Back in November, SIPS Music and Arts Service worked in partnership with MAC Makes Music Birmingham, on a project to explore the songs and musical cultures of the children and young people at the STEPS Centre in Sandwell. (Sandwell Transitional Educational...
STEPS Songbook – Working with the LACE Virtual School
Music and Pupil Progress at KS2
Is there a link between Music and Pupil Progress..? Introduction As an established and trusted service, SIPS Education - Music & Arts Service (SMAS) are privileged to be working in so many schools across Sandwell. There is no doubt that schools highly value our...
Pro Bassist Sandy Beales Inspires Young Musicians
Sandy Beales, bass guitarist touring with One Direction for over 4 years now playing with JP Cooper, delivered an inspiring afternoon with students from Q3 Academy, Hollylodge, Sandwell College, Shireland Collegiate and Wodensborough. Sandy told of how he came to play...
Cecil Aronowitz Viola Competition and Festival
We were delighted, back in October, to receive an invitation from Louise Lansdown, Head of Strings at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, inviting our viola players to attend the second Cecil Aronowitz Viola Competition and Festival. It was a rare opportunity and very...
Success in 2017 – Rockulele!
On Friday 9th June 2017 ‘Rockulele!’ took place at West Bromwich Town Hall. It involved around 400 children from 9 Sandwell Schools aged between 6 and 11 years old. Most were armed with ukuleles singing their hearts out and strumming in earnest over two concert...
National Success for Sandwell Young Musicians
We are proud to announce that a number of the young musicians from our central ensembles have been accepted on to programmes being undertaken by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 2018. Congratulations are due to the following musicians who will be part...
Plans for a Specialist Music School in Sandwell
City Learning Trust, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Sandwell Council announce consultation for a new specialist Music School "The City Learning Trust is consulting on their proposal to open a new specialist music school in Sandwell, West Midlands, in...
Amazing Ensembles!
What an amazing year it's been for our ensembles! There have been many rehearsals, numerous concerts, residential trips, gigs and even the experience of playing for Her Majesty the Queen (in the pouring rain..). We though we'd put a short slideshow here to...
Spring Concert Series
The Spring term culminated in some incredible performances from all of our Music Centre ensembles. It’s important that our young musicians have regular opportunities to perform to a live audience throughout the year and it’s always a pleasure for teachers, parents...
Plastic Fantastic – The pBuzz is here!
SIPS Music & Arts Service are excited to announce a new service that we are developing for Key Stage 1 classes – The pBuzz! More eye-catching than a recorder, lighter than a drum and easier to play than a xylophone – the brightly coloured, light, and smooth...
Our Summer Festival
Each summer we enjoy finishing off the academic year in style, with a week long festival of concerts and events that showcase hundreds of Sandwell's young musicians. We are now planning the festival for 2017, but as a reminder we thought you'd like to see some images...
