Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands 2024

Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs are delighted to be working with R&K Systems and Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) to present this year’s Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands.

Bands and aspiring artists from secondary schools/settings across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay can apply to join us at one of our regional heats, where they will get feedback on their performance from music industry professionals. A selection of bands will be invited to the Battle of the Bands Final at Bomba, Exeter on Thursday 27 June 2024 and could win the chance to professionally record their music and perform at high profile festivals. Find our more about how previous Battle of the Bands events have benefitted participating bands here.

Please note that this form should be completed by a teacher from the school that band members attend on the behalf of the band applying. Ideally, we are looking for one band from each school and the age range is Secondary/Tertiary students. Many schools will host their own Battle of the Bands event and put forward the winner to represent their school at the hub regional heat.

Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs would like acknowledge the generous support of our host schools for supporting these events.

Regional Heats

17 June | Plympton Academy, Plymouth

18 June | Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot

19 June | Cranbrook Education Campus, Cranbrook

20 June | Petroc College, Barnstaple

Final

27 June | Bomba, Exeter

Miles Maguire

Miles was the Co-Principal Trumpet with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for over ten years. He then free-lanced in London for many years playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony and Concert Orchestras, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra as well as regularly playing in West-End shows such as Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins. Miles is a past winner of the prestigious Shell/LSO Music Scholarship Competition and the Guildhall School of Music Brass Competition and Chairsmans Prize. Miles has over fifteen years experience teaching brass, both privately and in schools as a visiting music teacher.
He has also been involved with many music education projects over the years.

Charlotte Stus

Charlotte Stus BMus (Hons) LTCL DipABRSM DipLCM CME MISM
Langley Marsh TA4 2UL ☏07545841195 email charlottestus.musiceducator@gmail.com
charlottestusmusiceducator.co.uk

Profile

A highly motivated and enthusiastic Music Educator with 22 years’ experience as a Professional
Leading Musician in HM Royal Marines Band Service. A highly accomplished Solo Clarinettist, who
possesses excellent, high­level communication, planning and preparation skill; all of which are key
components to being an effective and amenable educator to young people, further endorsed with the
accredited Trinity CME (Certificate for Music Educators)

Key Skills
• Professional Clarinettist experienced in performing on the world stage in high pressure performance
situations and with a proven advanced level of qualification
• Strong military grounding enhanced resilience and adaptability to exceed expectation in diverse
environments and situations. A reliable, professional and conscientious attitude
• Teaching experience 7 years in varied educational settings, gaining the latest teaching qualifications
and a 100% pass rate. MISM Registered Peripatetic Teacher.
• Extensive musical skills conducting, musical leadership, piano accompaniment, saxophone, music
theory.
• CDP A detailed record as a peripatetic teacher, displaying a conscientious approach to staying
current. An ‘always learning’ attitude.

Relevant Qualifications
• 05/2023 ABRSM ‘Becoming a flexible music teacher’.
• 12/2022 Trinity Grade 5 Piano
• 03/2022 LTCL Performance, Clarinet
• 12/2019 Trinity Certificate in Music Education CME
• 10/2018 EduCare Child Protection in Education (Music) level 2
• 11/2015 ABRSM Theory Grade 6
• 06/2008 Bachelor of Music Honours Degree
• 12/2005 Dip ABRSM Clarinet Performance
• 04/2002 Dip LCM Electronic Keyboard

Music Education Experience
Supply Teacher, Guildhall Young Artists School of Music, Taunton (GYAT) 2022 – Present
• Peripatetic Clarinet and Saxophone tuition, small ensemble rehearsals, group classes in Music
theory and History.
• Supplying the required music workshops with adaptability, concise planning and preparation to
deliver high quality, entertaining, inspiring tuition to young musicians in a Saturday school setting of the
highest calibre.

Private Student Tuition 2019 ­ Present

• Several private students across all age ranges and adult learners, undertaking graded examinations
through ABRSM and Trinity.
• Experienced in lesson planning, lesson recording and self­reflection.
• Flexible approach in tailoring exam pathways and learning styles to student’s learning needs and
aspirations.
• Remote Theory tuition by means of video lessons to facilitate the ABRSM Workbooks resulting in
students passing the online exams with distinction.

