South Staffordshire District
South Staffordshire District Council:
District Council commissioned Creative Industries Development report by Moya Lloyd July 2004
What's distinctive about music in South Staffordshire District?
- Locally based volunteer-run festivals are important in providing focal points for music and for the social coherence of their communities, while the V Festival is Staffordshire's largest such event.
- With a lack of specialist venues, community venues, churches and schools play an important part.
- Professional live music is small scale, to suit the venues; people travel to bigger centres such as Wolverhampton or Birmingham for larger scale music performances.
- The District includes Pendrell Hall, the County Council's residential centre for adult education which offers a range of music courses.
- Great Wyrley Community Band was formed in 2000 by two local teachers to provide a community based concert band (brass and wind) both for younger players still at school and more experienced players from the local community.
South Staffordshire District can be proud of:
- Amateur choral singing is well established in several villages around the District. The Chad Singers who meet at Pattingham Village Hall are a community choir open to all competent, adult singers and currently with a membership of about 50. Wombourne & District Choral Society, with over 100 members, has an active twinning arrangement with a choir in France.
Possible development areas:
- The role of volunteers in organising local festivals and other music activities is very important, and there may be scope for a development programme for local organising committees to be piloted in South Staffordshire that could then be rolled out elsewhere across the county. (This could also include local volunteers involved with Live and Local and Flicks in the Sticks touring schemes.)
- The role of music within the creative economy in this District could be further explored, perhaps linked to creative industries developments in Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
Interesting example of music activity locally:
- Spring Concerts are organised each year by South Staffordshire District Council in association with local host organisations, to provide high quality live, professional music performances for people who for a variety of reasons may find accessing professional concerts difficult. The Council co-ordinates the concerts, with local promoters responsible for putting on the event, promoting it and selling tickets. The concerts are performed by young professional musicians from the Live Music Now! scheme. Venues presenting events on the Spring Concerts tours include community centres, village halls, churches, an adult Day Care Centre, and sheltered accommodation centres.
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Community venues
Brewood Church (St Mary and St Chad)
Choral concerts
Haling Dene Centre
Penkridge
Jubilee Hall
Bargate Street, Brewood
Peace Memorial Hall
Penkridge
Perton Civic Centre
Church Road, Coleridge Drive, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7PD
Occasional gigs e.g. Talon - The Eagles Tribute Band; UB40 Tribute Band
http://www.pertonparishcouncil.gov.uk/events.asp
Shareshill Church (St Mary and St Luke)
Georgian Grade II listed church; regular concerts
Wheaton Aston Village Hall
Occasional live music e.g. organised by Wheaton Aston Festival
Live and Local
Venues presenting events on the Live and Local Touring Circuit (www.liveandlocal.org.uk) include:
- Acton Trussell and Bednall Community Centre
- Bobbington Village Hall
- Cheslyn Hay Village Hall. Tel. 01922 410483
- Codsall Village Hall. Tel. 01902 843412
- Coven Village Memorial Hall
- Featherstone & Hilton Community Centre
- Great Wyrley High School Theatre. Tel. 019228577030
- Pattingham Village Hall. Tel. 01902 700586
Spring Concerts
Spring Concerts are organised by the District Council in association with local host organisations, to provide live, professional music performances for people who for a variety of reasons may find accessing professional concerts difficult. The concerts are performed by young professional musicians from the Live Music Now! scheme. Venues include:
- Acton Trussell and Bednall Community Centre
- Brewood Church (St Mary's & St Chad's)
- Codsall Day Centre (Adult Day Care Centre)
- Coven Memorial Hall
- Essington Community Centre
- Haling Dene Centre, Penkridge
- Huntington Community Centre
- Kinver Community Centre
- Lupin Gardens, Bilbrook (South Staffs Housing Association Sheltered accommodation)
- Perton Civic Centre
- Pinfold House, Cheslyn Hay (SSHA sheltered accommodation)
- Trinity Methodist Church, Codsall
- Victory Hall, Lower Penn
- Wheaton Aston Village Hall
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V Festival
Location: Weston Park [and also concurrently at Hylands Park, Chelmsford]. At Weston Park since 1999, previously at Leeds and before that Warrington.
http://www.vfestival.com/
Staffordshire's largest festival; attendance approx. 80,000 in 2007. Next Festival is 16 and 17 August 2008.
