Eight hundred pupils across Gwynedd and Anglesey have signed-up to receive their music lessons on-line with the local schools’ music service.

Lockdown has brought many challenges – forcing everyone to think creatively about how to keep working, learning and interacting with each other. This is just what Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Môn has done by taking their usual face to face music lessons online.

Tudur Eames, Manager of the service, explains: “When school closures were announced it seemed inevitable for a while that our lessons would also have to stop. But with the help of Gwynedd and Anglesey local authorities we managed to get back up and running quite quickly to provide our usual instrumental and vocal lessons via Zoom and other similar platforms.

“Feedback so far has been really positive – many parents telling us the lessons have meant their children have been able to continue to practice their music skills. But also, importantly the lessons have provided some stability for pupils during such uncertain times, with lessons giving their week some structure.”

Talking about the on-line session one parent said: “The lessons have been fantastic. As well as being able to continue with her harp lessons it has given my daughter a focus during these difficult times. It’s been great for her to have contact with her tutor every week and a sense of normality when everything else seems to be on hold.”

Tudur added: “Out tutors also face difficult times – continuing to work in this way has also given them some certainty as well. Even if schools are back in September, we have to face the fact that the music service may not be allowed to return to face to face teaching for a while so it is extremely important that we are flexible and can adapt. Providing on-line lessons during lockdown is a first step.”

Since 1996 Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Môn has been providing music lessons in schools across both counties. The service has over 50 tutors who provide tuition in all instruments as well as voice coaching. The service’s tutors teach in 150 schools - with many of these now signed up to the new on-line lessons.

Anyone wishing to enquire about on-line instrumental and vocal lessons can contact the Music Service by emailing Tudur@cerdd.com or phoning 01286 685289.

Ends 25.6.20