Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Sir Caerdydd a Bro Morgannwg

Music Service Gwasanaeth Cerdd

The Friary Centre, The Friary, Cardiff CF10 3FAY Ganolfan Friary, Y Friary, Caerdydd CF10 3FATel: Tel: 029 2064 0950/1 Ffôn: 029 2064 0950/1

Fax: 029 2066 6593F-facs: 029 2066 6593

E-mail: E-bost:

Welcome to Singing Lessons! Your child’s learning and how you can support.

Dear Parent / Carer,

Your child has chosen to take singing lessons. This is a wonderful opportunity for your them, one which, if pursued will lead to a range of exciting opportunities not only in school, in County Music Groups, and in later life, as well as helping them to develop their all-round educational skills.

Singing has been proven to help a child with their

  • memory, concentration and learning skills
  • social skills
  • coordination
  • multi-tasking
  • learning to work as part of a team
  • confidence and self-esteem
  • learning in other school subjects, particularly English and Maths

This has been proven in recent world-wide studies. In addition, the Music Industry is now one of the largest employers in the UK and accounts for over 6% of the GDP.

The members of the CCVG peripatetic team would like to offer some advice to help your child to make the most of the opportunity and enjoy the experience.

Practice and encouragement – essential!

Few parents are able to help their child directly with singing (if you can, that’s great!)

The most important thing you can do is to find a convenient time and place for your child to do some regular practice. To begin with, 10 to 15 minutes practice a few times a week is enough to make progress – this amount will really make a difference. Practice is best done away from the TV, computer or other children (although singing is a wonderful group activity). You shouldn’t need to sit with your child, but it is useful to ask them what they are going to practise, and if possible listen to something that is being learnt at the end of the session.

Work will almost always be set by the teacher at the end of each lesson – either verbally or written down in the child’s book or school diary. If your child is not certain what to practise, then the work done in the last lesson can be re-visited. This may help to get them started and to refresh the memory. The following prompts may help to recall instructions given during lessons;

  • have they warmed up their voices with appropriate exercises/scales?
  • how should your child be sitting/standing (ie do they have good posture)?
  • are they secure in the correct pronunciation of different languages?
  • do they understand the song and can they communicate its meaning?
  • do they enjoy the different styles of songs (ie repertoire)

After Autumn half-term, your child will be given a TARGETS FORM by their instrumental tutor, which will set out what they are expected to achieve by the end of the academic year, based on their ability. Please go through this with your child.

Using the Internet and Apps as an aid to learning

There are teaching tools available to pupils/parents/carers who have Internet access. You Tube offers a vast bank of varied and interesting performances of all music types, and can aid with learning. Later on, exam pieces are easy to find, and help with aural tests is also available via dedicated apps.

Joining in – school and county groups

Encourage your child to take part in a group activity. Some schools have choirs which your child can join or will be required to audition for. These groups add an extra dimension to the lessons and practice, are sociable, increase your child’s knowledge and improve listening and reading skills.

CCVG Music Service runs a multitude of groups and projects which provide wonderful opportunities to sing with other youngsters, meet children from other schools who share a similar interest, and perform in wonderful venues such as St. David’s Hall. The importance of learning to perform with other children cannot be emphasised enough. There are county vocal groups specific to the standard of your child’s ability which meet weekly at the Friary Centre in Cardiff. For full details of choral ensembles, please visit our website:

Staying the Course

Singing is not always as easy as it first appears! It may take some time for your child to become proficient to a certain standard. Please encourage your child to stick at it through the “hard times”. These may happen, for example, after the school holidays, or if learning repertoire with a specific goal in mind. A full year of lessons will allow your child to realistically decide whether singing is for them.

Your child will need help and encouragement every step of the way. However, a musical education will give your child an enjoyable set of skills which will be of lifelong use. Music provides an enriching experience, a positive impact on a child’s social skills and social life, stimulates the brain in unique ways and promotes good mental skills.

Singing brings a deep sense of joy and adds another dimension to life.

Head of Service: J. V. Davies, B. Mus. (Wales), L.T.C.L.