Beginner, Junior and Intermediate Strings
Pupils progress from Beginner to Junior Strings after one year and then to Intermediate Strings according to their rate of progress (usually a further one to two years). They then have to work consistently to reach grade 4/5 standard in order to audition for the Senior Strings.
Senior Strings
This represents the pinnacle of music centre achievement for string players. This group performs to a high standard at concerts locally, in other areas of England and has taken part in four foreign tours, to Austria, Spain and Italy, performing in churches and other prestigious venues. In England they have visited North Yorkshire many times but also Bristol and South Devon. They have taken part in many fund raising events and been involved with a number of charities, most recently, the Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract. This group always has a musical tour in July and a rehearsal weekend at Haworth Youth Hostel in March or April. In the Summer of 2007 the Senior Strings enjoyed a very successful tour to Ayr in Scotland, as guests of the Head of Instrumental Services for East Ayrshire, Paul Wood. In 2008 together with the Senior Wind Band, we went on a successful tour to Lake Garda.
Wind Bands
Our wind groups have developed greatly over the last few years and we now have a beginner group for elementary players. Players move from the Beginner Band to the Junior Band at around Grade 1 standard and to the Senior Wind Band when they achieve Grade 3. The Senior Windband toured with the Senior Strings to Austria in 2001. In 2006 they made a wonderful tour of Barcelona and its surroundings, joining together with associates from Ossett Music Centre. Most recently, together with the Senior Strings, they went on a wonderful trip to Lake Garda. They have grown in size to around sixty players and their repertoire covers everything from classical to pop.
Big Band
This group was introduced in November 2003. Originally starting off with one saxophone and five brass players, the group now has more than twenty members! We perform a varied repertoire of traditional swing, rock/pop and Latin American music. We are also fortunate to have had a series of very talented female singers who perform anything from Ella Fitzgerald to Norah Jones. Pupils range from Grade 3 to Grade 8 standard.
