Young musicians will have more opportunity to hone their skills following some reorganisation of the county’s youth music groups.
Since the announcement of County Music Service cuts in October 2010 there has been much speculation over the future of music making opportunities in the county.
Throughout this period of uncertainty the service has always stressed the importance of participation and pledged to continue to make arrangements for youngsters to perform on a regular basis.
The reorganisation of the service to accommodate significant reduction in budget (£850K) is still underway but decisions have now been made about the future of the county’s various performance groups.
There will be little or no change to most groups in the forthcoming academic year, however the Rock and Pop Institute will operate on a course basis and applications should be made to Gigzone.
From September, the County Youth Orchestra, along with the Wind Band, and Strings Orchestra will see some changes to their structure and rehearsal arrangements. Full orchestra members will take part in three intensive annual rehearsal courses which replace weekly sessions throughout the year and membership between the three groups will become more fluid.
By running the full symphony orchestra three times a year past students and those not able to commit to weekly rehearsals will have a greater chance to take part.
The string orchestra, wind band and area orchestras will still provide opportunities for weekly meetings and County Youth Orchestra players are welcome to join these groups.
The orchestra will still make three public performances each year and the amount of practice time for members has not been reduced.
County Music Service Director Andrew Atkins said: “We are pleased that we can continue to offer high quality musical experiences to our highest level young musicians through the County Groups Programme.
“Inevitably we have had to make changes to reduce our costs but have tried to do this in a way to increase our offer, provide greater opportunities for all, and at the same time maintain high quality of teaching and performance.
“It is with regret that we have not been able to retain the of the orchestra’s excellent director Colin Touchin but we hope to draw on his expertise in future collaborations and performances.”
Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Our county groups have forged a great national reputation and we want to build on these successes not take away the opportunity. The changes to rehearsal schedules have been necessary to allow the groups to continue, but there are other benefits as the longer sessions will allow students to really focus on the music and hone their talents.”
Existing members of the county groups need not reapply or audition this year. New applicants will be invited to the first rehearsal of their chosen group which will take place in September. They will be given the opportunity to play with the ensemble and to have a short audition where they will be asked to play two contrasting pieces unaccompanied, play scales and sight read.
Annual membership for county groups is £125 per year (£30 for County Brass) and the first County Youth Orchestra course in October will be £50. All county groups will continue to be subsidised by the service and membership is free for eligible pupils under the County Music Service remissions scheme.
To find out more about the County Music Service or to enquire about auditions please contact the County Music Service on 01926 742630 or visit www.musicforlife.net.
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