YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Fridays   6.30-9.00pm

Standard: Grade 6+

Membership by audition in Summer Term, or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

The Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Orchestra was formed in 1975 and celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a highly acclaimed performance of Mahler’s 6th Symphony. This was the latest in a series which has included the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and and 5th Symphonies by the same composer.       

 The Orchestra has been on many highly successful tours including those to Stuttgart, Arhensburg, Vienna and Edinburgh.   In 1990, the Orchestra was fortunate to have Dr. Alun Francis (formerly Principal Conductor of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra) as a guest Conductor.  He has since maintained his connection with the Orchestra and, in 1993, was appointed the Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate.  The Orchestra has also been fortunate to work with Mark Wigglesworth, the former Music Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.  

 In July 1998, the Orchestra competed in the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna and was placed joint second.  In 1999, the Orchestra was invited to take part in the 20th Edinburgh Festival of British Youth Orchestras where it won the prestigious Boosey and Hawkes Youth Orchestra Award.    

The Youth Orchestra on tour in Italy

As the result of its success in Scotland, the Orchestra was invited to perform at an International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Florence and subsequently performed at this Festival in July 2002.  Prior to this visit to Florence, the Orchestra was informed that it had won a major award in the Sainsbury’s Youth Orchestra Series.   The Orchestra returned to Italy in July 2004 where they took part in three music festivals.  They performed at the prestigious Riva del Garda Festival, the first non-professional ensemble to be invited to appear there, as well as at festivals in Vipiteno and Salo. 

YOUTH WIND BAND

Tuesdays   6.30-9.00pm

Standard: Grade 6+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.  

The Youth Wind Band at the Music for Youth festival in Symphony Hall, Birmingham

YOUTH BRASS BAND

 Fridays   6.15-8.45pm

Standard: Grade 6+

Membership usually either by audition in Summer Term or selection from previous Brass Band

The Youth Brass Band was formed in 1974 since which time it has enjoyed a reputation for its high standards of performance. Each year the Band gives concerts at some of the most prestigious venues including St David’s Hall, Llandaff Cathedral and the City Hall, Cardiff. The YBB has toured extensively in Europe and the USA. Its most recent tour was to Canada with concerts in Quebec and Ontario. The Band has also performed in various Disney theme parks, and is a regular visitor to the Harwich Festival.

The Youth Brass Band at the Christmas Showcase 07 - St David's Hall

YOUTH CHOIR

Thursdays   6.60-8.30pm

Membership by audition in Summer Term or by appointment afterwards only if places still available.

 The Youth Choir is currently going from strength to strength and currently has over 90 members. It has increased in membership by over 100% since January 2005 and now has a good balance of singers, able to sing music from many styles and periods. In 2006 the choir hosted a joint concert with the Pennsbury Singers from Pensylvania, U.S.A when over 150 voices sang together. They also performed with the County Youth Orchestra in the annual Christmas Celebration at City Hall Cardiff.

The Youth Choir at St David's Hall

 YOUTH BIG BAND (JAZZ NEWS)

Thursdays   6.30-9.00

Membership by audition in Summer Term or by appointment afterwards only if places still available.

  'Jazz News' caters for young people aged from 14-18 and plays a broad spectrum of music from the classic ‘big band’ repertoire to modern rock and funk. It has performed extensively throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, mainly for charitable events such as the Noah’s Ark Appeal but also for more formal functions.

The Youth Big Band at the Music for Youth Festival March 08

The Band was very proud to take part in the last three BAFTA Cymru awards ceremony at the CIA where they were received with great enthusiasm. The Band aims to make music fun, to entertain and to give band members the opportunity to perform music in as many different styles as possible.

 In July 2008 the Youth Big Band performed at the National finals for Music for Youth in Symphony Hall Birmingham.

SYMPHONIC BRASS http://www.ccvgsymphonicbrass.org/

Fridays   5.00-6.15

Standard: Grade 7+ for most instruments

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

 Symphonic Brass was founded by Arwel Jenkins in 1991 to give the County's leading school-age brass players the opportunity to play chamber music to the highest standards. The ten-piece ensemble, which has been directed by Matthew Thistlewood since 1993, performs a wide range of music from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary scores.

The group is made up of 14 - 18 year old musicians. Symphonic Brass has performed throughout the UK and also abroad, at major venues such as London's Barbican Hall, and Millennium Dome and the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham. Their busy schedule has included concert trips to Norway (1999), Isle of Man (2003) and appearances at the Edinburgh & Glasgow Festival of Youth Orchestras (1996, 1999 & 2001). Other tours and trips have included Kent (1995 & 1996); London (1997 & 2000); Birmingham (2005); Swansea (2006).

