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.

It is free to take part in our Central Ensembles, but you/ your child will be required to audition.

For more information about joining one of our Central Ensembles please contact ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk

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.

Our ensembles support young musicians at every stage of their journey, from Grade 1 to advanced performers beyond Grade 8.

If you are offered and accept a place in one of our SFE Ensembles, your young musician will be expected to maintain regular instrumental or vocal tuition, alongside consistent rehearsal attendance (around 80%).

This is important to ensure young musicians feel confident, prepared and able to contribute to the group. As spaces are limited and fully funded, this shared commitment helps ensure the opportunity continues to benefit as many young people as possible.

An approximate idea of expected grade level for each ensemble can be found here:

Woodwind, Brass and Percussion   Approximate Grades*
Birmingham Schools’ Training Orchestra   1 – 3
Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band   3 – 6
Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra  6 – 8+ 
Strings   
Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra   2 – 4
Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia  5 – 7
Full Orchestra -Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion   
Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra   7 – 8+
Guitars   
Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble  2 – 4
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Sinfonia  4 – 6
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble   6 – 8+
Orchestral Percussion   
Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble  2 – 5
Birmingham Schools’ Percussion Ensemble   6 – 8+
Percussion and World Music   
Birmingham Schools’ Raga and Tala   
Birmingham Schools’ Dhol Ensemble   
Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band   
Recorders  
Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Ensemble  initial – 5
Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia  5 – 8+
Brass Bands   
Birmingham Schools’ Training Brass Band  1 – 5
Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band   6 – 8+

*Please note, these grade boundaries are for guidance only 

Please check that you are able to attend the weekly rehearsals, before applying for an ensemble. See details below.

Ensemble Email Instrumentation Venue Day Time
Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band South Contact Steel pans University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Monday 4:30-5:30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Raga & Tala Contact Sitar, Tabla King Edward VI Handsworth School Rose Hill Rd, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham B21 9AR Monday 5.00- 6.00pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble Contact Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Tuesday 5.30- 7.00pm
Birmingham Schools’ Percussion Ensemble Contact Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Tuesday 7.00- 8.30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble Contact Oboe, Cor Anglais, Bassoon, Contra Bassoon Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Wednesday 5.00- 6.00pm
Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band North Contact Steel Pan Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Earlsbury Gardens, Handsworth, Birmingham B20 3AE Wednesday 4:30- 5:30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Brass Band Contact Cornet, Flugel Horn, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Euphonium, Baritones, Trombones, Bass Trombone, Eb/Bb Bass, Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion St George’s Upper School, Calthorpe Road, Birmingham B15 1RX Thursday 5.00- 6.30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band Contact Cornet, Flugel Horn, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Euphonium, Baritones, Trombones, Bass Trombone, Eb/Bb Bass, Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion St George’s Upper School, Calthorpe Road, Birmingham B15 1RX Thursday 6.30- 8.30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble Contact Classical guitar Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Thursday 6.00- 7:30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Sinfonia Contact Classical guitar Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Thursday 6.00- 8.00pm
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble Contact Classical guitar Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Thursday 6.00- 8.00pm
Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra Contact Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Tuba, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Harp, Piano University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Friday 6.00- 8.30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Orchestra Contact Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Cornet, Trumpet, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Saturday 09.30- 12.00
Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band Contact Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Cornet, Trumpet, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Saturday 09:30- 12:00
Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra Contact Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Cornet, Trumpet, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Saturday 09.30- 12:00
Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia Contact Recorder University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Saturday 09:30- 11:30am
Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra Contact Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Saturday 09:30- 12:00
Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia Contact Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Saturday 09:30- 12:00
Birmingham Schools’ Jazz Band Contact Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Drum Kit, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar Bournville School Hay Green Ln, Birmingham B30 1SH Saturday 12:30- 2:30pm
Birmingham Schools’ Singers Contact Voice Unit 3, Holt Court, Birmingham Science Park Aston Faraday Wharf, Holt St, Birmingham B7 4AX Sunday 10:00- 12:00
Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Ensemble Contact Recorder University of Birmingham School 12 Weoley Park Rd, Birmingham B29 6QU Saturday TBC
Birmingham Schools’ Keyboard Ensemble Contact Piano, Keyboard Bishop Veseys Grammar School, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B74 2NH Wednesday 4.15-5.15pm

We are pleased to share details of this year’s ensemble auditions for membership from September 2026, which will take place during the summer term. This information is to support you in helping your child/pupil decide whether to audition and to understand the process. You can apply via the SFE Ensembles Portal.

