Bolton is recognised as a centre of live music excellence which is achieved only through considerable dedicated hard work by teachers and students of outstanding talent.
Our dedicated and talented staff teach a full range of instruments to around 3000 pupils in over 100 school in Bolton. The 30nstrumental staff travel from school to school to provide brass, string, woodwind, keyboard, guitar, percussion and piano lessons to individuals and to small groups in both Primary and Secondary Schools. They work in close contact with the Music Co-ordinators in the schools to select students and to maintain a good rate of progress in the young musicians.
For the few school that do not receive instrumental tuition our staff visit several times a year with ensembles and activities for the whole school.
Close links with outside organisations give exciting opportunities to pupils, and the Music Service in Bolton is helping develop and shape music education at a national level.
Instrumental Exams
Instrumental students often like to take "grade exams" to confirm the progress that they are making as musicians. At Bolton Music Service we enter many students for exams (from initial Grade up to Grade 8 and beyond) with the Trinity Exam board.
The examinations usually take place in the familiar surroundings of Bolton Music Centre three times each year and teachers will ask students to take an examination when they have reached the required standard. Click the logo on the right to open the Trinity Exam Page
This year we have introduced "Rock School" exams for our drum students and the first exams take place in June 06. Click the logo on the right to view the Rock School website
Assisted Purchase Scheme for Instruments
Bolton Music Service operate the Assisted Purchase Scheme enabling parents to purchase instruments "for use as part of the normal curriculum."
The scheme operates only for those students taught by the Music Service.
HM Customs and Excise devise the regulations concerning VAT relief and the Music Service and schools must operate in accordance with their framework. (NB - We do not make the rules!)
To qualify for VAT relief:
the instrument should be portable and taken to school on a regular, weekly basis for use during lessons.
The Music Service must place the order for the instrument and accept delivery of it. If the parent accepts supply of the instrument in a shop or pays any money to the retailer, we will be unable to arrange VAT relief.
The supplier must be registered for VAT.
The transaction between the parent and the Music Service must take place on Education premises in a room that is normally used for teaching.
The instrument must only be of a necessary quality for the particular student.
If you wish to make use of this scheme you must contact your child's teacher, not the Music Service.
Every child taught by Bolton Music Service receives a written report from their instrumental teacher during the summer term. These reports are distributed through the schools and provide a valuable record of the progress that is being made.
![[File]](file-doc.png)
Download Assisted Purchase Form (42.0 kB)