Services For Education Central Ensemble Open Rehearsals 2025 tbc

Young musicians from across Birmingham are invited to join one (or more) of our FREE Open Rehearsals  

What are Central Ensembles?  

Central ensembles are designed for intermediate (approximately Grade 2 standard upwards) through to advanced performers. Ensembles rehearse weekly during term time with members benefiting from specialist ensemble tuition supported by skilled professional tutors and conductors, developing their confidence and musical abilities. 

Who can attend?  

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.  

What are Open Rehearsals?  

Open rehearsals offer a chance to meet current ensemble members, conductors, and tutors from across our ensembles system as well as join in with the rehearsal. They take place on the normal day and time of weekly rehearsals.  

What happens at an Open Rehearsal?  

Young musicians will be supported by our SFE conductors and tutors to take part in the rehearsal playing the same music as existing members. In some cases, music will be available before the open rehearsal day. Where this is the case, we will let you know how to access the music and what to prepare.  

Why join a Central Ensemble?  

Our ensemble members are nurtured and supported by skilled professional tutors and conductors, developing their confidence and musical abilities. Members will 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 musician will be representing their school at city level.  

Register to attend an Open Rehearsal: 

Please watch this video for a step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit https://ensembles.servicesforeducation.co.uk/
  2. Login to or register for an account 
  3. If you are new to the portal, click ‘add child’ (this can be multiple times on each account) 
  4. Once you have registered/If you already have an existing account, click ‘view’ next to your child’s name. 
  5. Click ‘Join A Central Ensemble’ 
  6. Complete the information and select the ‘New member audition’ option.

Registration is open until Thursday 23rd May 2024. You will receive a confirmation email on Friday 24th May with full details of the open rehearsals available to your young musician. Please note that the session(s) your young musician is offered will be based on the information you provide us with so please complete instrument grade question as accurately as possible (if no grades have been taken, please indicate and approximate grade).  

If you have any questions, please email ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk  

SFE Ensembles Team

Audition timeline  

  • The ensembles portal is now open now for registration for 2022-23 membership and will close on 23rd May. 
  • Workshop auditions for all new members will take place as follows in the week of 3rd June 2024.  

Monday 3rd June for Dhol, Tabla, Sitar and Steel Pan players 

Tuesday 4th June for Percussion Ensembles 

Thursday 6th June for Brass Bands and Guitar Ensembles  

Saturday 8th June for Wind Bands and String Orchestras   

  • You will be contacted on 24th May with full details of the open rehearsals available to your young musician. Please note that the session(s) your young musician is offered will be based on the information you provide us with so please complete instrument grade question as accurately as possible (if no grades have been taken, please indicate and approximate grade).  
  • We will contact parents/carers on Friday 14th June to confirm ensemble offers for 2024-25.  

If you have any questions, please email ensembles@servicesforeducation.co.uk  

 

 

 

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.

Woodwind, Brass and Percussion   Approximate Grades*
Birmingham Schools’ Training Wind Orchestra   3 – 5
Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band   5 – 7
Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra  7 – 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’ Azaad Dhol Group   
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 prepare two own choice pieces preferably from the ABRSM, Trinity, MTB PRSSV or Rock School Syllabus. Choices should be made in conjunction with your
instrumental teacher and should showcase your current level of attainment

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

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:  22/08/2024 08:14