Dorset Music Service

What we offer

Schools, Settings & Early Years

Support and resources for your school or setting

Parents and Carers

Support for your child's musical journey

Young People

Find out about musical opportunities for young people

Performances, events, and opportunities

Find an activity, event or musical group

Instrumental Learning

Find support for your musical journey

Musical Inclusion

Support for musical learning for everyone

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Dorset Music Service

1 day ago

Schools and music education settings - Help Shape the Future of Music Education in Dorset & Somerset! Octagon Music Hub has launched a set of stakeholder surveys to help inform the future direction of music education and creative opportunities for children and young people across Dorset and Somerset. These surveys are a vital part of ongoing work to ensure that decisions are needs-led, evidence-based and shaped by the voices of those who learn, teach, support and deliver music across our communities. Please complete the short survey using the link or QR below. All responses will be handled in line with data protection requirements. buff.ly/hgHWcDi ... See MoreSee Less

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Dorset Music Service

3 days ago

Music Education Organisations - Help Shape the Future of Music Education in Dorset & Somerset!Octagon Music Hub has launched a set of stakeholder surveys to help inform the future direction of music education and creative opportunities for children and young people across Dorset and Somerset. These surveys are a vital part of ongoing work to ensure that decisions are needs-led, evidence-based and shaped by the voices of those who learn, teach, support and deliver music across our communities. Please complete the short survey using the link below. All responses will be handled in line with data protection requirements. forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=BvYktXr3okqNov5wNDsMzqxEQOG-9iFBvorPcm4XLbpUMEg3UTlRT... ... See MoreSee Less

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Dorset Music Service

1 week ago

🎶 DMS is launching the Accessible Instrument & Technology Library! Schools can now hire a wide range of accessible, adaptable instruments—helping every young person make music in ways that suit their abilities and interests. Teachers can also access tools and tech to support inclusive classroom and instrumental teaching. Learn more: www.dorsetmusiconline.co.uk/site/schools-and-settings/support-for-schools/accessible-instrument-a... ... See MoreSee Less

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Dorset Music Service

1 week ago

If you’re looking for instrumental lessons for your child, we currently have a limited number of spaces available with our brilliant music teachers. Lessons can begin at any point during the term, or your child can start with a trial lesson to see if it’s the right fit. Venue for lessons: Parkstone Grammar School. As we all appreciate, an instrument offers enormous benefits, from developing musicianship and confidence to enjoying the social side of music-making through ensemble opportunities. Applications are also welcome for ensembles, but starting next term.If you’d like to find out more, feel free to get in touch at poolesym@gmail.comFinancial support is available for low income families from SoundStorm Music Education Agency access fund, who also support the Monday Academy. @top fansDorset Rural Music SchoolLove It LocalBroadstone Community Group (Politics free)Oakdale Community Group, Poole, DorsetLove PooleBroadstone & Corfe Mullen Community GroupBroadstone & the Local CommunityDorset Music Service ... See MoreSee Less

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Dorset Music Service

3 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

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Dorset Music Service

3 weeks ago

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

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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

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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

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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

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Dorset Music Service

3 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

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Dorset Music Service

3 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

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Dorset Music Service

3 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

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Dorset Music Service

3 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

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Dorset Music Service updated their profile picture.

3 months ago

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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

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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

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Dorset Music Service

4 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

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Dorset Music Service

4 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

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Dorset Music Service

4 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

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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

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News

Octagon Music Hub Stakeholder Surveys are live!

Help Shape the Future of Music Education in Dorset & Somerset Octagon Music Hub has launched a set of stakeholder surveys to help inform the future direction of music

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

Dorset Music Service

What we offer

Schools, Settings & Early Years

Parents and Carers

Young People

Performances, events, and opportunities

Instrumental Learning

Musical Inclusion

In the Dorset area