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.

Thursday activities

Bands
5.15pm to 6.15pm	Steel Band (Years 5 to 13)
5pm to 6pm	Ukulele Band
5.45pm to 6.455	Junior Band Beginners to Grade 2 (at The Compass Theatre)
7pm to 8pm	Brass Band Grade 5+ (at The Compass Theatre)

Friday classes

String ensembles
5.15pm to 6.15pm	Junior Strings Beginners to Grade 2 (at Manor Farm)

Saturday classes

Bands
11.30am to 12.45pm	Wind Band (Grade 4 to 5)
11.30am to 1pm	Concert Band (Grade 6+)
Midday to 1pm	Training Band (Grade 3 to 4)

String ensembles
11.30am to 12.45pm	Philharmonic Strings (Grade 4 to 5)
11.30am to 1pm	String Sinfonia (Grade 6+)
Midday to 1pm	Repertoire Strings (Grade 3 to 4)

Orchestras
9.30am to 11.30am	Philharmonic Orchestra (Grade 4 to 5)
9.30am to 11.30am	Symphony Orchestra (Grade 6+)
10.30am to 11.30pm	Repertoire Orchestra (Grade 3 to 4)

Choirs
11am to 11.30am	Advanced Choir
11.30am to Midday	Junior Choir

Added value activities
8.30am to 9am	ABRSM Aural (Grade5+)
10am to 10.30am	Theory Clinic 1 (for those passed grade 1 theory)
10am to 10.30am	General Musicianship (Grade 1 theory)
10.30am to 11am	Rhythm Class (Samba Drumming)
10.30am to 11am	Theory Clinic 2 (for those passed grade 1 theory)
10.30am to 11am	Trinity Aural (Grade 5+)
1pm to 1.30pm	Single Reed Ensemble

2025/26 termly fees - from September 2025

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)	£109.20	£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.