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

Music School and Ensembles programme
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 7.15pmSingle Reed Ensemble

 

Thursday activities

Bands 
5.15pm to 6.15pmSteel Band (Years 5 to 13)
5pm to 6pmUkulele Band
7pm to 8pmBrass Band Grade 5+ (at The Compass Theatre)


Register your interest for Ukulele Band

Register your interest for Steel Band

Saturday classes

Bands 
8.30am to 9.30amTraining Band (Grade 3 to 4) 
11am to 12.15pmJunior Band (Beginners to Grade 2)
12.15pm to 13.30pmWind Band (Grade 4 to 5) 
12.15pm to 1.45pmConcert Band (Grade 6+) 

 

String ensembles
8.30am to 9.30amRepertoire Strings (Grade 3 to 4) 
11am to 12.15pmJunior Strings (Beginners to Grade 2)
12.15pm to 1.30pmPhilharmonic Strings (Grade 4 to 5)
12.15pm to 1.45pmString Sinfonia (Grade 6+) 

 

Orchestras 
9.30am to 11amPhilharmonic Orchestra (Grade 4 to 5) 
9.30am to 11amSymphony Orchestra (Grade 6+) 
11am to 12.15pmRepertoire Orchestra (Grade 3 to 4) 

 

Choirs 
10am to 11amYoung Singers
11am to 12.15pmVocation Choir 

 

Added value activities
8.30am to 9amABRSM Aural Class (Grade 4 to 8) 
9am to 9.30amTrinity Aural Class (Grade 4 to 8) 
9am to 9.30amMusic Theory (Grade 4 to 5) 
9.30am to 10amMusic Theory (Grade 1 to 3) Grade 3 instrument practical must have been passed

 

2023/24 termly fees

Type of subscription per term

Resident 

Non-resident

Concessionary*

Junior Band or Junior Strings Only

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Choir Only - Young Singers or Vocation Choir 

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Brass Band Only (Grade 5+)

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Single Reed Ensemble Only (Grade 5+)

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Steel Band Only

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Ukulele Group Only

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Aural Classes Only

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Theory Classes Only

£45.10

£65

£12.75

Unlimited (includes Senior Groups and access to any of the above if eligible) 

£104

£117

£20.55


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.

Register your interest for Saturday Music School

Register your interest for Junior Band or Junior Strings (Beginner to Grade 2)

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

Page last updated: 15 Sep 2023