Mr Heron -

Music Service

I started off my professional life as a freelance cellist. I did this for 20 years and gained many valuable experiences. In 2010 an opportunity arose for me to join the ‘Music Service’ of the EA North Eastern Region. My title is ‘peripatetic string tutor’, with a special responsibility for the lower strings. I teach violin, viola, cello, double bass and a little guitar.

I teach 160 students in 13 schools Monday to Friday. I am also a lower strings helper with the EA North East Region Youth Orchestra which meets every Saturday morning.

During my time at the Music Service I initiated several one day courses for cello and double bass which I called ‘Spike People Choir’. This was a development of my own ‘Spike People’ courses I had organised as a freelancer. Many of the videos are available to watch on Youtube in the ‘Spike People Choir’ playlist.

I delivered a cello workshop for my colleagues in ‘The Braid’, Ballymena. We discussed cello ergonomics and posture and issues in some of the exam pieces.

I prepare students for grade exams at Christmas, Easter & Summer sessions. I deliver exams by ABRSM, Trinity, and Rockschool. I also prepare students for the Small Group Track exams by Trinity College, London, some of my student having obtained the highest marks in Northern Ireland. I have also prepared students for the ‘Northern Ireland Young Musician of The Year Competition’, organised by Comber Rotary Club.

I coach some students who want to compete for a place in ‘The Ulster Youth Orchestra’. Some of my Music Service students have gone on to study music at 3rd level, including The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, the University of Chichester and the University of Iowa, USA and Queens University, Belfast.

I enter some students for local music festivals. My students tend to do very well, including first place in solo, duo classes, as well as overall winner of the Ballymena Festival.

I believe it is important to create opportunities for students to gain experience in performing. To this end I created my ‘Stringtastic’ concerts. I hold them annually at the end of the Christmas and Summer terms. My students would typically prepare an exam piece. This gives them a ‘dress rehearsal for their exam. I also typically start and finish the concerts with a special ensemble piece. Sometimes I would specially arrange these. It includes all of my students, violin, cello, guitar etc.

In 2017 we did ‘Paperback Writer’ by The Beatles’. In 2018 we did ‘Black Betty’ by Caravan Palace.In 2019 we did Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny Be Good’. This is the highlight of the year!

Often parents are invited, P3’s, and sometimes the whole school! It gives the younger children an opportunity to hear stringed instruments, sometimes for the first time, and to consider it for themselves, and can then apply for a space in September