Birmingham Music Service - Central Ensembles – 2013/14 BRASS BANDS BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS’ TRAINING BRASS BAND: conductor Paul Douglas, rehearses on Thursday evenings at Swanshurst School, Brook Lane, Billesley, B13 OTW, from 6.00pm - 7.45pm. This ensemble – created in 2009, comprises all brass instruments (including French horns) and provides parts for trombones and tubas in both treble and bass clefs. BSTBB offers the opportunity to young brass players to rehearse and perform a variety of exciting repertoire. Players normally progress from this ensemble into the Concert Brass Band, Training Wind or Concert Band. Minimum standard for entry is from Grade 2 with players in the group up to about Grade 3. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS’ CONCERT BRASS BAND: conductor Peter Fisher, rehearses on Monday evenings at Swanshurst School, Brook Lane, Billesley, B13 OTW from 6.30pm - 8.45pm. This ensemble comprises the same instrumentation as the Brass Band. BSCBB offers the opportunity to developing brass players to rehearse and perform traditional and modem brass band repertoire. Players normally progress from this ensemble into the Brass Band. The standard for entry is from Grade 4 upwards. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS’ BRASS BAND: Patron – Steven Mead, conductor Martin Orgill, rehearses on Thursday evenings at Warwick House, 10 Edward St, Birmingham, B1 2RX from 6.45 – 9.00pm. BSBB own a complete set of professional quality instruments that consist of Soprano Cornet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Baritone Horn, Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium and Eb and Bb Tuba. All members are able to have a free loan of these excellent instruments. The Brass Band performs in a number of public concerts each year. Recent highlights include a joint concert with the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, a workshop and concert with the international virtuosi Euphonium soloist and patron Steven Mead and a performance in the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music for Youth – Schools Prom. The minimum standard for entry is equivalent to grade 6. GUITAR ENSEMBLES BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' TRAINING GUITAR ENSEMBLE: director Adam Hickman, rehearses on Thursday evenings at St Luke`s Church Centre, Great Colmore St, Lee Bank, B15 2AT from 6.00 – 7.30pm. Formed in September 2009 the group aims to provide ensemble experience for guitarists working between Grades 2-3. BSTGE have performed at the Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham. Although Classical technique and posture are used, the repertoire covers a wide variety of styles. The group members are aged between 8 and 13 years old. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS’ GUITAR SINFONIA: Director Frances Griffin, meets at St. Luke`s Church Centre, Great Colmore St, Lee Bank, B15 2AT on Thursdays from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. This group caters for the large number of young guitarists who have reached around grade 4 standard, and who require ensemble experience. Although players use Spanish guitars, and adopt classical posture and technique, various styles of music are rehearsed and performed, including jazz and ragtime, as well as traditional guitar repertoire. Each year the group has at least two opportunities to perform. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' GUITAR ENSEMBLE: Patron Simon Dinnigan, director Nick Chamberlain, meets at St Luke`s Church Centre, Great Colmore St, Lee Bank, B15 2AT on Thursdays from 6.00 – 8.00pm. The average age is between 13 and 17 and the minimum entry standard is Grade 6. A knowledge of chords is useful. A wide range of repertoire is covered and includes larger works in classical style, as well as arrangements of popular standards and contemporary works. Each year the group have many opportunities to perform and take part in workshops; also, several new works have been commissioned for the group recently, creating a varied and exciting repertoire. JAZZ ENSEMBLES BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' TRAINING JAZZ ENSEMBLE: directed by Ciaran O`Donnell, comprises the same instrumentation as the Jazz Ensemble, and provides an opportunity for less experienced players to develop basic skills in jazz playing and improvisation in a big band context. The ensemble is very good fun and provides a great musical experience. Saxophone and brass players should be a minimum Grade 4 standard, and rhythm section players should have a good basic technique, and be able to read music. The age range is from 11 – 16. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at Warwick House, 10 Edward St, Birmingham, B1 2RX from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' JAZZ ENSEMBLE: Director John Ruddick, comprises approximately 18 players aged between 15 and 19 years. The ensemble covers a wide range of big band styles, and develops skills in jazz playing and improvisation. Saxophonists should be a minimum of Grade 6/7 and brass players should be a minimum of Grade 6 standard, pianists Grade 7-8 standard, with an understanding of harmonic progressions, and rhythm section players should have a well-developed technique, and be good music readers. