Greenwich Music School is seeking creative, engaging musicians to design and lead live concert assemblies for primary schools across South East London.

These assemblies are designed to inspire children through live music - helping them discover instruments, musical ideas, and the experience of making music together through performance, participation, and interaction.

We are looking for musicians who can communicate clearly with children, shape a strong educational experience, and create performances that work effectively in a school hall environment.

Assemblies will become part of Greenwich Music School’s offer to local primary schools from September 2026 onwards.

About the role

Concert assemblies will typically:

• Last 20-30 minutes
• Be delivered in school assemblies for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, or whole-school audiences
• Include live performance, spoken presentation, and interactive or participatory elements
• Connect clearly to specific musical learning points
• Introduce children to instruments, musical concepts, styles, cultures, or ways of listening

Assemblies may be delivered by:

• Solo performers
• Small ensembles
• Cross-genre or cross-cultural collaborations
• Musicians working around a clear theme or educational focus

Examples of themes could include:

• Rhythm and groove
• Storytelling through music
• Musical patterns and repetition
• The science of sound
• Improvisation
• Music from different cultures
• Film music
• Songwriting
• How instruments work together

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for musicians who:

• Perform to a high standard
• Can communicate naturally and confidently with children
• Are thoughtful about learning and engagement, not only performance
• Can structure an experience clearly for a large group
• Are reliable, organised, and able to lead rehearsals where relevant
• Can create an atmosphere that is warm, participatory, and age-appropriate

Experience working with children or in education is helpful, though strong proposals from performers with relevant communication and presentation skills are also welcome.

Development process

Selected proposals will take part in a supported development process.

Successful applicants will:

• Attend a training and development day with a leading animateur and primary music specialist
• Refine and workshop their idea into a final assembly plan
• Develop presentation, communication, and facilitation approaches for primary-aged audiences
• Have their assembly added to Greenwich Music School’s schools offer

Following development, assemblies will be available for schools to book between September 2026 and August 2028.

Because Greenwich Music School is investing in training, development, and promotion of these assemblies, we ask that developed assemblies are not delivered independently outside GMS for two years following the training process.

Fees

• £150 development fee for selected proposals that attend the training process
• Guaranteed minimum of one booking during the first year
• Assembly delivery fee:
  • £110 to the lead musician
  • £75 per additional player
  • Up to 3 additional players
• Longer sessions/workshops: fee by agreement

Timeline

• Friday 8th May 2026 - submissions open
• Friday 22nd May 2026, 1pm - submission deadline
• Friday 12th June 2026 - successful proposals invited to training
• Friday 10th July 2026 - training and development day in Woolwich
• September 2026 onwards - assemblies available for school bookings

The next planned opportunity to join the programme after this round is likely to be summer 2028.

How to apply

Please submit:

1. Title/theme
2. Target age group (KS1, KS2, or whole school)
3. Instrumentation
4. Programme, including approximate timings
5. Three learning points:
   • one main learning focus
   • two additional learning points
6. A session plan showing:
   • structure
   • participation/interaction
   • links to learning points
7. A full list of equipment or requirements from the school

We encourage applicants to think carefully about:

• pacing and contrast
• audience engagement
• clarity of learning outcomes
• representation and diversity within repertoire and musical styles
• how children will actively experience the music, rather than only listen passively

Applications should be sent to bethan@greenwichmusicschool.org.uk.

Safeguarding

All musicians delivering work in schools through Greenwich Music School will be required to hold, or obtain, an Enhanced DBS check and follow GMS safeguarding procedures and policies.