Dorset Music Service

What we offer

Schools & Settings

How the Hub supports musical learning

Making Music

Find an activity, event or musical group

Instrumental Learning

Find support for your musical journey

Resources

Find support to facilitate musical learning

Musical Inclusion

Support for musical learning for everyone

Training & CPD

Connect with local peers and national experts

Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

This sounds like an amazing event!Catherine Clark..our friend, celebrated writer, and mum to our Camerata cellist Ellen is presenting this special evening of words and music... a perfect spring date for the diary.We’ll remind you all nearer the time.. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

Amazing news from St Mary's CE Middle School, Puddletown! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

A wonderful evening in Swanage last night at The Mowlem Theatre with DYJO, Sound Cellar and special guest and workshop leader, Rebecca Nash.What a privilege to enable these opportunities for our young musicians in Dorset, and their festive jazzy grooves certainly got the audience in a celebratory and merry mood! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are calling out to musicians aged between 11-25 years old who may be interested in joining the Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble. They are hosting Open Rehearsals on Saturday 10 and Saturday 31 January 2026 from 1pm - 4pm at The Spire, Poole (BH15 1DF). These are great opportunities to watch a Bournemouth NOYO rehearsal, meet the Music Leaders and other local musicians, and ask any questions they might have before applying for an audition. Applications for regional auditions will be from Saturday 14 February to Tuesday 31 March 2026.For more information about the Open Rehearsals, please see below: NOYO's website - noyo.org.uk/come-to-our-2026-open-rehearsalsBSO's website - bsolive.com/projects/national-open-youth-orchestra/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

Explore digital music making and unleash your imagination with our Merry Mixers competition!Open to young people in years 4-8 that want to have fun and explore creative digital music making.This is your chance to shine and be in with a chance of winning a prize!We're looking for tracks on the theme of Christmas and/or 'celebration'. Closing date is Monday 12th January 2026. Use this link for more info - www.dorsetandsomersetmusichub.org.uk/site/merry-mixers-competition/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

West Dorset Community Orchestra are looking for new players, inc string players and particularly violinists.Please visit westdorsetmusic.org.uk/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

From Wessex Schools Music;National Children's Orchestras are coming to Dorset this Spring for a free, fun day of orchestral music-making in partnership with Wessex Schools Music. There is space for 50 young musicians from Dorset & Somerset to come and play with NCOs team of tutors and conductor Veronica Urrego. Children will also create their own piece of music as a group with trombonist and composer Richard Shrewsbury. The day will end with a short sharing for parents and carers . Orchestral Days are designed to support young musicians in the earlier stages of their playing, who are not already part of our auditioned orchestras. They are delivered around England for the children local to the venue by our friendly and experienced tutor team. They are free to attend and open to any young musician in years 4-9 (age 8-14) playing between grades 2-5 on traditional orchestral instruments. You don’t have to have taken grade exams or audition to join in.Traditional orchestral instruments include all strings, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn, cornet/trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion (If you play drum kit and interested in playing percussion with an ensemble then sign-up! We can support treble reading brass players, Euphoniums and Tenoroons to take part too) Date: 7th March 2026Time: 10am – 4pmLocation: Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester Sign up by Friday 5th December - nationalchildrensorchestra.beaconforms.com/form/572373b8Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis if we exceed the spaces available. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly office team info@nco.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

Dorset Music Service are delighted to share these two opportunities to develop your confidence in making music with young children. These opportunities are not to be missed and will fill you with inspiration, confidence, and enthusiasm to deliver high quality music making activities with the children you work with. Building Confidence using Music in Early Childhood - Led by Take Art.This course regularly sells out and is one not to be missed! A practical and interactive course is for anyone who wants to improve their skills and knowledge and connect to the joy of early years music.7.30 pm – 9.00 pm Mondays on 26 January | 2 February | 9 February | 2-week break | 2 March | 9 March | 16 March 2026Cost: £18For further information and to book go to the Take Art website. Developing musical opportunities with young children - Led by Cathy Murray on behalf of Dorset Music Service.This in-person 2 part course is designed to support Early Years practitioners in delivering high quality musical activity for young children. You will go away with a wealth of resources to enable you to take this straight back to your setting and start straight away!6.30 -8pm @ Sturminster Newton Exchange, Tuesday 10th February and Thursday 26th March. For further information and to book go to www.dorsetandsomersetmusichub.org.uk/site/music-educators-partners/training-opportunities-externa... For any questions about these courses please contact dorsetmusicservice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 months ago

So pleased and proud to share Dorset Music Service’s Music in Citizenship initiative alongside project partner Dr Tenley Martin from Leeds Beckett University at the national Music Mark conference this week.Pili Lopez and Tenley talked through the impactful relationship we have built with Dorset Council’s Educational Psychology team and the development programme delivered to our community of Emotional Literacy Support Assistants across schools.To quote Dorset’s own Billy Bragg, “empathy is the currency of music” and DMS is excitedly planning the next steps in supporting our young people’s positive wellbeing using the power of music!#MMConference25 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service updated their profile picture.