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at Warwick House, 10 Edward St, Birmingham, B1 2RX from 6.30pm – 8.30pm PERCUSSION & WORLD MUSIC BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' TRAINING PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: Director Sarah Chatt, rehearses at Swanshurst School, Brook Lane, Billesley, B13 OTW on Tuesdays from 5.15pm – 6.30pm. Members have the opportunity to play specialised repertoire, enabling them to learn extended techniques on a wide variety of instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, orchestral and ethnic percussion. The ensemble gives several public performances each year and entry level is approximately Grade 2.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: Director Vicky Lee, rehearses at Swanshurst School, Brook Lane, Billesley, B13 OTW on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Members have the opportunity to play specialised repertoire, enabling them to learn extended techniques on a wide variety of instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, orchestral and ethnic percussion. The ensemble gives several public performances each year and entry level is approximately Grade 5/6. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' AZAAD DHOL GROUP: Directed by Harjit Singh, caters for Intermediate to Advanced level players of Dhol, Bhangra and Folk music. The instruments played in the group are Dhol, tabla, dholak, harmonium, tumbi, chimta and Bhangra. They have performed locally and nationally all over the UK; they have also appeared on Howard Goodall’s music series on Channel 4 and the Guinness Book of Records in May 2009 with 632 Drummers. The age range is 10 – 18yr and girls and boys with some experience in one of the above instruments or dance may apply for audition. The group rehearse at King Edward VI Girls School, Rosehill Rd Handsworth, B21 9AR, on Mondays from 5.00pm – 6.30pm. Term time only. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' STEEL BAND: Director: Stephon Phillip rehearses on Mondays from 5.30 – 6.45pm at Kings Norton Primary School, Pershore Rd South, Kings Norton B30 3EU and on Wednesdays from 5.30 – 6.45pm at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Earlsbury Gardens, Birchfield, B20 3AE. The band caters for more advanced steel pan players who will have attended Kings Norton or North Area Steel Bands. The members of the two rehearsal groups combine for performances. STRING ORCHESTRAS & FULL ORCHESTRAS BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' JUNIOR STRING ORCHESTRA: Conductor Helen Brookes rehearses on Saturdays from 9.15am – 11.45am at Chilwell Croft Academy, Chilwell Croft, Newtown Birmingham, B19 2QH. The orchestra welcomes nominations from all string players in primary schools (Y6 and below), with a minimum entry requirement of Grade 3 standard. The ensemble is run with a "friendly and fun" approach in order to encourage members to develop into confident orchestral string players. The musicians enjoy many different styles of music including popular classics, TV & film scores, new arrangements and original compositions. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' STRING SINFONIA: Conductor Ed Smith, rehearses on Saturdays from 9.30am -12.00pm at Chilwell Croft Academy, Chilwell Croft, Newtown Birmingham, B19 2QH. The Orchestra caters for string players with an entry standard of Grade 4/5 and at present the age range is 10 - 16. The music played covers many styles from Baroque and Classical to more recent popular music, including film and TV themes, we have been fortunate to perform music composed and arranged by local musicians. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' CONCERT ORCHESTRA: rehearses on Saturdays at King Edward VI Girls School, Rosehill Rd Handsworth, B21 9AR from 9.30am - 12.30pm under the direction of Bob Vivian. The average standard in all sections is Grade 6 upwards. This large orchestra performs a varied and contrasting repertoire of film, TV and show music, as well as light popular classics. BSCO has performed in many concert halls including the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, London. Guest conductors have included Sir Simon Rattle, and the late Ron Goodwin, who was their Patron until 2003. