For more information about joining one of our Central Ensembles please contact ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk
It is free to take part in our Central Ensembles, but you/ your child will be required to audition.
Our ensemble members are nurtured and supported by skilled professional tutors and conductors, developing their confidence and musical abilities.
Members will also take part in memorable performances on the stages of Birmingham’s most prestigious venues, celebrating their musical achievements to packed audiences. These groups also regularly represent Services For Education on the Regional and National Stage.
All our ensembles serve as an extension to weekly instrumental/vocal lessons and school music making. By joining one of our groups your young musicians will be representing your school at city level.
Our Central Ensembles offer progression for intermediate to advanced young musicians.
Auditions for Services For Education (Birmingham Schools’) Central Ensembles are open to young musicians in full time education who attend a Birmingham School or live within the city of Birmingham.
Central ensembles are designed for intermediate (approximately Grade 3 standard upwards) through to advanced performers. Ensembles rehearse weekly during term time with members benefiting from over 100 hours of specialist ensemble tuition.
As a general rule, we expect ensemble members to be with each group for two academic years to be in a position to access the next level ensemble both in terms of instrumental capability and ensemble craft, although there are sometimes exceptional cases where membership of a group may be more or less than this. In all cases we expect our ensemble members to audition every two years.
If you are offered and accept a place in one of our SFE Ensembles musicians are expected to maintain regular instrumental or vocal tuition to enable continued personal improvement.
Central Ensembles Update Aug 2021
We currently run 21 auditioned Central Ensembles:
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
- Birmingham Schools’ Jazz Ensemble
- Birmingham Schools’ Training Wind Orchestra
- Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band
- Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra
Strings
- Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra
- Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia
Full Orchestra -Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
- Birmingham Schools’ Concert Orchestra
- Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra
Guitars
- Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble
- Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Sinfonia
- Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble
Orchestral Percussion
- Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble
- Birmingham Schools’ Percussion Ensemble
Percussion and World Music
- Birmingham Schools’ Raga and Tala
- Birmingham Schools’ Azaad Dhol Group
- Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band
Recorders
- Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Ensemble
- Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia
Brass Bands
- Birmingham Schools’ Brass Attack
- Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band
Vocal
- Birmingham Schools’ Singers
For more details, or to request an audition, please contact ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk
|
Date |
Event/Venue |
Ensembles |
|
Saturday 11th December 19:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Jazz Ensemble Percussion Ensemble Concert Band Guitar Sinfonia |
|
Sunday 12th December 18:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Training Percussion String Sinfonia Guitar Ensemble Recorder Sinfonia |
|
Saturday 26th February 19:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Junior Strings Training Guitars Recorder Ensemble Azaad Dhol |
|
Sunday 27th February 18:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Singers Brass Attack Concert Orchestra Raga and Tala |
|
Saturday 5th March 19:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Brass Band Training Wind Steel Band Double Reed Group |
|
Sunday 6th March 18:00 |
Elgar Concert Hall, |
Wind Orchestra Symphony Orchestra |
|
Sunday 3rd April 12:00 15:00 18:00 |
Area Ensemble Galas Elgar Concert Hall, |
|
|
Monday 4th April 18:00 |
Area Ensemble Galas Elgar Concert Hall, |
|
|
Monday 4 th April |
Area Ensemble Galas Royal Birmingham Conservatoire |
|
|
Tuesday 5th April 18:00 |
Area Ensemble Galas Elgar Concert Hall, |
|
|
Tuesday 5 th April |
Area Ensemble Galas Royal Birmingham Conservatoire |
|
|
Wednesday 6th April 18:00 |
Area Ensemble Galas Elgar Concert Hall, |
|
|
Sunday 17th July |
Youth Proms 1 Symphony Hall |
Percussion Ensemble Brass Attack Symphony Orchestra Recorder Sinfonia |
|
Monday 18th July 19:00 |
Youth Proms 2 Symphony Hall |
Jazz Ensemble Training Wind Guitar Sinfonia Recorder Ensemble Azaad Dhol |
|
Tuesday 19th July 19:00 |
Youth Proms 3 Symphony Hall |
Training Percussion Singers Concert Band Guitar Ensemble |
|
Wednesday 20th July 19:00 |
Youth Proms 4 Symphony Hall |
Wind Orchestra String Sinfonia Raga and Tala Training Guitars |
|
Thursday 21st July 19:00 |
Youth Proms 5 Symphony Hall |
Brass Band Junior Strings Concert Orchestra Steel Band |
Did you know that Services For Education is a charity?
Every year, we bring together 2,000 young people from across Birmingham and form over 70 ensembles, specialising in a variety of instruments.
We do not charge for our ensembles because imposing a charge would create an immediate barrier for many families who would struggle to afford these costs but this is only sustainable with support from our donors.
We need your help to keep our ensembles going.
Become a Friend of Services For Education for as little as £3 per month to support our ensembles. Or, if you’d prefer make a one-off donation.
Find out more on our Charity Website.
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