About Kingston Music Service

Kingston Music Service (KMS) offers a range of music activities for young people and adult learners at home, in school and at four music centres across the borough. KMS is a Local Authority service and, as a member of South West London Music Ltd, receives core funding from Arts Council England. Working with various partners, KMS endeavours to create joined up music education provision in the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.

What we offer in schools

We provide individual instrumental and vocal tuition in primary and secondary schools across the borough. We also offer whole class instrumental tuition in partnership with a number of local schools. Provision varies according to our arrangements with each school so see our music lessons in schools page to find out what’s on offer. We offer training to schools who run their own class instrumental tuition and support all schools with regular CPD sessions.

What we offer at our music centres

We have music centres in Coombe, Kingston, Tolworth and Hook. These operate after school and on Saturday mornings, with some adult tuition available. At these venues we offer a wide range of activities including individual and small group lessons; theory and ensemble activities including bands and orchestras.

What we offer online

For those wanting to learn from the comfort of their own home, we provide a range of online lessons. As well as individual lessons, we also offer family lessons where adults and children learn an instrument or take singing lessons together.

What else we offer

We operate an instrument hire service, have a recording studio available to hire at the Hook Centre in Chessington.

Work for Kingston Music Service

All freelance tutor vacancies are posted on the Music Mark jobs website, on our social media channels and on our recruitment page

Any management or support hub roles will be publicised on the RBK website.

Volunteer

We are always very keen to hear from people who are interested in volunteering to help with KMS activities:

Duke of Edinburgh Award: We are very happy to hear from musical students who are interested in volunteering to help one of our ensembles. Volunteers would assist the ensemble director, help with set up, play amongst the ensemble supporting members with things such as notes, fingering, phrasing, keeping in time, etc. They should be of a good standard on their instrument, a current KMS student and be able to commit to helping on a weekly basis.
Interested students should email greg.emfietzis@kingston.gov.uk

Parent Assistance at Concerts and Events: We would love to hear from KMS parents (or extended family) who are happy to help us put on our concerts and events. This could be organising refreshments in an interval, helping us look after students during rehearsals/concerts (DBS needed) or fundraising for the KMS Bursary Scheme. KMS is committed to safeguarding its student body and references and checks will need to be undertaken before engaging volunteers.
Please email your interest to greg.emfietzis@kingston.gov.uk

South West London Music Education Hub

Kingston Music Service is a member of South West London Music Ltd, who is the Hub Lead Organisation of the South West London Music Education Hub. This group of organisations including schools, other hubs, arts organisations, community or voluntary organisations, working together to create joined-up music education provision, respond to local need and fulfil the objectives of the Hub as set out in the national plan for music education. As a lead partner of South West London Music Education Hub, KMS works in partnership with the following organisations in addition to local schools:

• Arts Council England
• Creative Youth
• Rose Theatre
• Kingston University
• Monkey Music
• Community Drumming
• All Saints Church
• Achieving for Children
• Oompah Brass

KMS is a member of the UK Association for Music Education - Music Mark - and SWL Music Ltd

Visit our Music in Kingston site, were you can find lists of ensembles, choirs, events and lots more in the borough.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Kingston Music Service is committed to  a variety of diverse and cultural musical experiences that are reflective of the children and young people we serve. Read our EDI Strategy and Action Plan.