Plymouth Youth Music Ensembles

Plymouth Youth Concert Band

The Plymouth Youth Concert Band, currently numbering some 40 young players, meets on most Wednesday evenings in term time from 6pm to 8pm at the Space For Sports and Arts (SSA), Plym View Primary School, Blandford Road, Efford, Plymouth PL3 6JA.

The band is directed by Barrie Mills, Music Tuition Co-ordinator for the Music Service and former Director of Music of the Plymouth Royal Marines Band. Players of any wind band instrument of Grade III Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) standard or above, are welcome to come along. The band repertoire includes traditional band music, music from movies and shows and challenging contemporary stuff.

The band performs regularly in public including numerous city centre appearances. They have participated in the regional heat of the Youth Music Festival at Exeter and recently gave a concert in aid of National Children’s Homes in Plymouth.

Rehearsals for the autumn term continue on Wednesday 10 September 2008 at 6pm. Exciting future plans include a weekend workshop with the Light Cavalry Band in Dorset and more public concerts in Plymouth and, in due course, summer schools and a tour.

Plymouth Beginners Youth Orchestra

The Plymouth Beginners Youth Orchestra will commence in September 2008. Players of all orchestral instruments with little or no ensemble experience on their instruments are very welcome. There are no fees for joining this ensemble. All we ask for is bags of enthusiasm and real commitment! Rehearsals will take place on alternate Thursday evenings from 4.15pm to 5.30pm at Yealmpstone Farm Primary School, Meadowfield Place, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 1XQ. The orchestra is directed by Tania Thornhill, an experienced professional musician who has considerable experience with youth ensembles. Rehearsals during the autumn term are fortnightly, commencing Thursday 18 September.

Plymouth Junior Youth Orchestra

The Plymouth Junior Youth Orchestra was launched in January 2007 and currently has over 30 members aged eight to 16. We are looking for players of all orchestral instruments with at least one years experience on their instrument. We have established an ensemble with true potential to grow in the coming years as members gain more skills. There are no fees for joining this ensemble. All we ask for is bags of enthusiasm and real commitment!

Rehearsals take place on alternate Wednesday evenings from 4.15pm to 5.30pm at the SSA. The Orchestra is directed by Peter Twyman, assisted by Victoria van der Vliet, both of whom are professional musicians having considerable experience with youth ensembles. Rehearsals during the autumn term are fortnightly, continuing from Wednesday 10 September 2008.

Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra

The Plymouth Intermediate Youth Orchestra was launched on 25 March 2008 with the aim of providing more experienced players with a challenging and interesting musical ensemble experience.

They are looking for strings players especially of Grade III to V ABRSM standard. Rehearsals take place on alternate Wednesday evenings from 4.15pm to 5.30pm at the SSA. The Orchestra is directed by Peter Twyman, assisted by Victoria van der Vliet, both of whom have considerable experience with youth ensembles. Rehearsals during the autumn term are fortnightly, continuing from Wednesday 17 September 2008.

As with all Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS) ensembles, performance opportunities are very much a part of the focus and the Intermediate Orchestra will be playing at the next annual PYMS concert in January 2009 and at other venues in the near future.

Plymouth Youth Big Band

The Plymouth Youth Big band is now firmly established as an ensemble in it’s own right and has participated in a number of concerts. It is directed by Dave Lambert and Andy Miller, both very experienced jazz and big band players. Rehearsals are on alternate Mondays, continuing on Monday 8 September 2008 from 6pm to 8pm at the SSA. If you are Grade III ABRSM or equivalent player and are interested in jazz and the big band style, why not go along and see them.

Plymouth Youth Guitar Ensemble

Plymouth Youth Music Service has created a new opportunity for young guitarists who have progressed beyond being absolute beginners.

The Wider Opportunities Scheme, currently operating in 55 schools, has produced a keen body of such players who will benefit from this new initiative. The guitar ensemble will be led by Tony Clarke and Steve Connolly who have been key figures in the recent developments of opportunities for young guitarists in Plymouth. Rehearsals will continue at Eggbuckland Vale Primary School from 4.15pm to 5.30pm commencing on Thursday 11 September 2008.

Soundhouse Youth Brass Band

Soundhouse Brass, based at the Soundhouse, Estover Community College has launched a youth brass band for young brass players in Plymouth.

The band meets on Thursdays from 6pm to 7.30pm during term time and is directed by Steve Williams, a renowned trumpet-player and former Royal Marines musician. Players of all ability levels are welcome, even absolute beginners.

For more details or information on any of theses ensembles, please contact the Music Tuition Co-ordinator, Barrie Mills on mobile telephone 07789 923398 or email bmills@lipson.plymouth.sch.uk.

Those interested in joining any of the Plymouth Youth Music Service Ensembles should ask their parents/carers to contact the Music Tuition Co-ordinator, Plymouth Youth Music Service. Alternatively please complete and send in the enrolment form, which can be downloaded from the documents table below.

Documents

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Student enrolment form - this form should be used by students interested in joining any of the Plymouth youth music service ensembles. File Format Adobe Acrobat (pdf) - 60KB

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