Teaching & Learning
Music Centres

There are six music centres across the city of Manchester with a long list of music styles available to learn about.

Membership to all of our centres is free!

Four school children in cowboy outfits in the audience at the Big Sing
boy pupil playing classroom
Explore our supplementary services
Music Centres

Select the dropdown and find out more about our 6 music centres

North Music Centre

North Music Centre

Address: Co-operative Academy, Manchester Plant Hill Road, Higher Blackley, M9 0WQ

Thursdays from 4pm – 7.15pm

A lively music centre for children and young people with beginner guitar, samba, wind, brass and string groups.

Come and join North Sings, a Junior and Senior Choir or try a Folk band session!

For the under 7’s we have got Polkadots and the 7+ can enjoy Ukulele or Recorder Club as an introduction to music-making.

South Music Centre

Address: Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 7SL

Saturdays 9am – 1pm

This music centre offers a wide range of musical opportunities including string ensembles, wind bands, guitar ensembles, and choir. There are lots of fun activities and tuition suitable for all ages and abilities.

For children aged 7 or under we have Polkadots music making sessions, recorder group, ukulele group and string / piano tuition.

For the over 7’s there are beginner to advanced level ensembles, an inclusive music making group and choir. We offer lessons on wind, brass, strings, guitar, ukulele, drum kit and piano. Theory and aural tuition is also available.

East Music Centre

Address: The East Manchester Academy, Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, M11 3DS

Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm

A vibrant music centre for ages 7+. Come and learn to play guitar or ukulele, join a rock band or a wind band, find out what music production is about, learn to play violin or a samba groove!

Central Steelpan Music Centre

Address: St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Withington Road, Whalley Range, M15 8FQ

Tuesdays 5pm – 7.30pm

We Can Play! Steelpan welcome new players as well as children who are already playing steelpans in school. We Can Play! Steelpan will run during the Autumn and Spring Term, thereafter, and upon regular attendance, the session will be merged and the children will be invited to join the Manchester Junior Steelpan Orchestra.

Manchester Youth Steelpan Orchestra (MySteel) is open to intermediate and advanced steelpan players. Last year’s performance opportunities included i.e. performing at the Stoller Hall and the Manchester Caribbean Carnival. MySteel plays a wide range of music, developing ensemble skills in a friendly environment.

5.00pm-5.30pm       We Can Play! Steelpan

5.30pm-6.00pm       Manchester Junior Steelpan Ensemble

6.00pm-7.30pm       Manchester Youth Steelpan Orchestra

 

Irish Music Centre

Address: St Mary’s RC Primary School, Clare Road, Levenshulme, M19 2Q

Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm

This vibrant and exciting music centre is for students interested in learning and playing traditional Irish music.

We teach a range of instruments including tin whistle, pipes, banjo, guitar, fiddle and accordion. Students play together in bands

 

Activities Timetable

6.00pm – 6.30pm
Tin Whistle Level 1, age 7+
Irish Ensemble Level 3

 

6.30pm – 7.00pm
Keyboard Ensemble, age 7+
Irish Ensemble Level 1

 

7.00pm – 7.30pm

Tin Whistle Level 2
Strings Ensemble
Percussion Level 1 & 2 – Cajon

 

7.30pm – 8pm

Irish Ensemble Level 2
Strings & Keyboard Ensemble
Percussion Level 1&2 – Bodhrán

North Steelpan Music Centre

Address: Co-op Academy North Manchester, 300 Victoria Ave East, Manchester, M9 7SS

Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm

Manchester Junior Steelpan Orchestra welcome new players as well as children who are already playing steelpans in school. Manchester Youth Steelpan Orchestra (MySteel) is open to intermediate and advanced steelpan players. MySteel plays a wide range of music, developing ensemble skills in a friendly environment.

 

4.00pm – 5.00pm Manchester Junior Steelpan Orchestra (Level 1& 2)

5.00pm – 6.00pm Manchester Youth Steelpan Orchestra (Level 3)

North Music Centre

Thursdays from 4pm – 6pm

A lively music centre for children and young people with beginner guitar, samba, wind, brass and string groups.

Come and join an inclusive music making group, sing with North Sings or try a music production session!

For the under 7’s we have got Polkadots, Ukulele and Little Notes Club as an introduction to music-making.


Address:
 Co-operative Academy, Manchester Plant Hill Road, Higher Blackley, M9 0WQ

South Music Centre

Saturdays 9am – 1pm

This music centre offers a wide range of musical opportunities including rock & pop bands, wind bands, ukulele group, string ensembles, choir and orchestra. There are lots of fun activities and tuition suitable for all ages and abilities.

