Huntingdonshire Music School Association - Perform

For the last few summers we’ve organised trips at the beginning of the summer holidays. These are always lively and consist of a mixture of performance, sight-seeing and plain old social relaxation. To date we’ve been to Wertheim (Germany)/Paris [2006], Kirchheim (Austria) [2007] and this summer we travelled to the Isle of Man [2008].

The planning is now well under way for the 2009 trip to Norfolk and is open to anyone at the school. Not everyone who goes on these trips plays - they tend to be very much family affairs. As Norfolk is relatively close to home it will enable some to join us for a short time and return home. This hasn’t been possible for the longer trips overseas and as a result some folks have missed out.

The likely locations are:-

• Forum (Norwich library)
• St Stephen"s Church, Norwich
• Aylsham Church - joint performance with The Ipswich & Norwich Brass Band
• Mannington Hall & Gardens

At present, ensembles include group theory and aural lessons, 2 Orchestras, 5 Bands and 8 Ensembles. Other ensemble and group playing is encouraged and regular concerts are held in and out of College.

The current groups are:-

Ensembles

• Brass Ensemble
• Choir - Coming Soon (beginning 2010)
• Flute Choir
• Guitar Ensemble
• Intermediate Brass Ensemble
• Saxophone Ensemble
• Senior String Ensemble
• String Ensemble
• Woodwind Ensemble

Bands

• Bluegrass
• Intermediate Concert Band
• Junior Rock Band
• Preparatory Concert band
• Rock Band
• Senior Concert Band
• Big Band

Orchestras

• Junior Orchestra
• Senior Orchestra

The list is fairly fluid as we encourage those with a similar interest to start their own groups.

Students can enter for practical and theory exams from beginner to diploma lessons. Exams are held at Huntingdonshire College every term.

Everyone at the music school gets the opportunity to play in one or more groups whether they be an ensemble, band, or orchestra. These cover musical style ranging from classical, swing to rock. Depending on the enthusiasm of potential musicians, new ones are being added - for example the rock band(s) are new and permanent fixtures and this year saw the first performance of the flute choir.

Unlike most other musical institutes, there is no mandated minimum grade or level to attain before you are allowed to join in. This does not mean that the standard of playing is lowered - far from it (bands such as the Swing Band play in paying fixtures and are in great demand). Your music teacher will normally suggest when it is sensible for you to join in. When starting out you are not expected to be able to play every note - so long as you play the ones you do know at the right time and keep quiet at other times then others will be none the wiser;-)

Group work is an integral part of the day in addition to the music lessons and theory. In fact one of the real benefit of this college is that you do play in groups (almost impossible to get this sort of experience otherwise as an adult) as part of the package.

You can play in as many groups as you’ve the time and energy for, for the same small amount.

You don’t have to take lessons in order to join a group. We also have Associate Members who either take lessons elsewhere (or not at all!) and who simply join us for group playing. See the current set of ensemb;es, bands and orchestras...