One of the most important aspects in the provision of music education is a commitment to live music and for Wakefield Music Services, live performance lies at the very heart of our outlook and ethos. Whether it be a class of children in their first term of learning the violin or sixth form instrumentalists preparing for exams, live music is inspiring, educational, entertaining and uplifting. For this reason, every term, all Music Services teaching staff take part in a series of short concerts, performing to schools across the Wakefield District.

The staff ensembles are broadly grouped into woodwind, brass and strings/guitar with percussion teachers spread across the three groups. The photos here show a concert performed by the Woodwind Ensemble to children at English Martyrs Catholic Primary School. Head of Woodwind, Roger Scorah comments, "Most children are used to listening to recorded music, but there is something special about hearing it live. For many children this will be the first time that they have heard some of these instruments and hopefully we'll inspire some of them into wanting to learn to play themselves."

Currently, five days of each year are set aside for Music Services staff concerts. If any Wakefield schools would like to request a live performance by one of the ensembles, please contact the Music Services office on 3306.