Sutton Music Service
  • Sutton Music Service
  • Sutton Music Service

Ensembles

We offer a variety of ensembles for orchestral and band instrumentalists. Players' ages range from young primary school children to university students. The ensembles rehearse on weekday evenings during term time and are a great way to enjoy music-making and meet friends. There are concerts at the end of each term and players can also take part in our Music and Fun weekends away (years 3-6 and years 7-10) and European concert tours (year 9+).

All players, except those wishing to join YMSG and SYTB, are required to audition if they want to move up to the next ensemble or join another ensemble.

Please contact us for advice on joining an appropriate ensemble.
Please complete an application form if you would like to be considered for a place in one of our ensembles.

YMSG - Young Musicians String Group

Rehearsals: Mondays, 5.00-6.00pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: Philip Aslangul
Tutors: David Brooker, Ronan MacManus

String Group members are beginners with two terms' experience of learning their instrument. The group consists of violins, violas, cellos and double basses.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 12, 19, 26
October 3, 10, 17, 31
November 7, 14, 21
January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 20, 27
March 5, 12, 19
April 23, 30
May 14, 21, 28
June 11, 18, 25
July 2


Concerts

Monday 28 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Monday 26 March - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

YMTO - Young Musicians Training Orchestra

Rehearsals: Mondays, 6.00-7.00pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: David Brooker
Tutors: Philip Aslangul, Jackie Cox, Lewis Gibbs, Will Burgess

This is the first full orchestra for young players of string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The orchestra performs a wide-ranging repertoire including classical, film and pop music.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 12, 19, 26
October 3, 10, 17, 31
November 7, 14, 21
January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 20, 27
March 5, 12, 19
April 23, 30
May 14, 21, 28
June 11, 18, 25
July 2


Concerts

Wednesday 30 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Monday 26 March - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

YMO - Young Musicians Orchestra

Rehearsals: Fridays, 5.30-7.30pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: David Cox
Tutors: Sarah Hackett, David Larkin, Philip Aslangul, Tom Hardy, Lewis Gibbs, Helen Garner

This orchestra has the same instrumentation as YMTO but performs a more challenging repertoire that includes music of many different styles.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21
November 4, 11, 18, 25
January 13, 20 (Oasis Centre), 27
February 3, 10, 24
March 2, 9 (Oasis Centre), 16, 23
April 27 (Oasis Centre)
May 4 (Oasis Centre), 11, 18, 25
June 1, 15, 22, 29
July 6


Concerts

Wednesday 30 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Monday 26 March - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Friday 4 May - Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

SYSO - Sutton Youth Symphony Orchestra

Rehearsals: Fridays, 5.30-8.00pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: Nigel Hiscock
Tutors: Sarah Hackett, David Larkin, Philip Aslangul, Tom Hardy, Lewis Gibbs, Helen Garner

SYSO is a full symphony orchestra for advanced orchestral instrumentalists. The repertoire is demanding and varied and senior players are often invited to perform solo concertos with the orchestra. The orchestra takes part in annual European concert tours (year 9+) and has performed at many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Fairfield Halls and Dorking Halls.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21
November 4, 11, 18, 25
January 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 24
March 2, 9, 16, 23
April 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 15, 22, 29
July 6


Concerts

Friday 2 December - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Friday 30 March - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

SYTB - Sutton Youth Training Band

Rehearsals: Mondays, 4.45-5.45pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: Conductor: Roger Willey
Tutors: Jackie Cox, Mark Probert, Will Burgess

The Training Band is for woodwind, brass and percussion players and performs a wide-ranging repertoire. Members should have two terms' experience of learning their instrument.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 12, 19, 26
October 3, 10, 17, 31
November 7, 14, 21
January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 20, 27
March 5, 12, 19
April 23, 30
May 14, 21, 28
June 11, 18, 25
July 2


Concerts

Monday 28 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 1 April - The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

SYSB - Sutton Youth Symphonic Band

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5.00-6.00pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: Neil Thomas
Tutors: Jackie Cox, Roger Willey, Chris Kimber

The Symphonic Band includes the same instrumentation as the Training Band with the addition of percussion. The level of playing is higher with a varied repertoire that includes film, TV and show music, jazz and swing, as well as traditional wind band compositions and arrangements.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18
November 1, 8, 15, 22
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 20
April 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 12, 19, 26
July 3


Concerts

Tuesday 29 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 1 April - The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC

SYWO - Sutton Youth Wind Orchestra

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:15-8:15pm at Wandle Valley School
Conductor: Neil Thomas
Tutors: Jackie Cox, Roger Willey, Chris Kimber

This is the senior band for advanced woodwind, brass and percussion players. The repertoire is challenging and extremely varied including arrangements and original works for wind band drawn from many styles of music. SYWO takes part in annual European concert tours (year 9+) and has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Fairfield Halls, Dorking Halls and Birmingham Symphony Hall.


Rehearsal dates for 2011-12

September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18
November 1, 8, 15, 22
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 20
April 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 12, 19, 26
July 3


Concerts

Tuesday 29 November - All Saints Church, Carshalton
Sunday 1 April - The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Sunday 8 July - venue TBC