At CMAc, we offer time for more intensive and focused specialist ensembles to complement the Orchestra and Singers. CMAc takes place at the College on Wednesdays, from immediately after school until 4.45 pm.

In recent years, we have been very fortunate to secure external funding through the Devon Music Education Hub (DMEH) to support instrumental and vocal ensembles for pupils in Key Stages 2 to 4. As a result, the termly subscription is only £20 per musician.

To register for CMAc, please complete the  CMAc Registration Form.

Pupils either remain at the College at the end of the school day or join us from their primary schools. Pupils must be collected by 4.45pm.

CMAc Brass, CMAc Woodwind, CMAc Strings and the CMAc Choir are led by our visiting instrumental staff: Miss Stroud, Mr Davie, Mr Smith and Mrs Craddock. All have extensive experience and are overseen by Mr Miners, the College Director of Music.

If you are interested in becoming part of CMAc, please speak with Mr Miners. No prior experience is required for the CMAc Choir; however, basic instrumental proficiency and the ability to read music are required for all instrumental ensembles.

Mrs Craddock teaches Violin, Viola, Cello and Keyboard at the College.

Since graduating in 2000 with a BA (Hons) degree in music, I have provided violin, viola, cello and electronic keyboard tuition in primary and secondary schools, including sixth form, across North and Mid Devon. I bring years of experience as an orchestral, chamber and theatre pit musician to my role and aim to inspire students through my skills and knowledge. As a child growing up in South Yorkshire, I had the privilege of playing and performing with the Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds orchestra from the age of 12. Rehearsing and performing alongside university students under the baton of Professor Patric Standford and Professor Clive Brown from such a young age gave me invaluable experience.

I have been an instrumental music tutor at Chulmleigh Academy Trust since 2004. Working across all four academy schools, teaching pupils from Reception through to Year 11, I thoroughly enjoy working with the full age range of pupils and continuing their tuition as they transition from primary to secondary education. I am a specialist tutor at the Trust’s CMAc after-school music academy.

My tuition is very much focussed on the individual's needs, tailoring lessons to suit each pupil’s musical preferences and aims. All musical genres are offered, including classical, baroque, folk, jazz, film, pop, rock, soul, Motown and hits from the musicals. I am very experienced at preparing pupils for ABRSM practical and theory exams as well as Trinity College and GCSE music performances.

I have a particular interest in the benefits of music for pupils with SEND; this stems from my time spent studying music therapy as part of my degree. Whether pupils wish to play for fun and relaxation or choose to take their studies through to a GCSE music course or exams, I aim to ensure that my lessons are as inclusive as possible; I work to meet the requirements of each individual pupil to maximise their enjoyment and the benefits they gain from their tuition.

Away from music, my interests include upholstery, dressmaking and pastel painting, together with 18th and 19th century literature.

Miss Stroud studied music at the University of Manchester with the bassoon as her first study instrument. After leaving university and achieving a PGCE, she taught music in a secondary school in Manchester but, after two years, decided to pursue a career in performance. She now teaches singing, piano and bassoon across Devon, and gigs as a singer, pianist and guitarist at the weekends for pubs, weddings and events. Miss Stroud has always had a passion for singing and music making, no matter what genre, and aims to share her passion for this through her enthusiasm for teaching, creating encouraging and fun rehearsals and lessons for all. She also runs the CMAC choir on Wednesdays. 

Outside of music making, Miss Stroud loves taking her crazy labrador Luna out on hikes or to the beach. She also loves cooking and going out for food, especially seafood!

Mr Smith is our resident teacher of all things woodwind, including Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder and Oboe.  He also directs the CMAc Woodwind Ensemble.

Kevin teaches all varieties of guitar and bass guitar at the College. He is also a very accomplished performer and composer and jointly runs our Jazz Club.

Mr Rattenbury is our very popular Drum Kit teacher at the College, where he has been teaching for at least 10 years. 

Nick grew up playing trumpet and guitar / bass in a variety of different contexts. From Jazz, to Classical, all the way to rock metal he has been working on his versatility as a musician for almost all his life.

After the break-up of his semi-successful Indie band, Luna Blue (who shared stages with artists such as McFly, Kasabian, Royal Blood, and Ash), his musical adventure continues to press further into music production and the vast world of Metal music.

Nick has been teaching musical instruments since he was 16, in primary schools around his area, and continued this way of earning during his university experience at Chichester. His teaching career has taken many forms including peripatetic and classroom, receiving his PGCE in 2022.

Nick is highly experienced within his field and offers a nurturing musical education, while also integrating that progress comes from the pupil making time for the instrument.

Nick's other interests include Film / TV / Video Games, Water Sports such as Scuba Diving, and a keen interest in natural history and evolution. 2 of these interests often meet together, as he regularly visits his family in Florida to open water scuba dive with Sharks and other aquatic life.

Nick loves to find out about his pupils, discussing their interests and their music tastes, using common ground to cater to instrumental progress. This has been one of the most rewarding things about instrumental teaching, as every pupil is different and will want to learn differently, depending on their taste in music.