Volunteer, Highpark Community Music Project 2017­ Present

• Demonstrating a passion for teaching young people music and inspiring access to music for all.
• Individual and group clarinet and saxophone tuition
• Leading ensemble sessions with excellent communication skills, conducting and musical
leadership.
• Safeguarding officer ­ Managing the vital aspect of safeguarding within the organisation. Keeping up
to date with policies and best practice in an educational club/group setting.

DOM Wiveliscombe Town Band Sept 2023 ­ Present
• Recently appointed Musical Director of a local Brass Band
• Demonstrating conducting and musical directing in a large ensemble setting

Taunton School Sabbatical teaching March 2024
• Covering 14 clarinet and saxophone students at Taunton School (senior) abilities ranging from
grades 2 ­ 8.
• Passed full application and interview process, safeguarding checks and professional referencing.

Career Summary

HM Royal Marines Band Service 2002 ­ Present
• Acquired skills in: Composition, Arranging, Transcription, Aural, History, Viva Voce, Harmony,
Elements and Conducting. Fulfilling a BMus (hons) and promotion to Sergeant (middle management) broadened musical skills aside from performance. A music educator should possess a broad scope of musical knowledge to enhance and encompass instrumental tuition.
• Travelled the world and performed on the most prestigious stages and settings at both intimate high profile engagements and vast audiences alike. Experience in the art of performance as a soloist and as part of any ensemble is a desirable skill to pass on to students.
• Solo performances Vast experience of performing cadenzas within orchestral transcriptions and solo works accompanied by the wind band; notably the Artie shaw concerto and Victor’s Tale. Experience in performing from memory. Extensive recital experience throughout my career in obtaining all the above music performance qualifications and public recital performances in the local area.
• 9 years’ experience as a Senior Musician. Mentoring and developing young people, coaching them to achieve their full potential musically and as junior leaders within musical sections. Working well as part of a team.
• Principle Solo Clarinet. Musically leading the Wind Band and working in partnership with the conductor, managing the clarinet section and woodwind section, tuning and warming up the Band. Demonstrating advanced musical awareness and knowledge.
• Recruitment at a Senior Managerial level. Reaching out to educational settings and music groups to coordinate workshops with young people across the country. Excellent Communication skills by email, phone and face to face meetings. Delegation of tasks to the recruitment team. Presentation skills using PowerPoint to large audiences. Diverse experience in working alongside young people to enthuse and inspire through a musical experience.
• Middle Management. Managing up to 10 personnel at a time through their career paths, reporting and pastoral care. Displaying an organised and controlled workload and effective time management. Consistency in reliability, approachability, aspirational role model, professionally musically prepared and setting a positive example in the workplace.

Qualifications
• CMI Level 5 Certificate Management and Leadership
• Level 3 Certificate for Professional Workplace Coaches
• Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching for Team Leaders and First Line Managers
• 3 A Levels: Music, English, Geology
• Workplace Risk Assessor IOSH
• First Aid Level 2
• 12 GCSE’s at grades A*­ B including Maths and English

Additional information
• HRH Duke of Edinburgh Prince’s Badge Award ­ Best Overall Musician in training (2005) RM Band
Service

Personal account
Music is my ultimate hobby, which I have been lucky enough to pursue as a career. I continue to strive to further my musical skills and experiences. Learning the piano, I am working towards grade 6 to enable me to accompany students. I perform recitals in the local area, most recently at St Mary’s Magdalene Church, Taunton, Sunday teatime recital series. I am passionate about teaching and sharing music with others, it gives me immense satisfaction and joy. I am highly motivated in keeping my personal fitness at a high ­level enjoying running, swimming, cycling, yoga and playing netball for a local team. I live with my Husband Mike and 10 ­year ­old daughter Emilia. We enjoy the outdoors, camping and gardening together.

Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival Education Programme

Join us at the 2024 festival for our 3-day music education programme of events over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The programme is free to attend and provides learning, inspiration and participation, open to people of all ages and abilities. Come along and learn from professionals at our masterclasses and participate in the various jam sessions and workshops. The programme takes place at Sidmouth Parish Church and Sidmouth Methodist Church. Places can be booked via the Jazz Festival website.