Symphonic Brass at City Hall Cardiff

The group's versatility has seen it appear at a wide range of events in addition to the usual concerts. They have performed a ceremonial role at many events such as Cardiff County Council's Freedom of the City ceremonies, opening ceremonies and major conferences including the European Congress of Palliative Care.

Over the years, many from the ensemble have represented Wales as members of the National Youth Orchestra, Brass Band or Wind Orchestra and some have also become members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. A significant number have gone on to study music at university or music college and then into professional music making.

Highlights of CCVG Symphonic Brass's current season included a lunchtime concert at The Gate in February and a trip to York in May which saw them perform in the National Rail Museum and York Minster.

In October 2008 it will perform at the CAGAC - Music Services Wales Conference in City Hall Cardiff

ADVANCED PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE 

Saturdays  9.00-10.00

Members must be already having percussion/drum kit lessons 

The Percussion Ensembles were formed 14 years ago. Celi Evans, a part-time percussion tutor with the Music Service has been running them since May 2003.

The Advanced Percussion Ensemble performing at the Spring Showcase 07

HIGH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA

Saturdays   10.00am-12.30pm

Standard: Grade 4+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

 The Orchestra currently has 115 members. Most years the Orchestra includes in its concerts music written for it by young composers who are members of the Orchestra. In recent years, the Orchestra has given a number of concerts in the Vale of Glamorgan - at the Memorial Hall, Barry and at Cowbridge Leisure Centre as well as St David's Hall.    

The High School's Orchestra in rehearsal at St David's Hall

In March each year, the Orchestra holds a ‘Young Musician of the Year’ competition, open to all its members.   The Orchestra has embarked on a number of concert tours abroad, including those to Holland, Malta, America, Paris Austria and Bavaria. In July 20007 they successfully toured Normandy & Disneyland Paris.

 HIGH SCHOOLS’ WIND BAND  

Mondays   6.30-9.00pm

Standard: Grade 4+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appoointment if places still available. 

The High Schools’ Wind Band, now in it’s twenty third year, bridges the gap between the Transitional and Youth Wind Bands. From September, the band has had a new conductor, local composer, teacher and musical director, Peter Knight. Peter is very keen to continue the fine tradition that the band has, of studying a diverse selection of music.

Over the coming year, the bands’ repertoire will range from classical scores to new commissions, and will include selections from musical theatre, rock, pop and big band jazz standards. Peter is also very eager to encourage young composers and the band  hosted its first annual New Music Competition in 2008 which offered music students the opportunity to have their works performed and recorded.

 As well as their busy concert schedule, the band members find time to support local charities and recently performed to raise money for BOBATH Wales, an organisation which supports children with cerebral palsy. At Easter 2008 the band made a successful tour of the Black Forest region of Germany.

HIGH SCHOOLS' BRASS BAND

 Wednesdays   6.00-8.30pm

Standard: Grade 5+

Membership usually either by audition in Summer Term or selection from previous Brass Band.

  The High Schools’ Brass Band serves as a training ground for the County Youth Brass Band but is also justifiably proud of its own reputation as an accomplished performing Band. It currently has 35 members whose ages range from 12 to 16. The Band performs regularly in local shows and fetes and has been actively involved in raising funds for a number of charities.

The High Schools' Brass Band at St David's Hall

It has undertaken many concert tours abroad having visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy and also joined members of the Youth Brass Band on a ten-day tour of Canada. In November 2000, the Band played in the Millennium Stadium prior to a rugby match between Wales and South Africa. In 2002, members of the Band visited Valkenburg, Holland and also performed in Luxemburg, followed in 2003 by a visit to Normandy, France. Members of the Band went on tour to the French Alps in 2005, which included a concert on the banks of Lake Geneva.

The Band returned to Normandy in July 2007.

 HIGH SCHOOLS’ CHOIR

Tuesdays   5.45-7.30

Membership by audition in Summer and Autumn Terms or afterwards by appointment.  

The Choir forms the link in choral training between the Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Junior Schools' Choir and the Youth Choir. The Choir has appeared on several occasions with the B.B.C. Welsh Symphony Orchestra and Choir and has taken part in performances of "Carmina Burana" with the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Childrens’ Orchestra of Great Britain in the presence of H.R.H. Princess of Wales and the B.B.C. Welsh Chorus and Orchestra in the presence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

 In 2001 the Choir successfully performed at the opening of the ‘National Union of Teachers’ Conference, at St David’s Hall. In July 2003 the Choir took part in a performance of “Carmina Burana” with Owain Arwel Hughes and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Welsh Proms.

