Beat goes on for Wolverhampton music school pupils with online lessons

With schools currently closed to the vast majority of pupils, the service has gone digital, creating over 150 tutorials posted online on its YouTube channel catering for all instruments and levels.

It is also launching #WMSHomeconcerts, putting together performances by pupils, teachers and alumni to broadcast on YouTube over the coming weeks.

Ciaran O'Donnell, head of Wolverhampton Music Service, said: "Our staff miss their children and the schools they work with, and we are doing all we can to help them continue to learn at home.

"There are now almost 160 online tutorials which are tailored to students of all ages and are proving really popular, and through our new #WMSHomeconcerts programme we hope to involve as many of our musicians as we can.

"We're starting with our Year 13 students which will be particularly poignant for staff as we probably won’t have a chance to say a proper goodbye to them this year.

"Naturally, we hope it won't be too long before we can work more closely once again with all our wonderful pupils and schools but, in the meantime, we are pleased that we are able to continue to support them all from afar."

In two weeks' time it will be hosting a ‘virtual’ version of its annual Singing In The Rain showcase, a celebration of the vocal talents of pupils in the city's primary and special schools which ordinarily would be held in Queen Square.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "It's great to see the creative ways that schools across our city are keeping in touch and supporting their pupils at this time.

"Music is a particularly important part of a young person's education, and our Music Service is doing all it can to ensure students can continue their learning journey – and showcase their talents – throughout the coronavirus lockdown."