Aberdeenshire Instrumental Music Service

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The Instrumental Music Service operates in all 17 Community School Networks across Aberdeenshire, providing group and individual lessons.

We are committed to working together with schools and communities to secure continuous improvement in outcomes for children and young people and to have better, integrated working arrangements within Education and Children's Services in pursuit of improved outcomes for children and young people.

Our ambition is to offer the best opportunities for as many people as possible to benefit from our Service.

We aim to provide and maintain an efficient and modern service which maximises digital technology and new ways of working

The Instrumental Music Service operates in all 17 Community School Networks across Aberdeenshire, providing group and individual lessons.

We are committed to working together with schools and communities to secure continuous improvement in outcomes for children and young people and to have better, integrated working arrangements within Education and Children's Services in pursuit of improved outcomes for children and young people.

Our ambition is to offer the best opportunities for as many people as possible to benefit from our Service.

We aim to provide and maintain an efficient and modern service which maximises digital technology and new ways of working in order to support instrumental music tuition in Scotland by working in partnership with communities, schools, organisations and individuals.

We aim to provide opportunities for pupils and the wider community to experience a broad range of music-making.


Further information can be found on our website: Instrumental music lessons - Aberdeenshire Council


This space is for the Instrumental Music Service to engage with all stakeholders, parents, teachers, pupils and interested communities. Follow the timeline to see which consultations or engagements are live and when the results from past engagements have been posted to our news section.


Scroll down to take part in the live surveys and other engagements.

  • March 2023 Evaluation Feedback on Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions (AYMS)

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    In our survey we asked:

    • Who you were and 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.
    • Are you likely to attend Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions in the future.

    You told us:

    • Pupils from 8 Academies and 41 Primary Schools participated.



    • 37.1% of respondents had attended at least one project and 62.9% had not attended.


    • 46.8% of AYMS participants attended the Concert Band at Mackie Academy.
      • 52.5% felt the number of sessions was just right, 47.5% would like more sessions offered in future.
      • 100% felt the music provided was suitable.

    • 34.2% of AYMS participants attended the Junior Strings Ensemble at Mackie Academy.
      • 64.3% felt the number of sessions was just right, 35.7% would like more sessions offered in future.
      • 96.4% felt the music provided was suitable and 3.6% felt the music was too easy.

    • 34.4% of AYMS participants attended the Junior Strings Ensemble at Inverurie Academy.
      • 20.7% felt the number of sessions was just right, 85.3% would like more sessions offered in future.
      • 93.1% felt the music provided was suitable and 6.9% felt the music was not suitable.
        • Out of the two respondents, one felt that the music was too easy, and one felt it was too hard.

    • 53.6% said that the project met expectation, 42.9% said the project exceeded expectations and 3.6% said that the project did not meet expectations.

    • 39.5% said very likely, 30% said likely and 30.5% of all respondents said not very likely to attend AYMS in the future.


    Based on the data:


    • We organised further projects for Term 4 (April to July).


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


    • We will aim to cover a larger geographical area.


  • Feedback from the survey: Aberdeenshire Youth Music Session 2022-23

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    In our survey we asked about:

    • Your interest in the Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions.
    • Which Groups you would like to attend.
    • Your preference on the session durations.


    You told us:

    • 21.6% of respondents were pupils.
    • 79.5% of respondents were parents/carers.
    • 50.5% would like to attend Inverurie Academy – Concert Band.
    • 40% would like to attend Inverurie Academy - Junior Strings.
    • 34.7% would like to attend Mackie Academy – Concert Band.
    • 70.5% preferred a half-day session.
    • 46.3% preferred a full-day session.


    Based on the data:

    We organised three separate half-day Aberdeenshire Youth Music Sessions for February and March.

    We put a list of suitable instrumentation for Concert Bands and String Orchestras on this site.

Page last updated: 13 May 2025, 04:37 PM