Instrumental Music Service

We offer tuition in small groups, subject to Government guidelines, in the early stages and some individual lessons with advanced pupils who are sitting examinations.

Lessons are free for pupils who receive Instrumental lessons in school settings.

In addition to term time tuition, we run a programme of Bands and Orchestras as well as non-residential weekend rehearsals and a residential course for our Senior Orchestra pupils. Please note that there is a charge for registration and course fees etc for Bands and Orchestras.

There are two String Orchestras and two Wind Bands which have 10 Sunday afternoon rehearsals in Bearsden Academy over the same period. In each orchestra/band there is a training group and a more advanced one enabling pupils to study a wide variety of music in many styles. These groups all have weekend courses and an Easter concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. For Secondary School pupils there is a Jazz Orchestra which rehearses on a series of Wednesday evenings in Lenzie Academy from October until Easter.

At the highest level is the Secondary Schools Orchestra which meets for a week-long residential course at the end of June, ending with a full symphony concert. At Christmas time, this orchestra joins with the members of the Primary Schools Choir, the Gaelic Choir from Meadowburn Primary School, pupils from Woodland View School, the EDC Pipe Band and the EDC Children’s Choir for a concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

The Choir meets on Sundays as above.  There is a non-refundable annual membership fee of £50.

There are over 1,400 pupils receiving instruction and about 500 of these take part in Council wide activities. Many schools have their own orchestras or wind bands. Many perform regularly in the community taking part in festivals, galas or church services and in fundraising activities.  Pupils can also join smaller groups or perform solo. 

Primary School pupils can join the Primary Orchestra or the Primary Training Orchestra, both of which rehearse over a weekend in April, culminating in performances of the music they have been studying. Auditions for the Primary Orchestra will take place mid-January 2026 – a minimum standard of ABRSM Grade 1 is required.

For more information on the Instrumental Music Service, visit the Instrumental Music Service website.