DMS KNOWLE Celebrates 40 Years of Music Education

Established in 1985, Dorridge Music School was based in Dorridge for 25 years before moving to Knowle 15 years ago. This year - 2025 - sees the award winning music academy celebrate ‘40 Years of Music Education.’

Husband and wife team Peter Angelides and Leigh Perry have both worked in the music business their whole lives both performing and teaching and their hard work and dedication has brought about the success story that is DMS. The school has organised many concerts over the years, with the first ever being in the window of Dorridge music school in Forest Court in Dorridge. Then it was on to Solihull library theatre, now the Core theatre, but the dream became reality when the first of many concerts entitled ‘a fusion of music and dance’

produced by Leigh and showcasing the schools students took to the stage at Birmingham’s Prestigious Symphony Hall. It was ambitious taking on such a massive event with over 300 performers to rehearse and organise, with celebrity guest artists including Astro and Brian Travers from UB40, Richard and Adam of XFactor fame and of course rock legend Bev Bevan, but it was amazing when we walked out onto that stage.

The concerts have raised over £14,000 for many local charities including one very close to Leigh and Petes hearts - Birmingham Dogs Home, where DMS have a brick in the wall.

Bev Bevan drummer with Black Sabbath, ELO and still touring with local band Quill became the schools Patron some 10 years ago.

The concerts haven’t been without their blips. One year whilst three quarters of the way through the show (at The Core) there was a power cut and everyone was evacuated into the courtyard outside, torches were held and everyone spontaneously sang One Voice!

There have been a few awards along the way with two in particular being really special. Leigh was awarded ‘Business woman of the year’, at the Birmingham Awards in 2016 and chosen for the ‘lifetime achievement award’ in 2019 from Ladies first.

When COVID hit in 2020 DMS did adapt prey much overnight, teaching online until we could fully reopen and lessons went back to face to face.

Pupils have come and gone over the years. We have taught children from 5 years old and watched them grow and leave for University. In some cases, as with Leigh’s group ‘The Elite’ (a grade 6 and above ensemble) pupils have returned as adults with their own careers and restarted lessons, which is a lovely feeling.

There have been some real success stories too. Niall Fennell started learning drums at DMS aged just 7. He worked through his grades and as many of our post grade 8 students do, joined us as part of the teaching team. He is now Head of our drum and guitar department and one of his students is about to join DMS as a teacher. Niall is a talented musician and also joined a local band ‘The Clause’ who have been signed and are performing very successfully at fesvals around the UK and Europe. They have also been featured on BBC Introducing .

Our new DMS juniors band known as ‘GAS’ recently won their schools music talent contest! They have learned music from lile 5 year olds, and grown into 8 year old mini musicians. They all gained high grades at both their step 1 and 2 exams with the LCM and are now working for grade 1.

Students travel to DMS from far and wide and 40 years on Leigh takes great pleasure in providing music education to all, personally sll teaching 70 pupils a week with Pete teaching around 35.

The school has recently relocated to 4 Chester Court, High Street in Knowle, right in the heart of the village and opposite Cheal’s restaurant, with Knowle primary school to the rear where there is free parking.

In light of the tragic events in Southport last year, the new premises have been chosen for several reasons including it being highly secure, keeping all students and staff safe. As well as being a registered charity, DMS is a registered examination centre where students achieve exceptional exam results.