Our Year in Numbers
In memory of our much-loved Concert Band Director, Clive Gandee, we have introduced the Clive Gandee Dedication Award - an annual recognition for a student who embodies the values of our Music Service through their supportiveness, inclusivity, dedication, and creativity. This year, our ensemble leaders have nominated pupils who they feel have truly excelled.
Clive Gandee Dedication Award
Congratulations to Shaun Redford – Winner of the Clive Gandee Dedication Award
Since Mr Sandiford started conducting the ensemble in September 2024, Shaun has been a constant, dedicated member of the Concert Band. He is always positive in rehearsals, and is an excellent role model in the group, not only striving to improve his own and the ensemble’s standards (and taking pride in our performances) but also showing his commitment in other, more subtle ways - for example, helping set up the room (with a small group of fellow band members) for rehearsal every Tuesday evening (never having being asked to do so), and travelling across Manchester in order to perform with the Concert Band when double booked with a school concert. I am sure that Clive would have been very proud of the all-round musician and very personable young man that Shaun has become during his time with the Concert Band at Trafford Music Service.
Shaun with Bassoon tutor Helen Peller
New Ensembes for 2025-2026
Together Orchestra
Wednesdays 18:00 - 19:25
The Together Orchestra, in partnership with Special Virtuosi, is an inclusive music group designed for children aged 7-18 with additional needs. Whether your child is completely new to music or has experience learning an instrument, this group offers a supportive and enjoyable environment to make music with others. The weekly sessions are designed to be fun, accessible, and engaging, and will explore a variety of musical styles. Children take part in group music-making activities, develop their creative skills, and explore musical expression through games, singing, and composition.
Youth Jazz
Tuesdays 16:15 - 17:15
Mr Manunza, our Jazz specialist, is looking forward to welcoming beginners to Grade 3 for rehearsals from 16:15 to 17:15. Any young musician can join this ensemble as it is a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to the world of jazz music. Our new members will be introduced to a variety of techniques and stylistic practices associated with jazz including improvisation. Sessions are due to start in January 2026 and we’re more than happy for your child to come along for a free trial session in the new year. Those interested should join our waiting list.
ABRSM Exams
We are proud to announce that we are now an official ABRSM public exam centre, running exam sessions each term at the Claremont Centre. This summer alone, we hosted 13 full days of ABRSM exams.
It’s been a pleasure to offer regular termly exam slots for our students, and we fully intend to continue this provision going forward. So far this year, we’ve hosted nearly 1,000 exams at our centre this year alone!
One of the highlights of being an ABRSM exam centre is welcoming a diverse range of candidates, including those who may not be directly associated with the Trafford Music Service. It’s wonderful to open our doors to all music learners in the area and provide a professional, supportive environment for their musical achievements.
A huge well done to all the pupils who took their exams this summer. We hope your exam experience was positive, encouraging, and rewarding—and we look forward to supporting many more students in the future.
Music Production 2025 - 2026
Our current Key Stage 2 cohort has just wrapped up an action-packed year of music tech! Over the past year, they’ve explored a wide range of skills and creative projects - from remixing and sampling, to producing music for games and even coding their own games to match their soundtracks.
Following the success of our recent pilot scheme for Key Stage 3 students, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new KS3 course this September, complete with brand new equipment.
Sessions run on Mondays:
KS2: 16:00 – 17:00
KS3: 17:00 – 18:00
KS2 sessions are delivered on iPads and include exciting modules like Pop Songs & Loops, Superhero Soundtracks, Soundscapes, and Music for Games.
Our new KS3 course will be taught on brand new Macs using industry-standard professional software, offering students the chance to dive into more advanced production techniques and creative projects.
We still have places available for September, but these are filling up fast, so don’t miss out!
Visit our Music Production page for more information.
We were totally thrilled to welcome back Craig Ogden on Saturday 14th June to work with our Guitar Ensembles at the Claremont Centre again, following his previous visit last spring.
Craig’s knowledge and insight once again proved invaluable, and it was a very enjoyable morning all round! Alongside our regular ensemble members, guest students from both within and outside the music service were welcome to join as part of this special event. Craig was also generous enough to perform a piece himself for our students towards the end of each session, as well as answer any questions about the guitar, studying music generally, and what it’s like to work as a professional musician at the highest level.
The Junior Guitar Ensemble played Night Sky by Lee Sollory, whilst the Senior Guitar Ensemble looked at Cuban Landscape with Rumba by Leo Brouwer. Our Guitar Ensembles take part in the Trafford Music Service end-of-term concerts at the Stoller Hall and are led weekly during term time by Richard Haslam.
For more information on our guitar ensembles (including entry levels, rehearsal times, and signing up), see our ensembles page.
Craig Ogden Guitar Workshop
Teacher Spotlight; Musical Inspirations
We've been chatting with our amazing teachers about their musical inspirations, and each newsletter, we'll spotlight a different member of our team.
Next up is May Cheung! May teaches piano and violin at primary schools throughout Trafford as well as at our Centre in Sale. She’s also an essential member of our infant team and a fantastic accompanist for both our Junior Voices and Junior Strings ensembles.
My musical journey began at age six, and I've been fortunate to find inspiration at every stage. From performances and competitions to the numerous people I've encountered, my learning has been constantly enriched.
My teachers provided a strong foundation in musical technique, analysis, history, and aesthetics. The friendships I've forged in the orchestra have been invaluable, fostering a vibrant exchange of musical ideas, humor, and practical practice tips.
Participating in competitions has also been a significant learning experience, allowing me to learn from fellow musicians by appreciating their performances and striving together to connect with audiences through our music.
