsing and others recording their performances in the studio. Other members will be getting support with their Music Theory, or being creative with music software on one of the 16 Digital Audio Workstations. Over free refreshments, conversations will lead to new ways of working together, make arrangements for public performances, or just compare what people are enjoying listening to at present……….in other words, a real “buzz” about all things musical!
Brian aims to grow the Centre steadily until retirement, then pass the “baton” on to younger musicians with a similar passion for active community music, hopefully leaving a lasting musical legacy in the town.
We are trying to grow a community orchestra, and I'm aware that such things in small towns tend to take several years to get going!
* Most accomplished players of orchestral instruments are already very busy, and probably not looking for another regular evening out - that's fine, but you are welcome to pop in whenever you can
* What about those who used to play an instrument, but gave up for whatever reason? Perhaps you are ready to get the benefits of playing in a group again - even if you have no instrument, we can help!
* Youngsters progressing through the early grades, around 2 to 5, are encouraged to join in with this as an extra opportunity to the usual school and youth orchestras
* Pianists and those with a few keyboard skills rarely get the chance to be part of an ensemble - WE NEED YOU TO PLAY MISSING PARTS ON KEYBOARDS set for example to oboe, violin, bassoon etc.
Members of the Music Centre have access to this group already included, but for those whose ONLY involvement is the orchestra, I'm offering a special rate of only £1 per session (after a free taster session) - there are enough obstacles to building this kind of group without adding a financial one!
If this doesn't apply to you, I'm sure you know people who might be interested, therefore please let them know!
REHEARSALS ARE ON THURSDAY EVENINGS - ANY TIME YOU CAN MANAGE BETWEEN 6 AND 8PM AT THE MAIN (WYEDEAN) CENTRE NP16 7AA
Chepstow Community Music Centre opened on 1 September 2015!
Although based at Wyedean School, it is an additional musical opportunity for the whole community – for example the Community Gospel Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings in Chepstow School’s Drama Studio.
Brian Ellam and his team of volunteers and self-employed instrumental and vocal tutors share a vision to provide everything local musicians need to “enjoy and achieve”, from space and equipment to groups and mentoring.
After more than 30 years in Music Education, Brian is ready to focus more on extra-curricular music, which he sees as the most fruitful and enjoyable aspect of his work, co-ordinating the expertise of established musicians from all over the region for the benefit of local people of all ages who want to enjoy the benefits of active music.
This has been made possible through the generosity of the town’s schools in making space available outside school hours, and a funding model like a fitness gym, where members pay a small monthly subscription to gain access to the Music Centre’s many facilities.
We have had the Chepstow Community Big Band and Microjazz Band rehearsing on Wednesday evenings for a few years, and the lovely ethos of communal achievement and entertainment has been extended to an all-inclusive Gospel Choir on Tuesday evenings and an intermediate Concert Orchestra on Thursdays. Other small groups will emerge as active members begin to collaborate.
Brian is passionate about including all people with talent and motivation, regardless of ability to pay, and has set up a Charitable Trust in memory of his mother. Anyone can apply to the Trustees for scholarships to pay for individual lessons in 12-week blocks, and there is a similar arrangement for sponsored membership of the Centre.
On a typical evening, someone coming along for their individual lesson will be inspired by groups rehearsing and others recording their performances in the studio. Other members will be getting support with their Music Theory, or being creative with music software on one of the 16 Digital Audio Workstations. Over free refreshments, conversations will lead to new ways of working together, make arrangements for public performances, or just compare what people are enjoying listening to at present……….in other words, a real “buzz” about all things musical!
Brian aims to grow the Centre steadily until retirement, then pass the “baton” on to younger musicians with a similar passion for active community music, hopefully leaving a lasting musical legacy in the town.