Why play in a band or orchestra?
It is one of the main reasons you learn to play!
Meeting and working with students from other communities and backgrounds with whom life-long friendships may be formed
Becoming familiar with the wide range of music that exists for bands and orchestras.
Having an opportunity to perform music to audiences at home and abroad
Giving pleasure to others through your playing
Working with others to achieve high standards
Understanding how instruments work and how music is arranged for large groups to perform
Developing listening skills, the ability to concentrate, to persevere, to co-operate, to express feelings and emotions through music, to be self-critical and to grow in self-esteem
Developing social and personal skills e.g. the ability to concentrate, to listen, to persevere, to work together as a team, to communicate with others, to express emotions and feelings through music, to grow in confidence.
It is vital to play with others in order to experience the pleasure of group music-making.
Attendance
Saturday attendance is compulsory for Music Service students who have reached the required standard. Junior Ensembles membership is strongly encouraged as it compliments lessons and opens the door to group performance at a challenging level. All members are required to give priority to rehearsals. As the year allows for a maximum of only 25 rehearsals, it is vital to have full attendance each week. We announce concert dates as early as possible to ensure the participation of all members. If possible, we arrange to have concerts on Friday evenings. When attendance falls below the required standard the Music Service will take steps to stop tuition.
Membership fees
Details of annual membership charges are subject to change and are available separately. Membership is free for students in the Advanced Teaching scheme. Details of remission of charges for families on Income Support or Family Credit are also available.
Transport
Transport, along well established main routes, is provided at no extra charge.
Concert Dress
All groups have clear guidelines about what should be worn at concerts.If in doubt, please check details with the conductor.
Tours and Courses
The S.U.Y.O. & S.U.Y.B. alternate between concert tours usually every two years. The musical experience of performing to enthusiastic audiences when abroad is something never to be forgotten. In addition, these tours provide tremendous opportunities to broaden horizons while representing Northern Ireland, the Southern Board area and young people abroad. Experience has shown that, when on tour, members have better opportunities to socialise and get to know each other. Friendships formed at this time are often lifelong. Weekend courses organised for groups during the year provide similar opportunities for intensive study while giving members more time to get to know each other.
The S.E.L.B. Music Service operates a variety of ensembles, bands and orchestras which cater for students at all levels of achievement. See below for further details.
JUNIOR ENSEMBLES
DUNGANNON, PORTADOWN & NEWRY CENTRES
Rehearsals September to March for 20 sessions.
Entry standard: Grade 1 Applications to the Head of Centre.
Allocation of places may be subject to audition.
The Junior Ensembles of the S.E.L.B. Music Service give young musicians and players their first opportunity to make music in much larger groups than is possible in school. Junior Ensembles often provide the first opportunity for young musicians to make music with others.They also provide a vital first step towards the more advanced Youth Orchestras and Bands.
Junior Ensembles operate in the three main Music Centres, Portadown, Newry and Dungannon, under the auspices of the S.E.L.B. Music Service. All the ensembles are staffed by Music Service tutors or by part-time tutors. The weekly sessions lasting for one and a half hours take place from late September to early March when the season culminates with a concert. Main route transport is available free of charge.
Each Centre has a String Orchestra catering for players of violin, viola, cello and double bass; a Wind Band for woodwind, brass and percussion players and a Recorder Ensemble. The minimum standard for instrumentalists is equivalent to grade 1, while recorder players should be able to play within the range of an octave from D to D’ including F*.
In addition the Newry Music Centre has a Primary 7 Choir aimed at pupils who are nor currently receiving instrumental tuition from the Music Service.
The Music Service tutor will recommend that a pupil should join Junior Ensembles when he/she believes they have reached the required standard.
Membership of the groups is generally by tutor or school recommendation but application may be made through the Head of Centre based in the relevant Centre. Allocation of places may also be subject to audition.
Portadown Junior Ensembles
Venue Portadown Music Centre
Day and Time Monday 6.15p.m - 7.45p.m.
Head of Centre Mrs. Elaine Mills
Newry Junior Ensembles
Venue Newry Music Centre
Day and Time Wednesday 6.30p.m - 8.00p.m.
Head of Centre Mrs. Naula Curran
Dungannon Junior Ensembles
Venue Dungannon Music Centre
Day and Time Thursday 6.15p.m - 7.45p.m.
Head of Centre Mr. Seamus Dinsmore
INTERMEDIATE GROUPS
SOUTH ULSTER ACADEMY ORCHESTRA
SOUTH ULSTER ACADEMY BAND
SATURDAY 9.30-12.00
PORTADOWN COLLEGE
Rehearsals September to mid-May for up to 25 sessions.
