Yes — but we do it in a way that feels natural, fun and achievable. At SoMi, we follow a “sound before symbol” approach. That means children explore music by ear and experience first, and then learns to recognise and read what they’re hearing through colour-coded Solfa notation. Over time, they begin reading and writing simplified music confidently — all as part of a structured and supportive journey. Our aim is to nurture the whole musician by developing skills in performing, listening, composing and singing — all interconnected and growing together.

Both. SoMi’s provision is fully aligned with the Model Music Curriculum and supports progression in key areas like performance, listening, improvisation, and composition. It also offers enrichment through live performance opportunities, band identity, and collaborative music-making.

SoMi costs £35 per month, paid by direct debit during the school year (September to June). This includes:

• A minimum of 35 weekly band sessions in school, led by professional musicians
• Use of a SoMi instrument to practise at home
  
• Access to an online resource library — with a brand new pupil learning app on the way
  
• Termly performances and regular video recordings shared with families
  
• Weekly progress updates from your pupil’s ensemble leader
  

Ongoing support from our friendly HQ team, whenever you need it

It’s a complete musical experience that fits into your pupils school life and supports their learning every step of the way.

You might be surprised just how far children can go with the right approach! SoMi’s curriculum is designed to help pupils succeed from day one. Inspired by the Kodály method, we focus on developing core musicianship through singing, rhythm, movement and hands-on playing — starting with simple techniques and gradually building up to ensemble performance and notation reading. By Years 5 and 6, many children are able to perform confidently as a group, playing real music together in a way that goes well beyond what’s typically expected at primary level.

Our SoMi ensemble leaders are professional musicians and educators, chosen for their passion, skill and ability to inspire. Most hold degree-level qualifications in music, and many are also trained teachers. Every leader completes a thorough training and induction programme, and we’re proud of our commitment to ongoing quality assurance. We actively monitor and support our team so that every child receives a high-quality, consistent experience — full of energy, encouragement and expert teaching.

SoMi provides regular feedback, attendance records, and pupil engagement data. We can also support you in collecting case studies, confidence surveys, and linking outcomes to broader priorities (e.g. behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, or Pupil Premium reporting).

Absolutely. SoMi’s band provision meets DfE and EEF guidance for Pupil Premium by offering targeted, high-quality teaching and wider enrichment. It’s especially effective in supporting engagement, self-esteem, and attendance for disadvantaged pupils.

No! SoMi brings all instruments and resources required, from electric drums to keyboards and amps. All we need is a space (e.g. the hall or a music room) with power access. Setup and pack-down are included in our time.

Sessions are flexible and scheduled in line with your school day—usually in half-day blocks. They can run during PPA time, enrichment slots, or as part of a rotating timetable. We work with you to create a model that suits your staffing and curriculum needs.

SoMi is a combined curriculum & co-curricular approach. We combine pedagogical merit through our Kodaly-inspired curriculum, and build confidence, community, and creativity through band culture. Our focus is about transforming how pupils feel about school, learning, and themselves. SoMi schools have access to a range of other support designed to support leaders and teachers with their respective responsibilities in delivering an effective & inspiring music curriculum.

Many of our SoMi graduates go on to excel in secondary music, whether that’s continuing with 1-to-1 lessons, joining ensembles, or even taking on leadership roles in school music. We work closely with Music Hubs and local partners to support children’s transition into the next phase of their musical journey, giving them every opportunity to keep growing and thriving.

Yes — and it’s all included in your SoMi membership. We partner with Trinity College London so that children can work towards the Arts Award: Certificate in Music Development (ACMD). Some children reach Level 3, which even carries UCAS points later down the line. Qualifications are awarded annually and assessed by your pupil’s ensemble leader, with no additional cost to families.