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SATURDAY MUSIC CENTRE INFANT DEPARTMENT

A shorter morning of activities specially designed for infants is available, beginning with the Infant Music Kindergarten for Reception age children, which progresses through to Infant Musicians Full Membership.

Activities for our youngest pupils are built around:

• Singing – both unaccompanied and accompanied.

• Moving to music – beginning with free, expressive movement, gradually moving towards the more precise movement of singing games, dance and moving in response to the beat.

• Development of rhythmic skills – feeling the pulse through the games, stepping to the beat, stamping accent, clapping beat, rhythm patterns and echo-clapping patterns. Children will be encouraged to invent their own rhythm patterns, clap and play rhythm ostinati to familiar songs.

• Understanding opposites in music – e.g. pitch, high/low; pace, fast/slow; dynamics, loud/soft; duration, long/short sounds; texture, one sound/several sounds.

• Development of aural skills and musical memory – the ability to listen to music and to echo what has been heard.

• Development of listening skills in a happy disciplined environment.

• Beginning musical literacy – an approach that has been specially developed for the world of the young child.

Two types of Infant Membership are available:

Infant Membership Type 1:	Music Kindergarten Membership
Total Cost:	Price Band I
Music Kindergarten Membership includes: Access to the Music Kindergarten Class for Reception age children only. This consists of a 30-minute basic music skills class. September entry only.

At the conclusion of the Kindergarten academic year children move automatically into the Infant Musician Year 1 Class. In order to continue with the programme of activities for Infants, they may opt to take advantage of Full Infant Membership, which includes Infant Choir and tuition on an instrument subject to availability. At the end of Year 1 children automatically move to the Infant Musician Year 2 Class, and continue with Infant Choir and instrumental tuition.

Infant Membership Type 2:	Infant Full Membership
Total Cost:	Price Band J+K
Infant Full Membership includes: Infant Registration Membership which includes Infant Musicianship Classes and Infant choir Infant shared group of four instrumental lesson.
NB: if you wish to take instrumental lessons at SMC you must also book Registration Membership and take part in the appropriate programme of activities . Places for Infant Membership are limited and are subject to availability and waiting lists

Concerts:

Concerts are normally held twice a year and are seen as an important part of the Saturday Music Centre’s work. The Christmas Concerts take place in the Theatre of the Sixth Form College on the morning of the last Saturday of the Autumn term. The Queen’s Theatre is the venue for the Mid-Summer Concerts . All pupils are expected to take part.

Examinations:

Saturday Music Centre examinations take place at the end of each term.

Associated Board examinations are normally in the week before the last session of

each term. Trinity College examinations are taken at the Music Centre during the final week of the term. Entry forms must be completed and signed by the relevant tutor and a parent/carer, and must be returned to the Music School by the advertised closing date with a cheque for the correct amount (payable to ‘London Borough of Havering’).

Candidates requiring an accompanist will have two rehearsals arranged prior to their examination. The accompanist fee must be paid on entry.

Safety:

It is most important that all pupils and parents adhere to the safety rules as set out. This includes pupils signing in and out every week if they are staying on site, and wearing a Havering Music School wristband. The signing in register is displayed alphabetically on the notice board in the foyer of the Sixth Form College.

If there is a building evacuation, pupils should go to the member of staff displaying their surname initial to have their name checked. The muster area is the Car Park at the side of the Main Building of the College at the Upminster Road end. Fire drills will take place during the academic year.

Loan of Instruments:

There is a limited supply of Saturday Music Centre and Borough instruments available for short term hire. These are only available to pupils who are having instrumental lessons on that instrument with a Havering Music School teacher as part of our provision. Parent/carers will be required to complete a loan form to be kept at the Music Centre. Please note, parent/carers are responsible for the safekeeping of instruments and insurance against loss or damage should be taken out.

VAT-Free Purchase:

Instruments may be purchased through our VAT free scheme, subject to criteria. Please enquire at the Music School if you are interested in this.

Tuck Shop:

Parents run a tuck shop voluntarily as part of the ‘Friends of Havering Music School’. Parents are encouraged to sign-up as a volunteer by completing the forms issued with invoices each term. There is an official break from 10.25am to 10.35am when refreshments can be purchased and consumed. The tuck shop is very much valued as an integral part of SMC life, especially as it helps to provide vital equipment every year from the small profits made.

Fees:

Fees must be paid in advance and a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope must be sent if a receipt is required. Invoices for subsequent terms are posted at the end of each term. Please note that fees must not be sent until a place is offered and accepted.

Termination of Lessons:

If a pupil wishes to leave Saturday Music Centre, written notice must be given by the week before half term. (See ‘Term’s and Conditions’ as stated on the issued invoice.) This should be addressed to ‘ The Principal’ and marked ‘For the Attention of Mrs A Oddy’; address as above.

Failure to give adequate notice will result in the requirement to pay a termination penalty (normally equal to one third of the total fees due). Pupils will be expected to complete the term’s lessons. However, if they leave mid-term, those fees will be forfeited.