Brewood Music Festival
Contact: via the website
http://www.brewoodmusicfestival.co.uk/
Every two years; next July 2008. Weekend of music to suit all tastes from Jazz to Classical set in the local pubs, clubs and in the church of Brewood.
Codsall Community Arts Festival
Contact through the website http://www.codsallartsfestival.org.uk
Amateur and professional events in biennial festival. 10 March - 27 March 2010. Venues include local churches.
Perton Music Festival
Launched 2005. Organised by Perton Parish Council
Wheaton Aston Festival
Contact: 10 Long Street, Wheaton Aston, Stafford ST19 9NF
Tel. 01785 840010
http://www.wheatonastonfestival.supanet.com/
A rural celebration of music, song and dance (next in May 2008)
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Butlers Bistro
Codsall
Tel. 01902 842720
Live jazz Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons
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Stagehands Music
28 High St
Cheslyn Hay
Walsall
WS6 7AB
Tel. 01922 419606
Buy on-line or in shop. Specialists in Vintage/Retro Guitars and Amps.
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M2 Studios (formerly Mad Hat)
The Upper Hattons Media Centre
Pendeford Hall Lane
Coven
Staffordshire WV9 5BD
Tel. 01902 840440
Fax 01902 840448
http://www.madhat.co.uk
E-mail: studio@madhat.co.uk
Digital recording studios with experienced engineers and producers over 25 years' experience. Logic Pro 7 and Pro Tools LE. Large control room and studio, countryside location. All genres of music.
Red Box Recording Studio
near A5
Mob. 07970 484227
E-mail: info@redboxsound.co.uk
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/redboxrecordingstudio
Redbox is owned and run by Brian Bannister and Tom Livemore; both have pedigrees as musicians / engineers and producers. Equipment includes ex BBC Allen & Heath 28 channel classic 70's mixing desk.
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Church bell-ringers:
Brewood: Church of Ss Mary & Chad. Practice night: Tuesday
Codsall: Church of St Nicholas. Practice night: Wednesday
Enville: Church of St Mary. Practice night: Monday
Kinver: Church of St Peter. Practice night: Wednesday
Lapley: Church of All Saints. Practice night: Thursday
Pattingham: Church of St Chad. Practice night: Monday
Pelsall: Church of St Michael. Practice night: Monday
Penkridge: Church of St Michael. Practice night: Tuesday
Shareshill: Church of Ss Luke & Mary. Practice night: Friday
Trysull: Church of All Saints. Practice night: Friday
Wombourne: Church of St Benedict. Practice night: Monday
Brewood Folk Club
Contact: Tony Barrett Tel. 01785 841 274,
or Will Morgan Tel. 01902 850 422.
Started 2002. The club's evenings encompass a range of musical styles, from traditional and modern folk music to blues and even some rock and roll. Our programme includes regular guests, singers nights and Charity Nights. Meets 8.30 every Thursday at Brewood Cricket Club, Four Ashes Road, ST19 5AA.
Brewood Singers
Contact: Mrs P Mumford
'Oakridge'
Tinkers Lane
Brewood
Staffordshire
ST19 9DE
Tel. 01902 850377
Mixed choir group (SATB), about 30 members, formed 1973, perform concerts and sing 'classic pops', traditional, stage, film, some religious and Christmas music etc. Musical Director David S Brookes. Practice Thursdays 8pm to 10pm at Jubilee Hall, Brewood)
E-mail: music-line@ntlworld.com
www.brewoodsingers.co.uk
The Chad Singers
Pattingham, near Wolverhampton
Contact: Kate Jones Tel. 01902 701433 http://www.chad-singers.co.uk
Formed in 2001 by the current Musical Director, John Fellows, the choir is based in the village of Pattingham. The group is a 'community' choir open to all competent, adult singers with a current membership of 50. The choir has a rapidly expanding repertoire - singing religious pieces to rock, Bach to the Beatles. Aims are two-fold - to provide music making opportunities in the local community and to raise funds for local charitable causes by performing at events. Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings at Pattingham Village Hall.
