🎶 October Updates & Winter Shindig News from Layston Music

Dear Layston Music Families,

October is here and the nights are drawing in! As the evenings get darker, please remember to bring a torch if you need to navigate the path to the studio, and warm clothes if you’re waiting in the car. We want everyone to stay safe and comfortable while enjoying music lessons this month.

📅 Holiday Dates for Your Diary

Here are the upcoming breaks and key dates:

• Half Term: No lessons from Monday 27th October – Sunday 2nd November

• Gig Date: No lessons Saturday 29th November (Talena & Paul away)

• Christmas Holidays: Lessons finish on Monday 22nd December and resume on Tuesday 6th January

🎄 Winter Shindig – Plan Ahead!

It’s full steam ahead with planning for our Annual Winter Shindig on Saturday 13th December 2025!

• Two Concerts:

  • Concert 1: 3:30pm – 5:00pm (younger students & beginners, up to Grade 3, or those who cannot attend the later concert)

  • Concert 2: 6:00pm – 8:30pm (intermediate & advanced students)

• Slots Available: Only 20 performance slots per concert, so please let me know as soon as possible if your child would like to take part.

• Song Choices & Chaperones: Each student must have a chaperone. Please provide chaperone details and your chosen piece when signing up.

• Ticket Info: All performers and one chaperone per performer have free entry. Additional guests are £10 each, payable in advance. No tickets available on the door.

Put this date in your diary now — it’s always a magical celebration of student progress and creativity!

🔔 Term Updates & Reminders

• Payments: PayPal is only available if you include a 5% fee. To avoid this, please pay via bank transfer (details at the bottom of your invoice).

• Timetable: Our new fortnightly timetable with built-in breaks continues to work well, giving students time to settle and giving us space to write detailed lesson notes.

• Late Payments: Late fees are reintroduced — invoices unpaid after 2 weeks will incur a small charge.

• Student Packs: Please bring your student pack to every lesson. It contains sheet music, tabs, lyric sheets, and your practice diary. This helps keep everything organised and makes lessons more productive.

• Zoom Lessons: Remember to have Original Audio enabled, otherwise we cannot hear instruments properly.

👩‍🏫 About Me – Talena Cuthbert

For those new to Layston Music: I’m Talena Cuthbert BA MCMA, a Singer/Songwriter, Music and Health Practitioner, Piano Teacher & Music Mentor, Song and Sound Therapist and Vocal Coach, with over 20 years’ experience. I hold a BA (Hons) in Popular Music & Recording, and additional qualifications in Sound Therapy, Music Therapy, ASD, and Children & Young People’s Mental Health.

My passion is helping children and young people develop their musical skills, confidence, and creativity in a supportive and encouraging environment.

💖 Thank You

Thank you for being part of the Layston Music Family. Your support makes all the difference, and we can’t wait to see our students thrive this term, whether it’s learning new pieces, building technique, or preparing for the Winter Shindig!

Warmest wishes,

Talena 🎶