Blog Posts - Forte School of Music UK

Forte School of Music on YouTube.

11/1/2021

We have been working hard on setting up our new YouTube channel which, going forward, will be available with all the video clips from our music festivals.

To date we have added the video clips from 2019 and 2020 music festivals (more will be added over the next few weeks, so please keep checking!) - you can view them at The Forte School of Music Cardiff YouTube site - click here.

We are delighted to be finally sharing with you the fantastic videos that our students submitted for the 2020 festival, which we were disappointed to have to cancel, especially when so much work had gone into the preparations for it, though we can now bring you all of these wonderful performances via our new YouTube channel!

Meet The Teacher - Miss Alicia

11/1/2021

Right from a young age I have always loved music. The first time I heard the flute, I immediately fell in love and started playing as soon as I could aged 9. Over the years, I worked my way through the grades and went on to study music performance at the University of Leeds followed by music performance and teaching at the RWCMD. I graduated with a MMus in music performance and teaching from the RWCMD in 2018 and began teaching at Forte in March 2019. During my time at RWCMD I started exploring the clarinet and saxophone and had lessons in both these instruments as well as flute. At Forte I now thoroughly enjoy teaching a wide range of students the flute, clarinet and saxophone. I found my passion for teaching whilst at the RWCMD and wrote my final dissertation on different methods of teaching. Luckily, I had the experience of teaching woodwind in both primary and secondary schools to use as case studies. I love teaching because I want to pass on to others, that love of music and the enjoyment I had learning the flute as a child. Seeing my students grow and develop in their playing every week brings me so much joy!

Who’s your favourite composer?
Shostakovich and Mahler – I can’t pick between them. Their pieces are both so much fun to play in orchestra.

Who’s been the biggest musical influence in your life so far?
This has to be my flute teacher at the RWCMD, Sarah Newbold. She inspired me not only to better my own flute playing, but to teach others with enthusiasm, care and dedication.

What’s your favourite piece of music?
Anything from a Disney film!! Oh and I love the How to Train your Dragon soundtrack too!

What style of music do you relax to?
Musicals or film soundtracks – anything I can have a good sing-a-long with!

Who’s your favourite performer?
In the world of flute Katherine Bryan because her performances are so enchanting, enjoyable and exciting to watch. In the pop world I like Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes… and more!

SCHOOL TERM DATES

11/1/2021

Half Term Holidays:
Monday 25th October - Sunday 31st October

Christmas Holidays:
Tuesday 21st December - Sunday 2nd January

Please note that we are open on Monday 20th December, making up lessons from Monday, 30th September, when we were closed.

Lessons in 2022 commence on Monday, 3rd January, which is a bank holiday.

Rockschool at Forte Cardiff

10/19/2021

Rockschool at Forte - Guitar, Bass Guitar and Drums

Whether you are taking your first steps on an instrument, or perfecting your advanced instrument technique, a Rockschool qualification will not only improve your playing ability, but expand your technical proficiency and give you a solid grasp of music theory – all whilst learning some of the most iconic tracks from the world of popular music.

CALL 02920 631340 for your FREE taster lesson.

MEET THE NEW SCHOOL MANAGER - OLLIE MCCULLOUGH

9/28/2021

I am delighted to take on the role of School Manager at Forte School of Music, Cardiff. I have been here for 4 years this September and learnt a lot from my predecessor Suzanne Silezin who recently took early retirement after doing amazing things at the school for 20 years. No pressure then! :)

I really value the Forte method of teaching music and am privileged to get to witness the benefits and student’s achievements each week. Forte truly caters for students of all ages and abilities and recognises the importance of music as a means of expression, confidence building and sociability in addition to education. I am so proud of how our teachers, students and parents have adapted, and supported us, over the last 18 months and am optimistic about the future of Forte.

Tell us a bit about yourself….
I love to play guitar and have enjoyed writing, recording and performing both solo and with local bands over the past 15 years. I gained my grade 8 certificate in classical guitar through Trinity College London in 2018 and completed a BA (Honours) in Humanities (Music & History) through the Open University this July.

Who’s your favourite composer?
My musical hero is an American singer-songwriter/composer called Elliott Smith. His music is heartbreakingly beautiful and guitar work so intricate and unique. Every time I re-listen to one of his songs I hear something new.

What’s your favourite piece of music?
Currently anything that my 18-month-old boy plays on ukulele, harp and guitar (he seems to like strings!), because he is so enthusiastic and proud - he claps after playing.

What style of music do you relax to?
Generally something instrumental and ambient, sometimes jazz and Motown. I find myself particularly enjoying solo piano in recent years, perhaps a consequence of working at Forte and hearing some brilliant pieces performed by our very talented teachers and students :)

Who’s your favourite performer?
Louis Prima, AKA ‘King of the swingers’, was second to none in my opinion. His performances with Keely Smith (vocals) and Sam Butera (saxophone) are simply brilliant; their combination of excellent musicianship and humour is a joy to listen to. They really knew how to put on a show.

MEET THE OWNER - JANE COLES

8/25/2021

With more than thirty years of teaching experience, an active performer as a pianist and accompanist, Jane is the owner of Forte School of Music in Cardiff. The first Forte school was opened in the UK by Roland UK Ltd in 2000, when Jane was also working for Roland UK as a Group Manager for their growing concessions business, managing teams of people demonstrating pianos, keyboards, drums and music software in department stores around the country, including The Ideal Home Show.

Jane was involved with the Forte school in Cardiff from the very beginning, supporting the annual Forte Festival, taking part in joint initiatives and, finding herself loving the teaching style and core skills taught in Forte lessons, joined the teaching team in 2003, where she worked her way to become senior teacher. Jane took over ownership of the Cardiff school, which has welcomed thousands of pupils through its doors, in October 2009.