Great Wyrley Community Band
Concert Secretary Janet Johnson concertsec@gwcband.co.uk
Musical Director Vaughan Smith Tel. 01543 257535
http://www.great-wyrley.org.uk/
Local community based concert band (brass and wind), meeting on Tuesday evenings at Great Wyrley High School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Formed 2000
Jazz Club 90
Contact: John or Marie Howell on 01902 756158.
e-mail: jazzclub90@supanet.com
Website: www.jazzclub90.supanet.com
Based at the Harp Hotel, Albrighton. Mostly traditional bands - from as far as California and Australia on rather exceptional occasions! Sunday lunchtimes and Tuesday evening sessions.
Kinfayre Singers
Contact: Mrs Carol A Parrott
Piedimonte
Heather Drive
Kinver
Stourbridge
DY7 6DR
Tel. 01384 873632
Wide range of choral music. Mondays 7.30-9.30 at Methodist Church Hall, Kinver, Stourbridge
Kinver Light Operatic Society
Contact: Patricia Ann Williams
Denewood
67 White Hill
Kinver
DY7 6AP
Tel. 01384 878021
Operatic shows; plays and pantomimes.
Penkridge Folk Club
Contact Pete Tel. 01785 716082 or e-mail keen@bun.com
Meet Tuesday evenings at Haling Dene Centre
Society of Recorder Players (South Staffs Branch)
Contact Alyson Lewin Tel. 01785 840186
Meet afternoon of second Saturday in month at Haling Dene Centre
Trinity Methodist Church Choir
Histons Hill, Codsall
Contact: Mrs A.M.E. Ashfield
15 Broadway
Codsall
Staffordshire
WV8 2EL
Tel. 01902 844477
Rehearsals Fridays 8pm at Methodist Church. Adult mixed choir - mainly Sunday worship but some concerts
Wombourne & District Choral Society
Springdale Junior School,
Warstones Drive, Penn,
Wolverhampton
WV5 OLH Contact: Katherine Dixson (Secretary) Tel. 01384 878054
Ron Mottram at ronmottram@hotmail.com or Tel. 01902 343528.
Long established choir of 100+ singers. Musical Director: Ian Clarke. Many of the members come from the Wolverhampton area, the rehearsal venue is just within the Wolverhampton boundary but the Society performs in South Staffs and in Wolverhampton (needs access to larger venues). The Society has links with a choir from Orleans, France, with which reciprocal visits are arranged. Concerts at Christmas, Easter and summer; rehearsals Mondays term time Sept-July.
http://www.freewebs.com/wombournechoralsociety/
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Further education: none
Continuing/adult education:
Pendrell Hall
College of Adult Education
Pendrell Hall College, Codsall Wood, nr Wolverhampton WV8 1QP
Tel. 01902 434112 Fax 01902 434113
pendrell.college@staffordshire.gov.uk
http://www.pendrell-hall.org.uk/ (part of Staffordshire County Council's Adult and Community Learning Service)
Short courses (3/6 days, residential) e.g. recorder ensembles, music appreciation
Cannock Performing Arts Centre
Central Region Manager: Chris Stringer
Satellite Centres at:
- Codsall - rehearsals during term time at Codsall High School including Wind Band and String Ensemble.
- Wombourne - rehearsals during term time at Ounsdale High School including Wombourne String Ensemble.
- Kinver - rehearsals during term time at Brindley Heath Primary School including Kinver String Ensemble.
Great Wyrley High School is a specialist Performing Arts school
Ounsdale High School, Wombourne, is a specialist Arts school
Family Learning Opportunities include music events e.g. arabic drumming workshop. Recently acquired recording equipment funded by CLP (Community Learning Partnership).
http://www.ounsdale.staffs.sch.uk/
County Youth Service:
- Wheaton Aston Youth Centre took part in Bordermoves 2007.
- Centres also at Brewood, Codsall, Great Wyrley, Huntington, Kinver, Perton and Wombourne.