For children under 8 we have Polkadots music making sessions, recorder group, ukulele group and string / piano tuition.

For the over 7’s there are beginner to advanced level ensembles, an inclusive music making group and choir. We offer lessons on wind, brass, strings, guitar, ukulele, drum kit and piano.  Theory and aural tuition is also available.


Address:
 Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 7SL

East Music Centre

Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm

A vibrant music centre for ages 7+. Come and learn to play guitar or ukulele, join a rock band or a wind band, find out what music production is about, learn to play steelpans or a samba groove!


Address:
 The East Manchester Academy, Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, M11 3DS

Central Music Centre

Tuesdays 4pm – 7.30pm

Central Music Centre is home to the Manchester Youth String Orchestra and the Manchester Youth Steel Orchestra and community groups. Manchester Youth String Orchestra is open to anyone aged 11 – 18 who plays a string instrument at Grade 4 level or above.

Manchester Youth Steel Orchestra has two junior bands and a community band. We welcome new players as well as students who are already playing steelpans in school to come and enjoy being part of one of our exciting groups.

There is no entry audition for these ensembles. We play a wide range of music, developing ensemble skills in a friendly environment.


Address:
St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Withington Road, Whalley Range, M15 8FQ

Irish Music Centre

Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm

This vibrant and exciting music centre is for students interested in learning and playing traditional Irish music.

We teach a range of instruments including tin whistle, pipes, banjo, guitar, fiddle and accordion. Students play together in bands and can also join the Celtic rock group.


Address:
 St Mary’s RC Primary School, Clare Road, Levenshulme, M19 2Q

 

Activities Timetable

6.00pm – 6.35pm
Beginner Tin Whistle, age 7+
Beginner Ensemble, age 7+
Celtic Rock Band (Level 2)

6.40pm – 7.15pmTin Whistle (Level 2)Beginner Guitar, age 7+Intermediate Ensemble (Level 2)

7.20pm – 7.55pmAdvanced Ensemble (Level 3)Advanced Guitar

Kalinka Music Centre

Mondays from 5.30pm

The Kalinka music centre welcomes anyone who already plays Balalaika or Domra as well as complete beginners who are interested in learning about Eastern European music and culture.

Kalinushka is a beginner ensemble that offers a group learning environment for new players to join and develop their balalaika and domra skills. Kalinka is the intermediate / advanced ensemble.

Drop in for a taster session – we also invite parents and carers to have a go and join an ensemble.


Address:
 Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 8BF

North Steelpan Music Centre

Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm

A new music centre for children and young people interested in playing steelpans and percussion.


Address:
Co-op Academy North Manchester, 300 Victoria Ave East, Manchester, M9 7SS

4.00pm – 5.00pm MySteel (Level TBC)

5.00pm – 6.00pm MySteel (Level TBC)

Music Lessons at Centres

One Education Music offer a wide range of instrumental tuition and ensemble activities taught by specialist One Education Music instructors. We offer instrumental/vocal tuition across a range of genres and instruments, cultivating talent, skills and a lifelong love of music.

The tuition available will depend on the centre your child attends. To support children and young people’s instrumental tuition, Music Theory / Aural sessions are also available to sign up for.

For more information and tuition fees please read our Music Centre Enrolment and Pricing Information and Terms and Conditions – Direct Billing Schools & Centres (Parental)

Music Centre Enrolment

Membership for all Music Centres remains free this year and all Music Centre ensembles (applicable for 7+) are free to join. Before enrolling your child, please ensure to read the Music Centres Enrolment Information and Safer Centres Policy

Why attend a music centre?

Music Centres offer opportunities to develop musical skills and talents in a collaborative environment.

We encourage social networking in a safe place and provide regular performance opportunities throughout the year. Making music with other people in a group or band or orchestra is fun, a good social experience and often the start of a lifelong interest.

Photo by Clare Wells

Our Partners

Young Sounds UK

Young Sounds support talented young people from low income families, helping them to overcome financial and social barriers. Supporting musicians from across the UK to fulfil their musical potential.

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Arts Council

Arts Council England champion, develop and invest in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. They support activities across the arts, museums and libraries.

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Family Arts Standards

The Family Arts Standards are helping families to find arts activities that are suitable for all ages; they cover the basic considerations for families visiting an arts experience.

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