Jane has recently been seen performing at Acapela for their dining evenings, as well as having previously provided music in the restaurants at the Celtic Manor and St David’s Hotel and can regularly be seen in concert with Llantrisant Male Choir and Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, as their accompanist – she even gained an audience with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall last month!

Who’s your favourite composer? -  I fell in love with Mendelssohn’s music back when I was doing my grade 8 piano exam and selected Duetto from Songs Without Words as one of my performance pieces. To this day I get great pleasure from playing through the book and enjoying the harmonies, the intertwining of the parts, the big build ups to the warmest of finales, the unexpected turns and the joy which it brings to the listener when they first hear his music – such a pleasure for the performer and listener alike!
Who’s been the biggest musical influence in your life so far?  Billy Joel’s music has been with me every step of the way. The first single that I ever bought with my own money was Uptown Girl. My ability to sight-read just about everything comes from buying his Greatest Hits book and making myself play through it from start to finish, at a stage in my studies where I was disappointed not to be able to pick up music and just play it, after all of the work that I had put in – by the end of the book I had cracked it! At college I performed Honesty and New York State of Mind in assessments and taught the choir an arrangement that I wrote of Lullabye. Even at Forte I still reference his work in my classes, as in the chorus of This Night he sets lyrics to Beethoven’s Adagio from Sonata Pathétique, which is a great opportunity to get my students listening to both Billy Joel and Beethoven in one go!
What’s your favourite piece of music?   I will readily travel to hear Karl Jenkin's The Armed Man being performed over and over again, I have even been to see it at The Royal Albert Hall. I used to love hearing it performed with the visuals on a large screen behind the orchestra though, alas, that seems to have stopped touring, though the DVD is well worth a look, if you can get hold of it. The work was commissioned by the Royal Armouries for the Millennium and is a mass for peace, starting with a call to prayer, taking a journey through the leaders of the world calling for war and then the citizens of the world fighting and suffering as a result. The journey then continues through the rebuilding after war, ending with the hope of peace for the new millennium. With the visuals, there was a spine tingling moment where the twin towers collapsed to a cacophony of sound from five percussionists and the howling and screaming of the choir. This was quite possibly the most moving moment I have ever had in a performance, which peaks and then falls to absolute silence, only broken by the occasional sob of an audience member. Powerful stuff. My favourite part of all is Benedictus, I weep without fail every time I hear it - such emotion in just a handful of notes.
What style of music do you relax to?   Believe it or not, I mostly enjoy silence at home, which people are often surprised to hear. My day is so full of music, by day and by night, that the last thing that I think of doing is putting more on when I get home, as I am ready for a bit of peace and quiet by then. I do wake up to a bit of Radio 2 in the mornings though.
Who’s your favourite performer? I never tire of seeing Billy Joel perform and he can take the credit as being the only artist ever to get me up in the aisles dancing for a full three hours, with hit after hit after hit!

START YOUR PIANO JOURNEY THIS SEPTEMBER

8/25/2021

Our free taster lesson allows you and your child to meet our teachers, see our school and experience the fun which we all have at Forte, while learning to play the piano and developing the musical skills essential to the development of well rounded young musicians - come and see how much fun learning music can be!

To book your FREE TASTER LESSON call 029 2063 1340 or email fortecardiff@fortemusic.co.uk

Keep Forever Young - Join our growing number of adult learners!

5/28/2021

Lockdown continues to progress and we have been delighted to find that it's not only children that are returning to lessons at Forte. During the last year it's been wonderful to see parents and grandparents also enjoying the amazing benefits of learning a musical instrument or rediscovering their passion of playing again.

Why not book in for a one to one lesson on your instrument of choice and change your life!

10 Benefits of Learning Music That Will Change Your Life

Music Does Wonders for Your Health.
Music Can Make You Smarter.
Music Can Boost Your Social Life.
Music Can Help Build Confidence.
Music Teaches Patience and Discipline.
Music Enhances Creativity.
Music Helps You Connect with Others.
Music Can Help You Learn Teamwork.

FREE TASTER LESSON TIMETABLE - June 2021

5/28/2021

We are holding group lessons on the following days in June and offering a FREE taster lesson to all new children.

Junior Keys (5-7 YEARS):
Monday 5.20pm, Friday 4.45pm & Saturday 9.20am
Piano Keys (7-9 YEARS) :
Thursday 5pm & Saturday 10.50am
Jungle Babies (6-18 MONTHS):
Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th June at 9.30am

ALSO

Coffee Keys (INFORMAL ADULT CLASSES) :
EVERY Wednesday between 11am and 12.30pm.

CALL US TODAY ON 029 20 631340 OR EMAIL FORTECARDIFF@FORTEMUSIC.CO.UK

OUR MULTI SENSORY APPROACH ENGAGES ALL LEARNERS!

5/28/2021

LEARNING MUSIC AT FORTE IS FUN! OUR MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH ENGAGES ALL THREE MAIN SENSES:

AUDITORY - VISUAL - KINAESTHETIC

Traditionally music has been taught in a visual way where reading is the key. This approach makes it more difficult for auditory and kinaesthetic learners.

We all take onboard information utilising our senses; visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. At Forte we encompass visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning activities with every piece so each type of learner is catered for. Children often experience additional benefits from engaging in our multi-sensory lessons including a strengthening of their weaker senses. This in turn can lead to a stronger and more robust learner in other areas of education.

No wonder research shows children who learn a musical instrument do better at school! Forte has taken this to a whole new level with our multi-sensory approach. Not only does it make learning music easier, but it makes for a better learner!