Partnerships
Havering Music School has existed in its present form since 1993. Under its four previous Heads of Service, Peter Cross, Helen Penny, Eric Forder and Isobel Liebman, the school has grown considerably, steadily building ensemble activities, amalgamating all the small Saturday Music Centres into one and creating partnerships with many of the country’s top orchestras and ensembles.
In September 2012, under current Music School Manager Gary Griffiths, HMS became the lead organisation for the Havering Music Hub, strengthening its position at the heart of the borough’s provision of top quality education and musical experiences for the whole community.
Karen Tweddle took the reigns as Principal of Havering Music School in 2020 and has driven the service from strength to strength, successfully navigating continued learning through lockdown and overseeing one of the fastest transitions to online learning in the UK. Karen has had a long career as both a Primary/Secondary music teacher and a violin teacher. In that time she can play and has taught all the instruments of the string family, is a pianist and plays the trombone. She has worked across East London and Essex settling in Havering in 2002.
Havering Music School is involved in a number of partnerships with local and national organisations. These help us to provide the best possible musical experience for our students and allow them to work with many talented professionals on a wide range of projects.
Havering Music Education Hub
Havering Music School is the lead in the Havering Music Education Hub, a partnership of local and national organisations including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, Wigmore Hall Learning Trust, Queen’s Theatre, The Indonesian Embassy, The Corp of Army Music, Conductive Music, Charanga and neighbouring music services.
The hub is part of a national network established under the guidance of the Arts Council to ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to sing, learn a musical instrument and perform as part of an ensemble or choir.
London Symphony Orchestra
Based at the Barbican Centre, this world famous orchestra was formed in 1904. The LSO’s community and music education programme, LSO Discovery, is based at St Luke’s on London’s Old Street. It provides opportunities for young musicians from Havering to play alongside the orchestra’s world-class professionals.
The London Chamber Orchestra
One of the world’s finest ensembles, the LCO’s music education project sees musicians and experienced workshop leaders share their enthusiasm and expertise with young musicians. In April 2013, under the banner Music Junction, jazz and Baroque musician David Gordon was commissioned by the LCO to write a contemporary response to Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. This was performed by young musicians alongside the LCO at Cadogan Hall.
Wigmore Hall Learning Trust
Wigmore Hall Learning provides access to chamber music and song through innovative creative programmes, online resources and events. By inviting a broad audience, particularly those who may be excluded from regular arts provision, to get involved in music making of the highest standard, the Trust aims to make connections to enhance learning and development, open opportunities and inspire people.
Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch
A vibrant producing theatre, serving East London and Essex, Queen’s combines the best in live entertainment with an inspiring education and outreach programme that includes hosting two Havering Music School concerts a year.
Viscount Classical Organs
Viscount Classical Organs is the UK’s leading electric Digital Church Organ specialist. They are also very keen to promote the organ (both pipe and digital) and provide learning access opportunities for young people.
Office of Indonesian Embassy
Havering Music School is the only music hub to be working in partnership with the Office of Education and Cultural Attache, The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, London. The initial project has seen Havering playing host to a highly experienced Artist-in Residence provided by the cultural attache, Prof. E. Aminudin Aziz as part of their outreach programmes - “Gamelan Goes to Schools” and “Community-based Gamelan”. Many local schools benefitted from free workshop sessions, with the students learning about Indonesian music and dance directly from renowned experts.
Corp of Army Music
The Corps of Army Music is the public face of the Army and supports National and Defence interests around the globe, where its specialist musical abilities cross international languages and cultures. They currently employ musicians in 7 Symphonic wind bands, 2 Wind bands , 6 Multi capability bands, 3 Brass bands, 1 String orchestra and 3 Specialist bands, performing music across the full range of genres and styles. Their extensive outreach programme enables students to grasp the exciting career options open to them #itpaystoplay
Conductive Music
Dr. Enrico Bertelli and Emily Robertson form Conductive Music. CM sits at an intersection between multi-media performance artists and open-source communities. As both artists and researchers, we help young people from challenging backgrounds develop musical, technical, and performance skills by introducing them to new music and new media. We incorporate open-source technology to enable delivery of high-quality, cutting-edge projects (Makey Makey for instruments from recycled materials; Flora/Trinket for wearable sensors on augmented clothing).
Sound Connections
Encompassing more than 4,500 member organisations and practitioners, Sound Connections leads the way in delivering exceptional music programmes, professional development, research and advocacy for the community music sector. It is the sole provider of musical inclusion in London.
Charanga
Charanga is the best-selling, modern resource for primary music which includes a complete scheme to teach the national curriculum for music, a vast library of songs, topics, instrument courses and creative apps (along with In-depth support for assessment, SEND and personalised teaching and learning).
Charanga works in very close partnership now with over 100 Music Services and Hubs in England and with large teaching organisations internationally.
Further partnerships
Havering Music School’s links with the following organisations provide additional support and opportunities for young musicians. Our experienced tutors will provide regular advice to students to help their development.
London Music Fund
The fund works with every London borough to provide outstanding development opportunities to children and young people who demonstrate musical talent and a commitment to learning an instrument. The fund also aims to address the imbalance in the middle ground between first access and high musical achievement.
The Royal Opera House
Havering is one of five music education hubs in the Thames Gateway that partnered the Royal Opera House. Initiatives included three-day Take Five Summer Schools open to 11-18 year olds at all grade levels. Students joined Royal Opera House artists and music hub professionals to explore Carmen, “Shakespere in Opera” and “The Seven Ages of Man” through ensemble playing and singing, intensive sectional rehearsals and creative sessions, culminating in a performance at the Linbury Studio.
Music Mark
The UK Association for Music Education is a charitable, independent organisation representing and supporting 99 per cent of all music services and more than 12,000 instrumental and classroom music teaching professionals.
Grand Union Youth Orchestra
London’s pioneering world music and jazz youth ensemble, brings together young musicians aged 12-26 with leading professionals in their field to explore major musical cultures. The orchestra offers free monthly master classes and workshops exploring musical styles from all over the world.
Jack Petchey Foundation
Established in 1999, the foundation aims to raise the aspirations of young people in the London and Essex areas, helping them make the most of opportunities to play a full part in society. Since its formation, the foundation has awarded grants totalling more than £85m.
Music for Youth
A national music education charity providing free access to performance and audience opportunities for young musicians across the UK.
National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
Formed in 1948, the National Youth Orchestra offers a platform for many of Britain’s best young musicians.
FutureDJs
Laying down a new beat for music in schools
DJ-ing and decks are on the National Curriculum. Now it’s time to get them into the classroom. But most schools are missing the skills to make it happen.
FutureDJs bridges that gap.
Royal Academy of Music
Britain’s oldest conservatoire trains nearly 700 students from more than 50 countries.
Junior Guildhall
At the heart of the performing arts in London, this famous conservatoire offers advanced music training for young people aged 8 to 18.