Music Tuition
How to start learning an instrument at Rockmount Primary School:
Useful links:
Getting Started
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Piano & drum applications: email the school office (office@rockmount.croydon.sch.uk) to be added to the waiting list. Piano and drum teachers will then make contact when a place becomes available. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, flute, recorder, acoustic guitar, electric guitar or bass guitar applications: apply directly to Croydon Music and Arts (CMA).
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Information about purchasing/hiring instruments. For instrumental lessons (apart from Rocksteady), pupils will be expected to have access to their own musical instruments, either purchased or hired. Instruments may be available to hire from Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) or from specialist music retailers where such services are offered. Peripatetic teachers and CMA can advise on suitable options.
Croydon Music and Arts (CMA)
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Hiring an instrument with Croydon Music and Arts (CMA): You can hire an instrument with CMA. Information and application forms can be found here.
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Instrument Assisted Purchase Scheme: Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) also offers an Instrument Assisted Purchase Scheme through which instruments can be purchased free of VAT. Please see the CMA website for further information and eligibility details.
- Learn with us: Here you'll find additional information on CMA centres and activities, how to join an ensemble, and after-school activities.
- Access Music Makers (CMA): Access Music Makers is for disabled and neuro-diverse young people in Years 5-9.
- CMA contact details: Email. musicandarts.education@croydon.gov.uk Tel. 0208 681 0909 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)
- Parents & Carers Hub: Find out how you can support your child’s journey.
ROCKSTEADY
Would your child like to play in their very own rock band? Rocksteady in-school band lessons are a fantastic opportunity for children to learn new skills, develop friendships and have the time of their lives. Rocksteady provides all instruments and equipment for use during sessions and concerts; however, instruments cannot be taken home.
- Rocksteady digital flyer (PDF)
- Watch a short video to see what learning in a band could do for your child’s well-being.
- Visit the Rocksteady website to find out more.
- Register your interest here and Rocksteady will contact you with further information.
STRUGGLING TO DECIDE?
Watch the short films below to help you choose an instrument:
- Trumpet or trombone? Choose between the trumpet or the trombone. Mr Hewitt-Brown and some of our Rockmount trumpeters demonstrate how fun it is to learn to play a brass instrument at Rockmount.
- Flute? Watch Mrs Humphreys and our Rockmount woodwind players to help you decide. UPDATE: currently only able to offer flute and recorder.
- Guitar? Acoustic, electric guitar or electric bass? You can learn to play classical or rock guitar – in fact, you can play any style you like! Take a look at some of our Rockmount guitarists...
Drum kit? Learning to play the drum kit is a lot of fun at Rockmount!
Violin? Or how about the violin?
Piano? Piano lessons are very popular at Rockmount!
Still not sure which instrument to learn? Watch some of the CMA teachers playing the different instruments to help you choose.
Weekly Instrumental Lessons at Rockmount
Mondays
Brass: Richard Deacon (CMA) - 8.45-10.30 (Starlight room)
Guitar: Alex Lockheart (CMA) – 10.30–3.20 (Starlight room)
Tuesdays
Woodwind: Naomi Deacon (CMA) - 8.45-3.20 (Starlight room)
Wednesdays
Piano: Joanna Berridge - 8.00-1.15 (Starlight room)
Drum Kit: Bobby MacPherson - 8.30-12.30 (Music room)
Thursdays
Piano: Joanna Berridge - 8.15-1.00 (Starlight room)
Violin: Jo Grainger (CMA) - 1.00-3.20 (Starlight room)
Fridays
Rocksteady - 9.30-3.00 (Galaxy room)
Piano: Eve Lambah - 8.30-3.20 (Starlight room)
We like playing instruments at Rockmount!
Pupil Voice
"I enjoy playing the trumpet because it's very fun and almost a unique instrument in my school. I feel very happy when I'm playing it. I also play in a band (with CMA) and band is really fun!"
Year 6 pupil
"I sing lead vocals in my Rocksteady band. I just love the feeling of being part of a band and making music as a team."
Year 5 pupil
"I like playing the flute because it's easy to learn and it makes a really good sound."
Year 3 pupil
"What I love about the saxophone is playing jazz music on it and having fun making up new music. It makes good jazz noises and it's good for pop music as well. It's very noisy...I think it blows out my mum's ears because it's very loud...I don't think my hamster likes it either...but I like it!"
Year 6 pupil
"The flute is hard to start off with, but then, once you get the hang of it, it's really fun and it's easy and you can just zoom through all the work."
Year 4 pupil
"The clarinet is really relaxing to play and listen to and I also like the sound. It's fun and I really enjoy playing clarinet." Year 6 pupil
"My favourite part of the concert was seeing how if you enjoy doing things like this, you can learn really quickly - so it means I could do it too! I thought it was very exciting seeing my friends perform and I felt proud that people from my class could do that."
Year 5 pupil (after watching a Rocksteady Concert)
Music Opportunities Outside School:
(NB. these organisations are not associated with Rockmount)
- BRIT kids BRIT Kids was set up by The BRIT School to offer Performing and Creative Arts classes to the local community on a Saturday. BRIT Kids is a place for children to explore their creativity, to challenge what they think the performing arts and creative arts can give them.
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Sound Steps Music One of London's biggest independent music schools teaching piano & keyboard to primary aged children.
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The Yamaha Music School The Yamaha Music School at Fairfield Halls offers courses for children aged 3 - 10 years old at the start of their course.