June 2023 Feedback on Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions (AYMS) Evaluation

In our survey we asked:

• Which school you attended.
• Which year group you were in.
• What instrument you play.
• Did you attend any of the AYMS projects.
• What AYMS project you attended.
• Did you get what you expected from the project.
• What you learnt from the sessions.
• If you have any other thoughts regarding AYMS.
• If you were likely to attend Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions in the future.
• What other type of musical ensembles you would like in the future.

You told us:

• Pupils from 6 Academies and 12 Primary Schools participated.

• 100% of respondents had attended at least one project.

Concert Band - Mackie Academy:

• 56.8% of AYMS participants attended the Concert Band at Mackie Academy.
• 71.4% felt the number of sessions was just right, 28.6% would like more sessions offered in future.
• 100% felt the music provided was suitable.

What you learnt from the sessions:

• Due to a broken thumb, I was given the opportunity to play percussion which I was so grateful for.
• Focussed study and working with others.
• Loads
• The play was very good but was a little bit short. I think could be a longer peace to play.
• Enjoyed playing with other people and learning new music.
• New music, new techniques, playing in combination with other instruments.
• Reading music more easily. Enjoyed playing with others.
• Playing with other people
• I learned some new notes and met some new people.
• How to play with other people.
• My counting of quavers has improved. I have also learned 3 new pieces.
• Music was a little easy but the skills in playing together were invaluable.
• Coordinate and synchronization
• Child is inspired and enjoyed playing in a large group.
• My sons place in the orchestra and how much he has improved.
• Pupils can learn a lot with regards teamwork, supporting each other and build on existing knowledge
• New music and to have fun playing as part of a group.
• First time attending any kind of class in Mackie; first time taking part in a full band.
• To follow conductor, to keep to time.

Junior Strings Ensemble - Mackie Academy:

• 35.1% of AYMS participants attended the Junior Strings Ensemble at Mackie Academy.
• 69.2% felt the number of sessions was just right, 30.8% would like more sessions offered in future.
• 100% felt the music provided was suitable.

What you learnt from the sessions:

• Playing with a group and more advanced learning
• Confidence
• Playing in a group
• That there should be more regular sessions like before
• New music, new techniques, playing together with other instruments.
• How to do Col Legno
• I learned some new techniques.
• Performance skills, listening skills, dedication to practicing.
• Coordinate and synchronisation
• To play with other musicians

Junior Strings Ensemble - Inverurie Academy

• 24.3% of AYMS participants attended the Junior Strings Ensemble at Inverurie Academy.
• 44.4% felt the number of sessions was just right, 55.5% would like more sessions offered in future.
• 100% felt the music provided was suitable.

What you learnt from the sessions:

• How to play together as part of an orchestra - timing and learning to read music etc.
• Teamwork
• Orchestra skills, playing together is really fun.
• Reduce Stage fright.
• I learned how to teach other members of the group some little things to help.
• Enjoyed learning new pieces and play with others.
• How to count properly when repeating
• How to play better in a group.
• How to play with other musicians

Your project expectations and other thoughts regarding AYMS:

• 55.6% said that the project met expectations and 44.4% said the project exceeded expectations.

• Super sessions, really enjoyable. Kids inspired by enthusiastic staff and youth leaders. Thank you!
• Think it’s fantastic and a big thanks to everyone for arranging and facilitating the sessions.
• Great
• They are great.
• Good fun
• Quite like it
• There should be more like there was before.
• More please
• I loved it and will go next time too!
• This type of ensemble could occur more frequently.
• It’s an excellent opportunity and lots of fun.
• Really good. Nice to see young leaders to look up to. Really fun.
• Brilliant 🤩
• Why have Inverurie and Stonehaven on the same weekend? If they hadn’t been we could have done both instead of having to choose.
• I really enjoyed it!
• It is fun and I enjoy the sessions.
• Brilliant, valuable and a fantastic opportunity for young pupils.
• Brilliant idea. Great for families that it's not every week. 3-week blocks are great
• Great group. Both our kids loved it
• Excellent work
• The joining instructions were poor. More information could have been given.
• Great sessions, great initiative to support a teach the pupils.
• I really enjoyed this, and previously I took part in a similar thing, but it was every week. I really enjoyed that, and I would really like for it to return.
• It would be good if they could be residential, going away for a week like I know friends do in other parts of Scotland.
• Would like to have more like it was pre Covid.
• Really enjoyed it. Helped my daughter to see the purpose of practicing as she has not taken part with a large group before.
• They are great, appreciate time teachers take on the weekend to provide this opportunity and enthuse kids to play more.

• 91.9% said they were very likely and 8.1% said they were likely to attend AYMS in the future.

Musical ensembles you would like in the future:

• Orchestra
• Happy with what's on offer at the moment.
• Senior Band
• Strings group, full orchestra - like at school.
• Combine the brass/woodwind and the strings.
• Full orchestra
• Proper orchestra (strings and woodwind and brass)
• I would like the orchestra to be split into younger and older sessions.
• Ceilidh band
• Not sure
• Any that it can be offered apart from band and orchestra.
• I enjoy the string ensemble, but I am also very interested in folk music.
• Orchestra and string ensemble
• Fiddle Orchestra
• Scottish traditional
• The current one is good as is inclusive.

Based on the data:

We organised more projects for Academic Year 2023/24.

We will aim to offer a greater range of types of ensembles next Academic session.

We will aim to cover a larger geographical area.