This Black History Month, we’re thrilled to be offering Trafford schools specialist workshops led by a percussion expert, introducing children to the rich origins of African and Caribbean music. The sessions explore history and context, African vocal songs, and traditional stick‑passing games — giving students a hands-on experience.
To help schools celebrate throughout the month, we’ve also shared a Black History Listening Calendar, making it easy to enjoy and explore this vibrant music every day.
Our Black History workshops were so popular that they sold out within a single day! We’re already planning to expand the programme next year so that even more schools in Trafford can take part.
Black History Month
Click on the image to download the Black History Month Listening Calendar
In October, we were delighted to welcome the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to several local schools, giving children an unforgettable experience of live classical music.
The orchestra performed at Sale Grammar, with pupils from Lime Tree, Worthington, Park Road Sale, Woodheys, Brooklands, and Springfield attending. We were also pleased to welcome Councillor Karina Carter to the event.
Later in the week, the orchestra performed at Broadoak, with children from Our Lady of Lourdes, Partington Central Academy, and Forest Gate Academy joining the audience. We were also delighted to welcome Councillor Eve Parker, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture, and Heritage.
For some children, this was their very first experience of live music, making the visits an especially memorable and inspiring occasion.
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
visits local schools
We’ve introduced a Star of the Week trophy to celebrate students in our junior ensembles who embody our values of being supportive, inclusive, dedicated, and creative.
Winners not only take the trophy home for the week, but also receive a Trafford Music Service pencil case or music book bag as a special reward for their achievements.
Star of the Week
Jonny, our Wind Band Star of the Week, proudly showing off his trophy and pencil case.
Karina, our Intermediate Brass Band Star of the Week
Our brand-new Together Orchestra is now up and running — and it’s going really well!
Led by SEND specialists and created in partnership with Special Virtuosi, the Together Orchestra is an inclusive music-making group for children aged 7 and upwards with additional needs.
The group gives children the opportunity to experience the joy of playing music as part of an ensemble, even if they’ve never played an instrument before. Sessions are designed to be fun, creative, and supportive, combining group music-making with games, singing, and simple composition activities — all built around our value of being inclusive.
If you are interested in learning more about our Together Orchestra, email our inclusive lead, Kate Valentine.
Together Orchestra
Lovely feedback from a parent following a Together Orchestra session.
Parent Volunteers
Last year, we reached out to parents who were interested in supporting our ensembles — and the response was incredible! Many of our students’ parents are professional musicians themselves, and we are now fortunate to have several volunteers assisting with our high-level groups. Their experience and enthusiasm provide an amazing opportunity for our young players, and we are immensely grateful for their support.
Adrian Horn - Assisting our Philharmonic Orchestra with sectionals
Adrian is the Music Technology Specialist at Chetham’s School of Music, where he has worked for over 25 years. A versatile trumpeter, he has performed across a wide range of styles — from orchestras and big bands to Bavarian beer keller groups! After gaining his music degree, Adrian played professionally with bands on cruise ships and in theatres, though he now spends most of his spare time performing on soprano cornet in brass bands.
Adrian is also an arranger, with numerous published works for brass bands, smaller ensembles, and orchestras.
Peter Dunkley - Assisting our Intermediate Wind and Concert Band
Peter studied at the Guildhall and Royal Manchester Colleges of Music. After graduation, he embarked on a freelance career as a clarinettist, saxophonist, educator, administrator, and musical director — including a period with the orchestra of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Advanced studies led to extensive work in music education, culminating in Northamptonshire, where he served as CEO for the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust for over 30 years. As a conductor and coach, Peter has directed numerous award-winning adult and student ensembles throughout the UK and Europe.
Melissa Edwards - Assisting our Philharmonic Orchestra
Originally from Glasgow, Melissa came to Manchester to study cello at the Royal Northern College of Music. After graduating, she pursued a varied freelance career combining chamber music, teaching, and orchestral playing. In 2003, she was appointed Co-Principal Cello with Northern Ballet Theatre before joining the BBC Philharmonic in 2006, where she is still a member. Her two boys, Rory and Benji (now 15 and 12), have both played trombone and French horn in TMS ensembles since they were small.
