Head of Ensembles at SFE, Sarah Chatt, discusses the impact our music ensembles have on young musicians, and the one principal that has never changed…

On a weekday evening or a Saturday morning in Birmingham, hundreds of young people walk into rehearsals across the city. Some arrive with years of lessons behind them. Others are just beginning their musical journey. What they share is simple: a place to belong, to grow, and to make something extraordinary together.

For many, this opportunity would not exist if there were a cost attached.

Since 1965, the Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra has been part of the life of this city.

As our ensembles have grown and evolved, one principle has never changed:

We have never charged a family for membership.

That decision has shaped everything we do. It means our ensembles truly represent Birmingham – bringing together young people from all backgrounds, not just those who can afford to take part. It creates a richer musical experience, but just as importantly, it helps young people develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging in a diverse community.

For some of our members, this is their first real access to instrumental tuition or ensemble playing. For others, it is where their talent is nurtured and stretched. All are supported by exceptional teachers and conductors who inspire them week in, week out.

Birmingham is incredibly well-placed to offer young musicians opportunities that few other cities can match. From world-class concert halls to major public performances, our young people regularly perform in venues that professional musicians across the country aspire to play in. These experiences help young people see themselves – and their city – differently.

The impact of this approach is clear. Alumni such as Alpesh Chauhan and Xhosa Cole began their journeys in this fully funded environment – and both have spoken about how vital that access was in shaping their futures.

We want that same opportunity to exist for every young person who comes after them.

And so we remain absolutely committed to this:

No child will ever be excluded from our ensembles because of cost.

However, the reality is that delivering this work is becoming increasingly challenging. It costs an average of £273 per year to provide a place for each young musician. These costs continue to rise, while our core Arts Council funding has remained unchanged for over 15 years.

We are determined not to reduce what we offer, limit access, or ask families to shoulder increasing costs in order to balance the books. In fact, we want to go further – to reach more young people, to strengthen our ensembles, and to keep raising the quality of what we provide.

To do that, we need support.

Many of our families tell us how much these ensembles mean to their children. For those who are able, making a voluntary donation is a powerful way to support not only your own child’s experience, but another young person’s too.

A contribution of any size helps.

It helps pay for expert tuition.

It helps keep rehearsals and performances running.

And most importantly, it helps ensure that every place remains free for the young people who need it.

If you are in a position to do so, we invite you to consider making a donation this year.

There is no expectation, and no obligation.

Your child’s place will always remain free.

But if you can help, you will be directly supporting the continuation of something that has served this city for 60 years – and helping to ensure it is still here, open to all, for the next generation.

 Support Our Ensembles

Our Music Ensembles give young people the chance to develop their music talent and share it with others. By donating to our Ensembles, you will help us continue to offer opportunities for free, meaning no-one is excluded from the valuable opportunity they offer.

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  About the Author

Sarah Chatt - Head of Department - Ensembles, Services For Education

Sarah Chatt studied Music at Birmingham Conservatoire and in New York, gaining both undergraduate and Master’s degrees. She has taught percussion and drum kit with SFE and in independent schools for over 25 years. She was instrumental in establishing Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble, which she has conducted since its creation nearly two decades ago.

Sarah is a committed advocate for the power of ensemble playing, valuing its impact on both musical development and young people’s confidence, teamwork, and wellbeing. She has a particular passion for creating ambitious and authentic performance opportunities at every level, from grass-roots school groups through to national and international stages.

Alongside her teaching and leadership, Sarah maintains a vibrant freelance performance career. She appears regularly with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Longborough Festival Opera, leading baroque ensembles and historically informed performances, bringing a wealth of professional experience to her educational work. Each summer Sarah can be found in muddy fields across the country performing in the orchestra and firing over 400 live cannons for the Battle Proms concerts!