TRANSITIONAL ORCHESTRA

Wednesdays   6.00-8.30pm

Standard: Grade 2+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

The Transitional Orchestra was formed in 1979 and caters mainly for younger secondary school pupils. Approximately 120 members, with an average age of 13, meet each week during term-time. During rehearsals and occasional weekend courses they are given the opportunity to study original and specially arranged or commissioned music in a wide variety of styles. At least three public performances are given by the orchestra each year.

The Transitional Orchestra at St David's Hall

The Orchestra has made two visits abroad - to Austria and the Czech Republic - and more recently performed a highly successful Christmas Concert for the Special Schools of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The social life of the Orchestra includes quizzes and end of term entertainments, a parents evening and sometimes a trip to Drayton Manor Park.

 In common with the other large ensembles within the Counties’ Music Service, the Transitional Orchestra is ably served by a dedicated team of instrumental tutors and supported by a hard-working Parents’ Association.

TRANSITIONAL WIND BAND

Mondays   5.45-8.00pm

Standard: Grade 2+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.  

The Transitional Wind Band is one of the Counties’ newest ensembles having been formed in September 1999. The Band performs music in a wide range of styles and aims to provide its members with the ideal introduction to the world of wind band music. The Band gives at least three concerts a year and enjoys covering a wide range of music.

The Transitional Wind Band at St David's Hall

SENIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Tuesdays   7.00-8.30pm

Standard: Grade 1+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still avbailable.  

The Senior Guitar Ensemble was founded in 2005. The Ensemble is predominantly made up of classical guitars although a bass guitar and some steel string guitars are sometimes used.

The Senior Guitar Ensemble performing at St David's Hall

The Ensemble is for guitarists of approximately grade 2 standard and above and the repertoire varies from Vivaldi through to contemporary music such as Brian Adams.

The Ensemble has recently performed on Level 3 of St David’s Hall and the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. Rehearsals take place at the Friary Centre on a Tuesday Evening.

INTERMEDIATE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Saturdays  10.00-11.00am

Members must already be having percussion/drum lessons

The Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan percussion ensembles were formed 14 years ago. Celi Evans, a part-time percussion tutor with the Music Service has been running the ensembles since May 2003. The three groups have approximately 12 members each with an age range of 8-16.

The Intermediate Percussion Ensemble at St David's Hall

The ensembles cater for a wide range of abilities, with the aim being to develop both technical, performance and ensemble skills. The intermediate percussion group is made up of pupils in year 7, 8, 9 & 10.

TRANSITIONAL BRASS BAND

Fridays   6.00-8.30pm

Standard: Secondary pupils up to Grade 5

Membership usually either by audition in Summer Term or by selection from previous Brass Band.  

The Transitional Brass Band is made up of pupils in years seven and eight and rehearses once a week. The Band play in a variety of concerts throughout the year. The band has a tradition of undertaking concert tours of Europe. Over the years they have visited France, Germany, Austria, Holland and Switzerland. This summer the band will be touring in Normandy, France.    

The Transitional Brass Band at St David's Hall

JUNIOR JAZZ

Thursdays   5.00-6.25pm

Standard: Grade 2+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

   Junior Jazz is the County Jazz ensemble for young people in years 7-9, and is the feeder band for the Youth Big Band. It is the first step into popular music for some of its members. The aim is to learn as many different styles of music as possible and about improvisation. Many band members also belong to other County ensembles, some even playing more than one instrument.

JUNIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Tuesdays  6.30-8.00pm

Standard: learning for at least six months

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.

The Junior Guitar Ensemble has been in existence since 2005 and is for children in primary school and up to year 8 in secondary school. Although no minimum standard is required, we expect children to have been learning the guitar for at least 6 months and to be able to read musical notation (as opposed to tablature or chord names).

The ensemble meets every Tuesday from 6.30 pm – 8 pm and plays a variety of music. Each year the ensemble takes part in 3 or 4 concerts; to date the venues have included the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay and the level 3 performance area in St David’s Hall.

JUNIOR SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA  

Thursdays   5.45-7.15pm

Standard: Grade 1+

Membership by audition in Summer Term or afterwards by appointment only if places still available.  

The Junior Orchestra met for the first time in 1963 with nine violins and then a single trumpet!  Since then the Orchestra has expanded to around 200 players from many schools throughout Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan, all whom are aged from 7 – 11 years of age.  

The Strings of the Junior Schools' Orchestra in rehearsal at the Friary Centre

Over half the Orchestra move to High Schools each year.  For many of them it is their first experience of playing in an orchestra, though a good number stay for four years.    The Orchestra is divided into seven sections.  Each section spends half their weekly rehearsals with a specialist tutor before coming together as a complete orchestra, with the conductor, for the other half.   The repertoire is carefully chosen to ensure players gain a broad experience of performing music in many styles and from many periods.  