If you’d like instructions on how to apply via the portal, watch the video below.

Your child/pupil only needs to audition if they would like to move to a different ensemble.

If they are happy to remain in their current group, there is no requirement to audition. However, they will still need to re-register for their current ensemble in the summer term.

We recommend that children audition to progress after 2 years in their current group (except where no further ensemble progression is available). If your child/pupil has been in their group for 2 years or more and does not wish to audition, please contact us or discuss this with their instrumental teacher.

Auditions will take place during the week commencing 15th June.

All auditions will be held:

  • At the usual rehearsal venue for the ensemble they are applying to join.
  • At the normal rehearsal time for the ensemble they are applying to join

Your child/pupil should attend the audition for the group they wish to join, not their current group. You can find rehearsal details here.

If your child/pupil wishes to be considered for more than 1 ensemble, please apply for all ensembles they would like to join. They will be allocated the most appropriate audition time/venue but will not have to undertake multiple auditions.

  • Applications open: 20th April
  • Applications close: 18th May
  • Audition appointment times released: 1st June
  • Audition week: week commencing 15th June
  • Audition results sent from portal: 6th July

Please ensure applications are submitted on time, as late requests may not be accommodated.

Apply via the Portal today

Your child/pupil should prepare:

  • Two contrasting pieces of their own choice, preferably from the ABRSM, Trinity, MTB, PRSSV or Rock School Syllabus. Choices should be made in conjunction with your instrumental teacher.

There are:

  • No technical requirements
  • No set scales or exercises

Auditions are designed to be supportive and positive experiences for all young musicians. We strongly encourage choosing pieces that can be played confidently and musically, rather than attempting more difficult repertoire that may not be secure. This helps the panel make the most accurate assessment of suitability. Panels will be assessing overall musical readiness and potential, not just technical proficiency.

If you have any questions, please ask your instrumental teacher or email ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk

This year, all ensembles will audition potential members.

There will be no open rehearsals, so the audition is the only route for joining or moving groups.

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!

Saphran Ali - Assistant Head of Ensembles, Services For Education

Saphran began his musical journey at secondary school, where his curiosity for a “strange instrument” led him to the Euphonium – and ultimately to a lifelong passion for music. He studied at Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with honours in Euphonium and Trombone performance, and later completed a PGCE in Secondary Music Education.

Saphran joined Services For Education in 2013 as a brass teacher, and now serves as Assistant Head of Ensembles.

He plays a key role in shaping Birmingham’s vibrant youth music scene, leading and organising concerts across the city and working closely with young musicians as a conductor and tutor. He currently directs Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band, as well as assisting several central and area ensembles across the week.

Alongside his work with SFE, Saphran is an active performer and conductor. He is Principal Euphonium of the Championship Section Langley Band and Musical Director of the City of Birmingham Brass Band, Langley Community Brass, The People’s Orchestra and the People's Big Band. His playing and conducting has taken him from local stages to national championships and prestigious venues including Symphony Hall and the Lincoln Center in New York.

Saphran is proud to give back to the music service that first inspired him, helping the next generation of musicians grow in confidence, creativity, and skill.

Sara Wilson - Assistant Head of Ensembles, Services For Education

Sara graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 1994 and was appointed as flute teacher at Edgbaston High School for Girls and Stratford-upon-Avon Music Centre. Shortly after, she began working at RNIB New College in Worcester, teaching blind and partially sighted students.

In all of these posts, Sara established ensembles including flute choirs, recorder groups and full wind-bands.

In 2000, when Birmingham Music Service established their Flute Choir to provide more ensemble opportunities for the city's flautists, Sara was appointed as tutor and worked alongside various conductors. Since then, she has tutored with Birmingham Schools' Training Wind Orchestra and Birmingham Schools' Symphony Orchestra, as well as teaching woodwind in the city.

Sara's passion for ensemble playing has led her to her current post as Assistant Head of Ensembles for Services for Education. She believes that her background in state, grammar and private schools gives her a unique insight into the range of pupils who engage with the SFE ensembles system.

Did you know that Services For Education is a charity?

Every year, we bring together nearly 4,000 young people from across Birmingham and form over 90 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. 

If you would like to support our Ensembles, please visit our charity project page here: Music Ensembles – Services For Education (sfecharity.co.uk).

Page Last Modified:  24/04/2026 15:07