2 months ago

Dorset Music Service ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 months ago

Do you play bass guitar or double bass?Do you live in Dorset and want to discover more about jazz? Are you in full time education and under the age of 21? If so, come along for a free taster session with the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra! You don't need to know anything about jazz! Just come and play along, make new friends and discover the world of jazz!For more details, and to register your interest, visit www.dorsetmusicservice.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 months ago

We are excited and proud to share that the The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester have been shortlisted as finalists for the national Music and Drama Education Awards 2026 for Outstanding Music Department category. Thomas Hardye School are one of the Lead Schools for the Octagon Music Hub with a thriving music department offering GCSE and A level music. The department hosts over 200 weekly instrumental and vocal lessons and runs 13 weekly ensembles involving over 300 students. A fully deserving school who are winners already in our eyes! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 months ago

Do you live in Dorset and like jazz or want to discover more about it?Are you in full time education and under the age of 21?Do you play the trumpet or trombone?If so, come along for a free taster session with the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra!For more details, and to register your interest, visit www.dorsetmusicservice.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 months ago

Do you live in Dorset and like jazz or want to discover more about it?Are you in full time education and under the age of 21?Do you play an instrument?If so, come along for a free taster session with the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra!For more details, and to register your interest, visit www.dorsetmusicservice.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 months ago

A fantastic event from the Early Years South West Stronger Practice Hub. Come along to a practical session where we will look at the benefits of using music to support babies development. Join us as we explore how music is essential to human connection, how music can encourage early communication, and how music supports wellbeing and regulation. This hands on session will give you tools and ideas to use in your setting and inspire you to get creative. Use the link to book -us8.list-manage.com/survey?u=bbec643126697d1e2c747b730&id=7c1dd507a3&attribution=false ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 months ago

Children aged 7-12 years are invited to join the 'Fowl Play' samba group for this family-friendly workshop at Shroton, near Blandford Forum.To book a place, contact fowlplaysamba@gmail.com or hmalabar@hotmail.co.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 months ago

October is #blackhistorymonth, an event that has been taking place for more than 30 years. It should be a time to celebrate and learn about the achievements of Black Britons throughout history. It can also be an opportunity for us to stop and consider how we represent Black history, not just during October and not just in lessons, but throughout the year.Why not use the listening calendar and playlist to celebrate black composers and inspire and deepen your listening!Visit the Black History Month website ... See MoreSee Less

Black History Month 2025

www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Discover the pioneers celebrated during Black History Month 2025, highlighting achievements in literature, music, sport, business, academia, and more. Inspiring change and innovation.

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 months ago

The Thomas Hardye School is proud to reveal we have been awarded a position as a Lead School for Music in Dorset as welll as a Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition and Quality in Music Education. The Thomas Hardye School, Wessex Schools Music, Thomas Hardye Sixth Form ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 months ago

We are delighted to announce our 6 Lead schools for Music in Dorset. These schools have stepped up to support the Octagon Music Hub in delivering high quality music education for the children and young people of Dorset. We are so grateful for their support and dedication to improving musical outcomes for our young people and look forward to working with them across the academic year.Our Lead Schools are;Prince of Wales First SchoolThomas HardyeFerndown MiddleThe GryphonCoastland CollegeWestfield Arts AcademyLead schools are trailblazers in music education - not just participants. They are facilitators of the Octagon Music Hub’s vision and will help shape the future of music in schools by working alongside the Hub to inspire and innovate. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 months ago

Do you play the trombone? Do you live in Dorset and like jazz or want to discover more about it?Are you in full time education and under the age of 21?If so, come along for a free taster session with the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra!For more details, and to register your interest, visit www.dorsetmusicservice.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

News

We’re Launching our Accessible Instrument and Technology Library to Support Inclusive Music Education

Dorset Music Service is proud to announce the launch of its Accessible Instrument and Technology Library, a new initiative designed to give settings across the

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble – Open Rehearsals

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are calling out to musicians aged between 11-25 years old who may be interested in joining the Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble. They are

Merry Mixers competition

Join us for our Merry Mixers competition and showcase your digital music-making skills. Whether you’re a budding producer or a seasoned beatmaker, this is your

Dorset Music Service

What we offer

Schools & Settings

Making Music

Instrumental Learning

Resources

Musical Inclusion

Training & CPD

In the Dorset area