Music School and Ensembles programme

Through our Music School, young musicians come together to play in bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles, learn music theory and sing in choirs. They also participate in regular concerts and events.

About our Music School

Hillingdon Music Service runs a structured, progressive programme of bands, orchestras and ensembles for instrumentalists and singers. Players must be having lessons either through Hillingdon Music Service or privately, and acceptance to an ensemble will be dependent on a pupil having the necessary skills and level to join, as well as a place being available.

Players' ages range from young primary school children to post A-level students, and rehearsals take place on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings during term time. They are a great way to make music and meet new friends.

Concerts are an important part of playing in an ensemble and all pupils are expected to perform as part of their learning. Senior ensembles may also be offered the opportunity to take part in foreign concert tours in July.

Monday activities

Groups
6.30pm to 7.15pm	Single Reed Ensemble

Thursday activities

Bands
5.15pm to 6.15pm	Steel Band (Years 5 to 13)
5pm to 6pm	Ukulele Band
7pm to 8pm	Brass Band Grade 5+ (at The Compass Theatre)

Saturday classes

Bands
8.30am to 9.30am	Training Band (Beginners to Grade 4)
11am to 12.15pm	Junior Band (Beginners to Grade 2)
12.15pm to 13.30pm	Wind Band (Grade 4 to 5)
12.15pm to 1.45pm	Concert Band (Grade 6+)

String ensembles
8.30am to 9.30am	Repertoire Strings (Grade 3 to 4)
11am to 12.15pm	Junior Strings (Beginners to Grade 2)
12.15pm to 1.30pm	Philharmonic Strings (Grade 4 to 5)
12.15pm to 1.45pm	String Sinfonia (Grade 6+)

Orchestras
9.30am to 11am	Philharmonic Orchestra (Grade 4 to 5)
9.30am to 11am	Symphony Orchestra (Grade 6+)
11am to 12.15pm	Repertoire Orchestra (Grade 3 to 4)

Choirs
9.30am to 10.15am	Primary Choir
10.15am to 11am	Training Choir
11.15am to 12.15pm	Senior Choir

Added value activities
9am to 9.30am	Music Theory (Grade 4 to 5)
10.30am to 11am	Music Theory (Grade 1 to 3) Grade 3 instrument practical must have been passed

2024/25 termly fees - from September 2024

Type of subscription per term	Resident	Non-resident	Concessionary*
Junior Strings Only	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Choir Only - Young Singers or Vocation Choir	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Brass Band Only (Grade 5+)	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Single Reed Ensemble Only (Grade 5+)	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Steel Band Only	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Ukulele Group Only	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Aural Classes Only	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Theory Classes Only	£47.35	£68	£13.40
Unlimited (includes Senior Groups and access to any of the above if eligible)	£109	£122.85	£21.60

Concessionary rates are available if:

you receive Universal Credit and your household income from employment is less than £617 per month
you meet any other criteria for your child to receive free school meals, ie you receive income support, income based jobseeker's allowance, or if you receive child tax credit with an income below £16,190 (but do not receive working tax credit)
you can provide evidence of the above.

If you would like to be considered for a place in one of our ensembles, please complete our online application form.

For general enquiries about the Music Hub, please email music@hillingdon.gov.uk.