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The East Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service has forged an enviable reputation throughout Scotland through the delivery of high – quality instrumental and choral instruction, whilst offering young people the opportunities to perform at local, national and indeed international level through the establishment of a wide range of bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles.

Through instrumental and choral tuition, the Instrumental Music Service seeks to enhance and enrich the lives of the young people of East Renfrewshire and pass on a skill which will last way beyond school years into adulthood. There is a variety of reasons to learn a musical instrument or sing in a choir – apart from being great fun, it has been proven through research that singing or playing a musical instrument improves performance in all areas of the curriculum.

Playing a musical instrument or singing can help develop the following skills:

• Self-confidence
• Self-respect
• Self-reliance
• Self-discipline
• Listening skills
• Creativity and imagination

• Co-operation
• Commitment
• Loyalty
• Communication
• Memory
• Team and social skills
• Co-ordination skills
• Concentration

Performance is an essential part of playing a musical instrument or singing in a choir and the Instrumental Music Service provides performing opportunities for all levels. The very first performances may begin in instrumental lessons, class or school assemblies leading to playing in any one of the 22 bands, orchestras, choirs and ensembles which perform regularly throughout the authority. Senior ensembles and choirs have enjoyed great achievements in national competitions and regularly perform all over Scotland, including concerts in Orkney, Edinburgh, RSAMD and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with recent orchestral and band tours to Hungary and Spain and a forth-coming trip to St Petersburg in Russia.

The East Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service remains committed to:

• Meeting the musical needs and expectations of pupils and parents
• Managing an effective and efficient service
• Professional development training for all staff
• Partnership with parents, local, national and international communities