The planning permisson for our extension was approved in December, and I am very excited to be able to tell you that we now have a starting date for building the new music room. It will have lovely views over the garden and the fields and will be purpose built for making music. When building work starts in May, for a while I shall be teaching from a temporary venue close by, so that lessons are still peaceful and undisturbed. More details to follow.

With Christmas fast approaching, I have been busy concocting my usual fun and games for the season! 🙂 This year’s Christmas Quiz for all the family is to do with musical instruments from a wide range of eras and countries, and the secondary school challenge (to take place in end of term lessons) is an exciting “Guess the Year” listening challenge. The instrument Quiz will be handed out in next weeks’ lessons and will be due back in January for entry. In due course, I will also publishing the Instrument Quiz on this site too for anyone else who wants a go!

ALSO………..Good Luck to all who are taking ABRSM exams next week!

The Barton Grange Trophy for Music 2012

This trophy was commisioned by my late grandfather, Edward Topping, himself a keen amateur musician. He started to present it to a local young musician every year who showed promise. After many years of it not being awarded, I restarted the tradition in the early 1990s. At least three of the people I have awarded it to have gone on to careers in music, whilst another two are currently at university reading music.

Last year it was awarded to Josie Coffey, and this year I have awarded it to Hannah Culver, who was also a semi finalist in the Young Musician of the Guild competition.

Congratulations Hannah!

We are coming up to the school holidays and I am looking forward to them – although I take some time off, I also enjoy the “out of school” time to explore some other projects! Although some of you have special summer projects already in place with me, if anyone else is interested – duet workshop?…..composition workshop? Other ensembles? Jazz workshop? Boost your music theory? Let me know. I am happy to match some ensembles up if anyone is interested, for violin and or piano.  Great fun for those rainy days in the summer……. subject to availability, so “first come, first served”…..Anne 

I have been very busy today exploring the new syllabus for the ABRSM exams for 2013  and 2014, and there are some interesting pieces – including  “Meet the Flintstones” for Grade 2, “Chatanooga Choo Choo” for Grade 1, and a lovely piece called “The little Peruvian Girl” for Grade 4. Look here for more details:

The current pieces can be used for exams right up to and including Spring 2013, so don’t panic if you are still learning them! Anne

We now have a date for ABRSM Practical Examinations: Monday 2nd July at The Crossroads Centre, Watling St Road. Anyone who needs further information, please contact me. Good Luck to all candidates!

My student Hannah, has two recitals coming up, one on 6th July at 2pm, at The Assembly Rooms in Lytham, and one as part of the Garstang Festival of the Arts, at the Garstang Arts Centre, on 26th July at 1pm. Please come along if you can!

Anne A. Topping Mus B (Hons)

Teacher of piano, violin and music theory

Garstang Road, Barton, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 5AA

I offer private tuition from my brand new purpose-built (2013) studio, which is within a few minutes’ drive from Garstang, Fulwood, Preston, Longridge and surrounding areas.

Please view the rest of my site for further details – I look forward to hearing from you!

“a very rewarding musical journey to embark upon”

” Fun, inspirational and a great mentor! Highly recommended!”

“Anne is a very special musician and a great teacher”

“she goes above and beyond simple teaching and is always there to offer support and advice”

“Our children have even been known to argue over who has lessons, if we have had to cancel one due to other commitments, they both want the remaining one!”

” for the past five years… she has kept the children interested” 

“She is highly inspirational and has an amazing ability to choose pieces for me that she knows I will enjoy playing! I would highly recommend her to anyone”

To see full testimonials from clients, please click on  the “testimonials” section!