Beginner Wind Band
Directors: Caroline Billington, Neil Scott
Room: The Drama Studio
Time: 10.30 - 11.30
Beginner - Grade 2
The Beginner Wind Band is run by Caroline Billington and Neil Scott. It is designed for beginner brass, woodwind and percussion players who have already been taught how to hold their instrument and how to play their first few notes. These pupils will continue to attend this band up until they have reached grade 2 standard. The music performed by this band varies from pop, film, modern to traditional and gives pupils a super introduction to the enjoyment of playing in a group rather than as individuals. Pupils graduate from this Band to the Junior Wind Band.
Junior Wind Band
Directors: Caroline Billington, Neil Scott
Room: Hall
Time: 9.00 - 10.15
Grade 2 - Grade 4
The Junior Wind Band is run by Caroline Billington and Neil Scott. It is designed for brass, woodwind and percussion players who are studying at grade 2-4. This band is designed to give the players a more challenging programme of music and a more varied account of ensemble playing in preparation for Senior Concert Band. The repertoire is a selection of pop, film, modern and traditional music.
Concert Band
Director: Michael Howley
Room: Hall
Time: 11.00 - 12.00
Grade 4 upwards
The Senior Concert Band consists of players from Grade 4 standard upwards and has recently released its 2nd CD called 'FILMHARMONIC' which has been a huge success and been sold in such far off places as Sweden, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S.A.
The band performs regularly and plays to an extremely high standard. Many progress to playing in the Premier Groups provided by the Wakefield Music Service.
Big Band
Director: Michael Howley
Room: Drama Studio
Time: 9.30 - 10.15
Grade 4 upwards
The Big Band is a senior group which gives players from the Senior Concert Band, who are at grade 4 standard and above, the opportunity to play jazz, Big Band classics and modern funk.
String Orchestra
Directors: Kirsty Rhodes
Room: L4L1
Time: 10.30 - 12.00
Grade 1 upwards
The String Orchestra is run by Kirsty Rhodes. It takes children from approximately Grade one upwards and it's aim is to develop string orchestra playing. It plays a wide range of music from folk to classic to jazz, which shows how diverse the group is.
Intermediate Strings
Director: Rebecca Mellings, Oona Hall
Room: Social Area
Time: 10.30 - 11.45
One year of playing to Grade 1
The Junior Violin and Viola group is run by Rebecca Mellings. It is aimed at pupils who have been playing for one year up to Grade 1 standard. It offers the opportunity for pupils to gain confidence and experience as they progress towards the stage where they can benefit from the challenges of playing in a string orchestra.
Beginner Strings
Directors: Rebecca Mellings, Kirsty Rhodes
Room: Social Area
Time: 9.00 - 10.00
First Year of playing
This group is run by Rebecca Mellings and Kirsty Rhodes and takes children who have had only a few lessons and helps them along their first steps of playing a stringed instrument. This is done through lots of games and music. It's main aim is to compliment the basic technical and music work done in their lessons at school. We find that children who attend this group progress at a much faster rate than children who do not attend Music Centre.
Lower String Ensemble
Director: Oona Hall
Room: L4L2
Time: 9.00-10.15
Beginner upwards
If you are a cellist or double bass player, this is a rare opportunity for you, young or old, to enjoy making music together. Now a well established ensemble, the membership of the group continues to grow with ages ranging from nine to eighteen. Starting with open string beginners and going up to Grade 3 standard, a varied selection of music is used from traditional to classical and pop. Throw in some games and exercises to build up technique, musicianship and ensemble skills and you have a great morning's playing to look forward to.
Chamber Group
Director: Kirsty Rhodes
Room L4L2
Time: 9.30-10.15
Grade 4+
Students are invited from Senior Strings to attend the Chamber Group. A variety of repertoire is covered from popular classics to music of the Baroque era. The group plays to a very high standard and many students progress to playing in the premiere groups offered by Wakefield Music Services.
