About Jo Sear LRSM CT ABRSM ALCM

Over 25 years experience of playing and teaching teaching flute, recorder, piano, clarinet and music theory.

I have been teaching flute, recorder, piano, clarinet and music theory now for 25 years. I began as a freelance teacher and have spent the last 15 years working for the Luton Music Service. Due to my husband being re-located for work we are now setting up home in Weston-Super-Mare.

My first instrument was recorder and it is one that I still love. Post grade 8 I have spent much time teaching this in small and large groups in school (up to 30 children) and organising Recorder Revels each year, where children from several different schools get together for an afternoon and evening (up to 100 children) and practise, then perform ensemble pieces. I strongly believe that a wider audience should know that the recorder is not just a ‘school beginner instrument’ and should discover what a wonderful instrument it is.

I primarily teach flute (LRSM), individual and small group lessons, and many of my students have gone on to study music at university. I regularly enter students for ABRSM and Trinity College examinations and have a 99% pass rate. In each High School that I teach in I run flute choirs who perform regularly in school concerts. I also teach clarinet up to grade 5.

I am also a pianist (ALCM) and as well as teaching piano, I accompany my flute, clarinet and recorder students for their exams, so they have regular practice with the accompaniment, therefore going into the exams well prepared and at ease.

For 10 years I conducted and directed the Luton Youth Wind Ensemble, a chamber wind group. We toured Italy and Paris and had success at the National Festival of Music for Youth.

I have also been woodwind tutor for the Luton Youth Orchestra and Luton Youth Concert Band for 10 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these groups of teenagers, and taking them on tours of Malta, Italy, Cornwall, Edinburgh, Belgium as well as helping them to prepare for the National Concert Band Festival and numerous appearances at the Music for Youth Festivals.

I have taught at the local Saturday Music School since 2000, conducting various groups such as junior and senior band, intermediate and senior orchestra and senior woodwind. From 2009 – 2014 I was Head of the Music School and responsible for the organisation and running of the weekly school (attendance approx 300 students per week). I have also organised a festival of Music from around the World, and instigated the Family Concerts which were held for four years. These were an opportunity for senior and junior students to work and perform together, using ‘family friendly’ repertoire at a large venue – so popular were they that two performances were done in the same day as they were always a sell out!

All of the above has not left a great deal of free time, but so that I still get to perform myself I have played with Luton Symphony Orchestra for 25 years (15 of those as principal flute) and have also played in numerous pit orchestras for local shows.