Music Clubs
‘It’s (Upton Junior School) strengths lie in a wide range of enrichment opportunities, especially through the recognised excellence in sporting activities and music provision’
Ofsted
Here at Upton, we have plenty of After-school and lunchtime clubs for budding musicians! Some clubs have entry requirements, so please read the detail carefully before signing up. Not all clubs can be signed up for via the MCAS app.
All after-school music clubs finish at 4.30pm.
Except for choir, all children need to be collected from the gate by the swimming pool entrance. Choir children are collected from the gate leading to the main playground.
Monday – Rock Band
Starts back 2nd Week of Summer Term 1.
This club is entry by audition only and cannot be signed up for on MCAS. Spaces are limited, and currently we are only looking for guitarists and vocalists. To audition, children need to prepare a short piece of music. Vocalists can sing unaccompanied or with a backing track. Guitarists can prepare a short piece of strumming or a solo. Guitarists need to have had experience on the instrument and preferably lessons.
The current Rock Band is full for this year but new members will be auditioned in the Summer Term!
Tuesday – Choir
Starts back 2nd week of Summer Term 1.
We have spaces in all year groups, although Y4 is near capacity. To audition, children need to prepare a short unaccompanied song to sing. Simplest is always the best! Pop songs are not always a good idea, since these often do not show children’s voices to their potential. A song sung at their previous school is always a good idea.
We now have some spaces in the choir and will hold an auction in the Summer Term. Watch the Blog and Newsletter for detail!
Thursday Morning! – Ukulele Club Starts back 2nd Week of Summer Term 1.
For early bird musicians who wish to play the Ukulele! The only requirement for this club is that children must own their own ukulele. After the club finishes children then leave to join their class for the day.
If children are already members, they have a guaranteed place. If they do not wish to continue this year, please email me to allow another the opportunity.
To sign up, use the MCAS app. Spaces are limited.
Thursday – String Group (run by Mrs Nunn from Kent Music with Mr Langridge) Starts back 2nd Week of Summer Term 1.
This club is open to any child wishing to learn how to play bowed string instruments. No prior experience is necessary, although it is beneficial. Children will use a school violin for the sessions but unfortunately, we do not have the facility to allow these to be taken home.
Those who are already members already have a place and do not need to apply. If your child has a place from last year and does not wish to continue, please contact me via email so that the place can be given to another child.
Please use the MCAS app to sign up. Spaces are limited.
Friday – Recorder Sprinters Club
Starts back 2nd Week of Summer Term 1. This recorder club is open to any child who owns their own recorder and has had a least some experience (for example, can play B, A or G from memory). There is a lunchtime club for total beginners and Year 3 are taught the recorder as part of their class lessons.
Those who are already members are guaranteed a place and do not need to sign up. If your child does not wish to continue, please email me to allow others an opportunity.
Sign up using the MCAS app. Spaces are limited.
Lunchtime Clubs!
All lunchtime clubs begin at 12.30 and take place in the Music Room. All children participating need to have early lunch – 12.15 and then come to the Music Room.
Monday – Recorder Karate Club! – 12.30
For total beginners, who do not necessarily own their own recorder. Any year groups! Children learn the basics of recorder playing in a little more detail than in class sessions and work towards earring belts, as they progress, similar to the Karate system and is an ideal preparation for the Recorder Sprinters after-school club.
Sign up using the MCAS app.
Tuesday – Boomwhackers - until the end of Summer Term
Open to all – Have fun with this dynamic tuned percussion instrument!
Sign up using the MCAS app.
Wednesday – Percussion Club -12.30. Run by Graham Smith from Thanet Drum Tuition
A brand-new club opening up the world of percussion. I guarantee this will be fun! Open to all. No instruments needed, just a sense of adventure.
Sign up using the MCAS app.
Thursday – Upton Pirate Folk Band – 12,30
Open to anyone who wants to sing/play in a folk band, sing shanties etc... – beginners or experienced players welcome. Beginners focus on singing and body percussion, but may progress to percussion instruments. Any instrumentalist is welcome, both reading and improvising musicians – but must have their own instruments (except experienced pianists or drummers).
Sign Up using the MCAS app.
Friday – Songwriters Club! – 12.30
Open to anyone wishing to write and record songs! We begin with rewriting know songs and progress to learning how to play simple keyboard parts and write songs to go with them! Only requirements are an imagination and a notebook!
Sign Up using the MCAS app.
Once a club is full, others who have signed up will be added to waiting list. Each year the waiting list from the previous year is cleared, so please don’t wait to apply for a place. Our lunchtime clubs are flexible. Depending on uptake, they may change during the year.
Well, that’s a lot to take in. I hope your child finds something to get involved in. Please don’t hesitate to email any queries, but all club applications must be through the MCAS app.
Mr L!
Pete.Langridge@uptonjunior.com