Entry by audition in June. Minimum standard: Grade 3. Members must be Year 9 or above.
The Academy Band and Academy Orchestra are very large ensembles mainly catering for pupils who progress through Junior Ensembles although direct entry is possible.
Players must be at least grade 3 standard to join and entry is by audition held in May/June.
The Academy groups play music ranging from light classics to pop. Recent programmes have included music by Handel, Verdi, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Henri Mancini and Bill Whelan.
These groups will normally give two or three concerts each year at venues throughout the S.E.L.B. area. One of the highlights of the Academy Groups season is the Schools’ Day concert when both groups play concerts in the morning and afternoon to school pupils followed by an evening concert open to everyone. In previous years the overall day’s audience has numbered over 1,500!
When joint concerts are given, one of the most exciting moments is when both orchestra and band join together for a closing piece, making an overall ensemble of almost 200 young musicians.
SPECIALIST CHAMBER GROUPS
SOUTH ULSTER STRING ORCHESTRA
SOUTH ULSTER RECORDER ENSEMBLE
SOUTH ULSTER WIND ENSEMBLE/QUINTET?
SATURDAY 9.30-12.00
PORTADOWN COLLEGE
Rehearsals September to mid-May for up to 25 sessions.
Entry by audition in June. Minimum standard: Grade 3. Members must be Year 9 or above.
SENIOR GROUPS
SATURDAY 9.30-12.00
BANN HOUSE PORTADOWN
Rehearsals September to mid-May for up to 25 sessions.
Entry by audition in June. Minimum standard: Grade 5. Members must be Year 10 or above.
SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The South Ulster Youth Orchestra was formed in the early 1970’s and was founded by Rex Blake, then Music Adviser of the S.E.L.B. The standard has steadily increased and its aims are to produce the highest possible standard of performance, playing a wide variety of professional symphonic works.
There are approximately 100 players in the orchestra and entry is by audition. Applicants must normally have been a member of an Academy group for a minimum of one year and, in the case of strings, would also have played for a year or more in the South Ulster String Orchestra. Students must have passed grade 5 to apply and many S.U.Y.O. players are Grade 8 standard or above.
During the season the orchestra presents 3 concerts in different locations throughout the S.E.L.B. area.
Over the years the orchestra has played in many different venues in Ireland and Britain and also toured Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and France.
Such concert tours are organised every 4 years.
SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH BAND
The South Ulster Youth Band was formed in the early 70s. It is the senior band of the S.E.L.B. Music Service and performs a challenging repertoire of music to the highest standards. There is an emphasis on variety and quality of performance as well as on entertainment value. There are between 60 and 70 members aged from 14 to 21 years. Applicants must normally have been a member of an Academy group for a minimum of one year and must be Year 10 or above.. Students must have passed grade 5 to be eligible to apply. Many S.U.Y.B. players are Grade 8 standard or above.The S.U.Y.B. gives an annual Christmas concert with the S.U.Y.O. and two or three other concerts each year throughout the S.E.L.B. area. Like the S.U.Y.O. the band undertakes a concert tour every four years and has previously visited the Isle of Mann, Liverpool, Dublin, Belgium and Holland.
There are three members of staff working with the S.U.Y.B. specialising in woodwind, brass and percussion.
ADULT GROUPS
Rehearsals throughout the year depending on engagements.
Entry standard variable details on request.
SOUTH ULSTER CONCERT BAND
THURSDAY 8.00-10.00
BANN HOUSE PORTADOWN
SOUTH ULSTER BRASS ENSEMBLE
SATURDAY 1.00-3.00
BANN HOUSE PORTADOWN
(approximately every three weeks)
The S.U.B.E. caters for advanced brass players who are or have been members of the S.E.L.B. Music Service.
The Ensemble plays throughout the country at everything from weddings to arts festivals.
Highlights in recent years have been performances in Queen’s Festival, concerts in Dublin and a highly successful tour to Granada Spain.
Music played ranges from Baroque to pop and there are opportunities for all players to shine.
Present membership consists of 6 trumpets, 6 horns, 4 trombones, 3 tubas and percussion.
If you are at least grade 8 standard and would like to join please contact S. Dinsmore, Head of Department.
Music Service Roadshow
ORCHESTRA, STRINGS, WOODWIND, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND WIND BAND.
Composed mainly of staff members with some senior pupils. Gives entertaining and informative recitals to S.E.L.B.Primary Schools on certain weeks during the school year. Programmes available are suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2.
Schools wishing to arrange a recital will need to offer a suitable venue and may wish to consider combining with other schools if the audience is likely to be less 100. These performances are provided free of charges but there is a waiting list. For more information please contact your nearest Music Centre and speak to the Head of Centre.
