Teaching & Learning
Music Centres

There are seven 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!

Children in the audience at The Gallery music venue for the Sing Arounds.
Children's work displayed on the wall.
Explore our supplementary services
Music Centres

Select the dropdown and find out more about our 7 music centres

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 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.

Enrolments at music centres will open again in January.

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 Donald Judge

Photo by Donald Judge

Music Lessons

Developing children’s musical talent with vocal and instrumental tuition. 
We offer a range of instrumental tuition at our North and South Centres both individual and shared. 

Our Partners

Manchester Music Hub logo

Manchester Music Hub

MyHub want to inspire, facilitate and support the next generation to learn about, take part in and enjoy music and singing throughout their lives.

Arts Council England Logo

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.

Family Arts Standards Logo

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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