The Woodwind of the Junior Schools' Orchestra in rehearsal at the Friary Centre at Christmas

The Orchestra performs on two occasions during the year –  in St David’s Hall in March and at their own concert in the summer term, where each section of the orchestra also performs a piece on their own.

JUNIOR SCHOOLS' CHOIR

Mondays   5.00-6.15

Standard: none required!

Membership by (very easy!) audition in September or afterwards by appointment.  

The Junior Schools’ Choir was formed in 1980 and takes part in at least three concerts each academic year: in addition to the Junior Schools’ Festival in St. David’s Hall, the Choir gives a Christmas concert and performs in a concert during the Summer Term.

The Junior School's Choir performing at St David's Hall

The Choir has also taken part in concerts for charities such as LATCH, Save the Children, Macmillan Nurses, Barnados and Muscular Dystrophy. In June 07 the Choir was proud to perform at the opening of the Senedd (Welsh Assembly Government).  

JUNIOR BRASS BAND

Wednesdays   6.00-8.30pm

Standard: Grade 2+

Membership usually either by audtion in Summer Term or selection from previous Brass Band  

The Junior Band this year has 31 members drawn from schools in Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan. Their ages range from 9-11 years. Auditions for places in the Band are held annually in May.   In addition to its annual appearance at this Festival, the Band takes part in the Brass Bands’ “Big Band Nights”, for which they have to prepare a completely new programme of music each term.

The Junior Brass Band at the Spring Showcase, St David's Hall March 07  

Over the years the Band has performed with the Newport Male Voice Choir, entertained at the Lisvane Summer Festival, and provided the music for the official launch of the new Penarth Lifeboat, “The Spirit of Penarth”, in the presence of H.R.H. Princess Alexandra. Other concerts scheduled for this year include the spring and summer Big Band Nights and a return visit to the Lisvane Summer Festival. 

Each year, during the Easter holidays, members of the Band have the opportunity to attend PGL adventure holidays, and to take part in various social events.

INTERMEDIATE BRASS BAND

Saturdays   10.00am-12.00noon

Standard: Grade 1+

Membership usually either by audition in Summer Term or selection from previous Brass Band.  

The Intermediate Band have been work extremely hard to prepare for their concerts. At the beginning of the Autumn term 2006 the band were very few in number but they have gradually grown in strength to the point were they now have available a good range of brass instruments. The band  look long and hard at different pieces of music to perform that will compliment their overall sound and  always come up with a varied and exciting programme.

PRELIMINARY BRASS BAND

Saturdays   9.45-12.00noon

Standard: None! Beginners welcome! Any time!

The Preliminary Brass Band is specifically aimed at those children who have just begun playing a brass instrument.  They may start with the band from September onwards, and children continue to join throughout the year.  There is no audition. Numbers now stand at twenty five, but with more newcomers expected to arrive during the next term.    

In the early part of the first term, the children learn about breathing and note production, new notes and basic reading skills.  By the end of the term they have learned to play in 4-part ensemble.  Last term the Band performed their Christmas programme in a concert at the Friary Centre.  They will also be appearing in the Brass Bands’ Spring Concert at Barry Memorial Hall on 5 April and at the Summer Concert at City Hall, Cardiff in July. 

During the Easter holidays several band members join children from the Intermediate and Junior Schools’ Brass Bands on the annual P.G.L. adventure week.

BEGINNERS' PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Saturdays   11.00am-12.00noon

Members must already be having percussion/drum kit lessons

The Percussion Ensembles were formed 14 years ago. Celi Evans, a part-time percussion tutor with the Music Service has been running them since May 2003. The three groups have approximately 12 members, each with an age range of 8-18.

Beginner Percussion Ensemble at St David's Hall

The ensembles cater for a wide range of abilities, with the aim being to develop both technical, performance and ensemble skills    

VIOLIN & CELLO CLUB

Violin and Cello Club meet on a Friday evening in The Friary from 5.00 - 6.00.

The Clubs give children who have been learning the violin and cello for a year the opportunity to play in a group at County level and to meet children from other schools. Each session consists of ensemble playing, and musicianship training with musical games to help to broaden the musical knowledge and experience of the player. Usually the Violin and Cello Clubs meet separately but from time to time combine for an evening to further broaden their experience.

If your child would like to come along he/she will be very welcome. Previous members of the Clubs have greatly enjoyed the experience and have moved on enthusiastically to other County activities.The cost is £12 for a term’s membership.

The first meeting in the new academic year will be Friday 19th September. If your child would like to come along then just turn up at 5.00.   If you miss the first meeting there is no problem about turning up at any of the next few meetings.