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Devon Youth Orchestras Spring Concert

Once again the exciting sound of some of Devon’s most accomplished young orchestral musicians will fill Exeter Cathedral. This is a celebration of orchestral music performed by young players from all parts of Devon.

As well as performances by both of the Devon Youth Orchestras the concert will also feature soloists and smaller ensembles from within the orchestras.

The programme is particularly chosen to appeal across a wide age range and includes music from film scores and orchestral classics performed by the Concert Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductors Paul Painter and Mel Orriss.

The Mix 2024 (family and general public bookings)

We are SO excited that The Mix, our music festival for children and young people, is returning in 2024!

Taking place over two days at Bridwell Park, admission on Friday 5 July will be exclusively reserved for school groups, with Saturday 6 July open to families and the general public.

On Saturday, we will be showcasing some of Devon’s finest young musicians as we feature live music performances from many of our County Groups and Hub supported music-making activities, including…

Main Stage Live Lounge
11.oo Devon Youth Orchestras 11.15 Music in Devon Initiative
11.45 Jam Buddies 12.00 Devon Youth Folk Ensemble
12.30 Exeter Children’s Orchestra 12.45 Live Music
13.15 Devon Youth Choir 13.30 Cameron Mills Group
14.00 Teachers Rock 14.15 Live Music
14.45 Torbay & South Devon Music Centre 15.00 Cameron Mills Group
15.30 Live Music 15.45 Open Mic Session
16.15 Devon Youth Folk Ensemble

 

We will also have interactive music workshops for children and young people of all ages and abilities taking place, which you can either book on the day or drop-in wherever there is capacity – the workshop schedule is as follows…

Workshops

FREE parking will be available on site. A variety of refreshments will be available on site from the The Orangery Cafe and The Turning Tides Project food truck, however, please feel free to bring along a summer picnic of your own! 

Admission is free of charge but advance booking is recommended – bookings open NOW!

Open rehearsal with the Band of the Coldstream Guards

On Monday 22 April, the world-renowned Band of the Coldstream Guards will take centre stage at the Exeter Corn Exchange for a spectacular performance celebrating St George’s Day in support of the Army Benevolent Fund. Ahead of the concert, local schools are invited to join the Band to listed to an open rehearsal and a talk from the Band Engagement Team about life as Musician in the Corps of Army Music from 1.30-3pm. This event is best suited to secondary schools but upper KS2 pupils are also very welcome to attend. Please note that your details will be shared with the Army Benevolent Fund who are producing this event.

TRYSTOCK 2024 – Singing & Wellbeing Music Festival hosted by Teachers Rock

We are excited to announce that our popular singing and wellbeing music festival will return to The BIG Sheep Family Attraction this Summer on Saturday 13th July, 2024.

This music festival will bring together our Teachers Rock® choir of educators, Teacher Rock® Academy Choir and Teachers Rock® Youth Choirs (made up of schools from across the South West) for a festival celebrating singing and wellbeing under the direction of Teachers Rock® founder Debbie Kent. Find us on social media:  Facebook;   You TubeInstagram;   X tags

Teachers Rock ‘Abbey Road Studios’ Album Launch

To celebrate the release of our Teachers Rock® live at #abbeyroad recordings we will be hosting a very special album launch on Saturday 9th March, 2024 hosted at Mint Methodist Church in Exeter.
Doors will open at 7:00pm and our #intergenerational choir will perform a live set from 7:30-8:30pm. There will also be the opportunity to meet some of our choir members as well as purchase a copy of our new release ?
Each ticket holder for the album launch event will also be entitled to 10% off all merchandise on the night. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our special abbey road performances with you all.Find us on social media: You Tube;   Facebook;

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Little Big Horns in Ashburton : a fun street band workshop and a big concert

The 5 piece Little Big Horns Street band from Somerset is coming to Ashburton Arts Center for a great night of music with loads of energy.
There will be a fun workshop in the afternoon, open to everyone playing an acoustic portable instrument. Every age and level of playing is welcome, there will be some very easy to more advanced stuff to play together !
Piano players welcome, treat yourself with a Melodica and join the fun ! Check out our website

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