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Patron Sir Simon Rattle, is conducted by Michael Seal and various guest conductors. The Orchestra rehearses at King Edward VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston Park Road. Birmingham. B15 2UB on Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm. It has a national reputation for quality performances of standard orchestral repertoire, usually with professional guest soloists. The minimum entry standard is Grade 7. The orchestra has performed in many major venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as the Adrian Boult Hall and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. Recent concert tours have been to Barcelona (2010) Estonia in (2012) and they are visiting Germany in 2014 VOCAL GROUPS BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' MUSIC THEATRE CHOIR: is a choir of auditioned, nominated vocal students aged from year 8 to year 13. They meet for regular workshop days throughout the school year under the direction of Choral Animateurs Ruth Roberts and Helen Smith at Warwick House, 10 Edward St, Birningham, B1 2RX. They are a high-energy group of vocalists keen to achieve their vocal potential. Singers have the opportunity to develop, stage and perform a wealth of traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire. Members need to have had experience in singing in choirs and vocal training to participate. Singing in parts and reading music is developed in rehearsals. CB YOUNG VOICES is one of the most exciting youth choirs in Britain and provides the highest standards of vocal and choral training to singers of any ability at secondary school age. Led by internationally known conductor David Lawrence, Young Voices aims to represent the city’s cultural diversity, and to introduce its members to a rich variety of musical styles whilst collaborating with the UK's finest professional musicians. Young Voices meets every Thursday evening during term time at the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF from 5.00pm to 7.00pm and no audition is required. If you are interested in coming along to a Young Voices rehearsal please contact Becky Woodcock 07976 207302 or email CBSOYV@gmail.com WIND ENSEMBLES BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' RECORDER ENSEMBLE: meets at Ladywood Community Centre, St. Vincent St West, Ladywood, B16 8RP from 9.30am - 11.30am on Saturday mornings under the direction of Karen Moore. The Ensemble is a friendly group who play a matched set of recorders provided by the Music Service. The players vary in age from 8 to 13, and are approximately Grade 1- 4 in standard. During the past years the ensemble has played many varied styles of music scored for descant, treble and tenor recorders, and has taken part in many concerts.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' RECORDER SINFONIA: meets at Ladywood Community Centre, St. Vincent St West, Ladywood, B16 8RP on Saturday mornings from 9.30am - 12.00pm with Conductor: Michelle Holloway. The Sinfonia is a tightly knit group, which rehearses and performs a varied repertoire, from the 16th Century to the avant-garde, including a number of specially commissioned works. The Music Service provides a matching set of wooden recorders from the tiny ‘Garkleinflötlein’ to the Contra Bass. Players should normally be of about Grade 5 standard or above, but the most important qualification is a strong commitment to the recorder as a serious instrument. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' FLUTE SINFONIA: Conductor Craig Holmes, rehearses at Selly Park Technology College for Girls on Saturday mornings from 9.30 – 12.00noon. Members have the opportunity to play a range of flutes from piccolo to bass. Entry level is approximately Grade 3/4 Associated Board. Age group ranges from 9 to 17 years and players may progress from here to the Concert Band. WIND ORCHESTRAS BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' TRAINING WIND ORCHESTRA: meets at Selly Park Technology College for Girls, 5 Selly Park Rd, B29 7PH on Saturdays from 9.30am - 12.00pm and is conducted by Helen Smith. This ensemble, with normal wind orchestra instrumentation (woodwind, brass and percussion) will, for most of the players, provide their first experience in a full size wind orchestra after playing in an Area Ensemble. Players are expected to have reached Grade 3+ standard. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' CONCERT BAND: Conductor Peter Fisher, comprises 65 players who rehearse on Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.00pm at Swanshurst School, Brook Lane, Billesley, B13 OTW. This ensemble, which has normal wind orchestra instrumentation, covers a wide variety of styles, and gives several public performances during the academic year. Woodwind, brass and percussion players are expected to be at a minimum standard of Grade 4+. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS' WIND ORCHESTRA: meets from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays at Ladywood Community Centre, St. Vincent St West, Ladywood, B16 8RP under the direction of Adrian Taylor. This orchestra comprises woodwind (including saxophones), brass and percussion instruments, and plays a wide range of musical styles, including original compositions, arrangements of well-known orchestral items, as well as more popular concert band pieces. The entry standard is Grade 5 for brass players and Grade 6/7 for woodwind players.