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Scott Adams
Penkridge
Tel. 01785 714210 or Mob. 0781 8647517
Guitar tuition
Mrs Sheena Al Alami B.Ed Music
Codsall WV8 2JP
Tel. 01902 840168
Mob. 07940 537232
Tuition in Flute, Singing, Piano, Keyboard, Recorder; Beginners to Advanced
www.musicteacher4u.co.uk
Mrs Mary Bamber GRSM LRAM(PfT) ARCM(PfP)
12 Manston Drive
Perton
Staffs WV6 7LT. Tel. 01902 752459
Tuition in piano and cello; pianist in chamber music and accompaniment
Julie Brammall BA
Perton Wolverhampton WV6 7SB
01902757274
Tuition in piano and keyboard, beginners to intermediate
Helen Cope
Cheslyn Hay
Walsall
West Midlands
WS6 7NZ
Mob. 07724342163
Tuition in keyboard; Beginners only
Anne Geoghegan
Penkridge
Tel. 01785 713419
Professional Singer/Musician
Paul Geoghegan
Penkridge
Tel. 01785 713419 Mob. 0774 812 8087 Fax: 01785 714475
Professional organist, available for Weddings, Funerals, etc.
Rob Grinsted
Essington Staffs WV11 2RF
Tel. 01922 710601
Tuition in piano, keyboard
Simon Lees
34 Strathmore Crescent Wombourne Wolverhampton Staffordshire WV5 9AS
Tel. 01902 896920
Mob. 07711 252784
Tuition in guitar, vocals, drums, bass; Beginners to Advanced; rock, blues, pop
Winner of Guitarist magazine's Guitarist of the Year 1998 and runner up in '93, '94 & '95
Alyson E. Lewin BA LGSM PGCE
The Hawthorns, Hawthorn Drive, Wheaton Aston, Stafford ST19 9NQ
Tel. 01785 840186
Specialist in recorder tuition, also flute piano and music theory; also lecturing on early music - presentations for school and adult groups.
Greg Lewin MA(Mus)
Brewood
Tel: 01902 850048
Mob: 07718 082150
Tuition in piano and keyboard; all ages beginners to advanced. Organist available for weddings and funerals.
Harvey Martin
Codsall WV8 1PJ
Tel. 01902 843396
Tuition in drum kit; Beginners to Advanced
Sarah Morgan
2 Charles Avenue, Essington, Staffordshire WV11 2TE
Tel. 01922 497111
Piano and singing lessons and theory of music.
Laura Thatcher
Simply Music Ltd
Essington WV11 2DF
Tel: 01922 496331
Mob: 07880 721944
Email: simplymusicltd@btopenworld.com
Piano, Keyboard & Theory Tuition. All ages. Beginners to Advanced. Experienced teacher. Keyboard Player also available for weddings and functions.
David Woodyer GTCL FTCL(Clarinet) PGCE
20 Waterdale Wombourne Staffs WV5 0DH.
Tel. 01902 892367 Email:
david@woodyer.claranet.comHead of Music Service, Wolverhampton Borough Council.
Mrs Lesley Woodyer GTCL LTCL(Pf) AMusTCL
20 Waterdale Wombourne Staffs WV5 0DH.
Tel. 01902 892367, Mob. 07984 455612
Piano tuition; Coaching for auditions etc; Chamber music; voice
Grade A Guitar Tuition
63 Littleton Cres, Penkridge, ST19 5BH
Tel 01785 712276
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EQ Studio
Contact: Peter Keenan
28, Heron Drive,
Penkridge
Staffordshire
ST19 5UD
Tel. 01785 716082 Mob. 07870147393
E-mail: starsongsuk@aol.com
Music production, songwriter promotion, mobile audio video recording, with own recording studio.
Ian Chapman
38 Spenser Avenue
Perton
Wolverhampton
WV6 7QQ
Tel. 01902 741058
E-mail: ianchapman@beeb.net
Composer. Studied composition at Birmingham Conservatoire. Interest in 'world musics' and 'community music'; developing a career as a community musician and composer. Also writes and performs for a modern 4-piece band and is a member of The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers.
Last Modified:
06/01/2010 13:07:54
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