Peripatetic Music Teacher

My Portfolio

Telephone: 07966 912878

Email: becky@becky-gibson.co.uk Website: www.becky-gibson.co.uk

Music has been a major part of my life since a very early age. I began

learning to play the piano at the age of 6 as this held a very strong place within my family. At the age of nine I was awarded a musical scholarship into the Junior Department at The Minster School, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. There I spent two years under the training of Terry Gill and began to play the clarinet. I then followed through to the secondary school where I continued to be a major part of the school’s musical life through my involvement in the choir, concert band, clarinet choir and orchestra. By the age of fifteen I had passed my ABRSM Grade 8 clarinet, Grade 6 piano and a piano duet exam. Whilst studying for my A levels at the school’s sixth form, I began to teach the piano and clarinet to my own pupils at home. This continued throughout my time at the Nottingham Trent University where I took my BA Hons Degree, and I have been enjoying this ever since. I currently teach the clarinet, saxophone, piano and theory of music from my home in Aylesbury, and within Buckinghamshire schools. My private lessons are taught on a one-to-one basis in lengths of 30, 45 minutes or an hour, depending on the needs and skills of each individual. I teach my pupils the theory of music as well as the practical and my wind pupils are accompanied where possible by the piano. I also offer my pupils the necessary aural training. My private teaching began in 1999, pupils’ ages have ranged from 3 to 70, and by 2001 I was teaching in my local LEAs, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, in both primary and secondary schools. With the schools acting as a venue, pupils can have their lessons on a rotating timetable with instruments provided either by their parents or the music authority. I am fully accredited by the Derbyshire Music Partnership through whom I attended INSET training days and I was observed by OFSTED inspectors at one of the junior schools where I taught. I submit planning, targets and reports to the Head teachers and parents for every pupil that I teach. This teaching is both on a one-to-one basis and in small groups, and I also play with pupils in their school assemblies. I have worked with pupils within wind bands and on duet work.

Following my relocation to Buckinghamshire in 2007, I worked within several schools on a supply basis for the Aylesbury Music Centre under Hugh Molloy. I taught clarinet, saxophone, recorder and beginner flute. I offer my pupils a learning platform through my website in the form of a Pupil login area – here I post weekly updates to pupils and parents about the progress being made in lessons and the work which needs to be done in their practice to further their ability. Having taught pupils of all ages, I am able to adjust my teaching styles to every individual and tailor my teaching techniques to suit the age. I nurture the youngest and guide the eldest with a great deal of patience through enthusiastic, fun, structured lessons.

I believe that a love of your instrument and the joy of making music are crucial every step along the way, whether teaching classical, popular, jazz or blues from beginner to advanced. I offer support to pupils who wish to take ABRSM examinations, GCSE Music, music as a career, music for their Duke of Edinburgh awards and those who simply want music in their life for pleasure as a pastime.

I enter pupils for the ABRSM examinations – the Associated Board is the world’s leading provider of graded music exams and assessments. Over 600,000 candidates take these exams every year in over 90 different countries. Graded exams from 1-8 in both practical and theory are offered as a clear, progressive framework to measure musical development, and diplomas are respected as qualifications for performers, teachers and directors. I use these exams for those who wish to achieve qualifications or simply need that extra boost and confidence along their learning path.

I teach the theory of music alongside the practical, so that those pupils working through the grades are prepared with Grade 5 theory when they come to take their Grade 6 practical. I teach the necessary aural training for these exams and accompany my wind pupils in the exams also. I take pupils simply for theory lessons and am currently teaching from the ABRSM Jazz syllabus.

I have performed in several of my own recitals over the years and have played the clarinet and saxophone in a jazz trio for both business and private functions and local gigs.

In 2004 I organised and hosted my first concert for my pupils in a public theatre. Since then I have been regularly organising these events, providing my pupils with the invaluable experience of performing in a suitable venue to their peers, family, friends and the paying public. They have been able to share their music making and feel proud and special for what they can do. This opportunity to perform is essential to the shaping and moulding of a musician. I use these concerts to raise money for many different local charities through ticket sales and raffles which also gives pupils the chance to use their talents and time to help those in need. Performing in such concerts also acts as an aid to exam preparation and is a skill that will help in so many life experiences. "...Becky has been teaching piano to my two teenage daughters since February last year, one has also been learning clarinet and music theory for 4 years, They always look forward to their lessons and have a good rapport with her. She encourages them to reach their potential and is very supportive. I have recommended Becky to other parents and students in the past and continue to do so..." "...My daughter Diya ( 4 years old) is Becky's student for almost an year now. Becky is a very lovely person. She knows how to handle a child of such a young age as it is very common for them to get easily distracted from lessons. She is very patient and I should say Diya has progressed very well and confident in playing piano. I would definitely recommend Becky to anyone and wish her all the best in her career. re-gards Uthira..." "...Becky Gibson has helped me enjoy a childhood dream of learning the piano with very practical, weekly lessons. It’s been thoroughly enjoyable as I am now able to play portions of some great classical, and contemporary pop music pieces that pre-viously I could only listen to. Becky has taught me some of the basic theoretical as-pects of music too, such as reading pieces, learning timings and understanding some of the many notations used. I hope to progress further and complete at least grade 1 piano..."