Kevin Flynn - Assisting our Philharmonic Orchestra
Sally Anne - Assisting our Philharmonic Orchestra
Joanne Savage - Assisting our Intermediate Wind and Concert Band
Joanne grew up in Trafford and began learning the flute at Trafford Music Service, where she continued until she was 18. Alongside lessons, Joanne played in the Sinfonia Orchestra, Concert Band, and Philharmonic Orchestra. She went on to study at Lancaster University, achieving a BMus and later an MA in Music. Joanne has performed with many community orchestras and bands, including Trafford Light Orchestra, Hale Light Orchestra, Preston Concert Band, Longford Community Choir (as a flautist), and more recently Lymm Concert Band and Altrincham Concert Orchestra, where she currently serves as Chair and Librarian.
Joanne has four children — three have been part of Trafford Music Service, and two still are. She hopes her youngest will join when old enough. Joanne says she’s “excited to volunteer with the Centre — it’s a chance to give back all that was given to me and to support our young musicians of the future.”
World Nursery Rhyme Week
To celebrate World Nursery Rhyme Week, our Early Years specialist Jenny Davies will be running a series of fun and engaging Library Sessions across Trafford. These sessions are a fantastic way for little ones and their families to explore music, rhythm, and song together.
Session Dates:
Monday 11th November, 10:30 am – Coppice Library
Tuesday 12th November, 1:30 pm – Stretford Library
Wednesday 13th November, 10:30 am – Partington Library
Wednesday 13th November, 1:30 pm – Woodsend Library
Tuesday 18th November, 10:30 am – Timperley Library
Thursday 20th November, 10:30 am – Altrincham Library
For more information, please contact Jenny Davies.
Battle of the Bands
It’s that time of year again! After a record-breaking nine bands entered last year’s competition, we’re gearing up for another fantastic evening of live music.
The Trafford Heats will take place on Saturday 31st January at The Claremont Centre, where bands will perform 2–3 songs each in front of a live audience. The winning band will go on to represent Trafford at Band on the Wall in Manchester this March.
Tickets for family and friends will be available closer to the date.
For further information and how to apply, click here.
TMS Tutor Wins Best Musical Director Award!
We’re delighted to share that on Friday 29th August, at a glittering awards ceremony held at The Last Drop Village in Bolton, one of our tutors, Steve Sandiford, was voted Best Musical Director of a Youth Production 2025 for his work on SIX: Teen Edition.
Steve, who teaches vocals and directs bands for Trafford Music Service as well as working across schools in Trafford, led two casts of talented young actors aged 14–17, alongside an on-stage band of the same age group, in a vibrant production of SIX (Teen Edition) at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, during February half term.
The show was nominated for six awards in total — including Best Choreography and Best Overall Show — and went on to win Best Costumes and Best Musical Director. In his acceptance speech, Steve praised the young performers and musicians, saying they had been “a pleasure to work with” and had together created “a show truly worthy of its many nominations.”
A Global Stage for Saxophone: Alvin Wong at the World Saxophone Congress 2025
This summer, TMS tutor Alvin Wong had the incredible opportunity to take part in the World Saxophone Congress 2025 in Harbin, China — the largest international gathering of saxophonists, educators, composers, and students from around the globe. Invited both as a performer and composer, Alvin spent the week performing, attending masterclasses, and connecting with musicians from all over the world.
A highlight was presenting a concert titled Harbour Saxophones, showcasing music by composers from Hong Kong. Alvin performed with the Harbour Saxophone Collective, a group he co-founded, in their debut performance. He premiered two of his own compositions: Alien Fantasy, a jazzy and playful piece, and Concrete Forest, reflecting Hong Kong’s unique mix of tranquillity and urban energy. The programme was warmly received by an international audience, marking a special milestone in Alvin’s performing and compositional journey.
Another unforgettable moment was witnessing the Mi-Bémol Saxophone Ensemble from Osaka, Japan. Their astonishing precision and ensemble blending — making five saxophones sound like one — demonstrated how technical mastery enhances musical expression. Alvin also attended masterclasses led by world-class educators, which reinforced the importance of accuracy as a foundation for creativity, while highlighting the value of patient, adaptable teaching for learners of all levels.
Beyond the music, Alvin cherished the chance to connect with saxophonists and educators worldwide, building friendships and collaborations that extend across continents. Returning home, he feels inspired not only by the performances and learning but also by the sense of community and exchange that events like this make possible.
Alvin teaches woodwind, piano, keyboard and music theory classes for Trafford Music Service.