SSE Somerset Music County Youth Groups Making your Musical Talents Count for the County
Introduction SSE Somerset Music is just one of the services provided by Support Services for Education (SSE), a traded unit within Somerset County Council. As well as offering music tuition and support to schools across the whole county, Somerset Music also provides ensemble activities for the talented musicians within our region and manages three County Music Groups - Somerset County Youth Orchestra, Somerset County Youth Concert Band and Somerset County Youth Choir. Throughout the year Somerset Music runs large scale events, the largest of which is the Somerset Music Christmas Concert held at Wells Cathedral. This takes place in early December to a capacity audience with around 500 young performers from schools across the county, as well as our county youth groups. Somerset Music also hosts regional events which provide an opportunity for local schools to showcase their music to a wider audience. In addition to the County Music Groups there are a variety of other clubs, ensembles and events which offer performance opportunities throughout the year, some of which are listed within this brochure. A full list of events and more information can be found on our website: www.somersetmusic.co.uk.
About Us Somerset County Youth Concert Band The Somerset County Youth Band has three courses a year, at Christmas, Easter and the end of the Summer Term. As well as this, the Band arranges various tours and has over the last few years been fortunate to visit Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Somerset County Youth Band receives some financial assistance from Arts Council England via the local music Hub, Sound Foundation Somerset, but needs to raise the majority of its running costs from subscriptions.
How to join the Somerset County Youth Concert Band Auditions for joining the Concert Band are held annually in October and those wishing to join must be able to play at grade 5 standard or above. Application forms will be posted on our website at the start of the academic year and copies are also sent to music departments in both maintained and independent schools across the county. For more information about the Concert Band and how to join, please contact the Band Manager Sarah Alsop email SAlsop@somerset.gov.uk or contact Somerset Music on 0300 123 7364 or somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk.
Somerset County Youth Orchestra Formed in 1973, the Somerset County Youth Orchestra (SCYO) has been offering high quality orchestral playing to young musicians from all over Somerset. Inspired by their musical experiences, several members of the orchestra have continued to study music to a very high level at university/music college. Many have since become professional musicians working as performers or as music teachers and some, we are extremely proud to say, are currently working for the SSE Somerset Music team. SCYO is a full-sized symphony orchestra and recent performances have included Mahler Symphony No 5, Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and Shostakovich Symphony No 5, 8 & 10. SCYO meet at the end of each academic term for an intensive course (usually four- days). The Orchestra is conducted by Andrew Sherwood, Violin Professor from Trinity College London, and each section of the orchestra has a specialist tutor who guides the young performers through rehearsals. Over the course of the four-days they each have a mix of full and sectional rehearsals culminating in a concert at the end of the course which is open to all members of the public. The final course in the academic year is usually held overseas, however due to COVID-19 we have been unable to do this for the last two years. Over the years we have performed in Paris, Florence, Prague, Salzburg, Dublin and most recently Holland. SCYO was also the first orchestra to perform in the European Parliament in Brussels.
How to join the Somerset County Youth Orchestra SCYO receives some financial assistance from Arts Council England via the local music Hub, Sound Foundation Somerset, but need to raise the majority of its running costs from subscriptions Auditions for joining the Orchestra are held annually in October and those wishing to join must be able to play at grade 5 standard or above (strings), and grade 6 standard or above (wind & brass). Application forms will be posted on our website at the start of the academic year and copies are also sent to music departments in both maintained and independent schools across the county. If you would like more information on the Orchestra, please contact the Orchestra Manager, Martin Wills, at MWills@somerset.gov.uk or contact Somerset Music on 0300 123 7364 or somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk.
Somerset County Youth Choir The Somerset County Youth Choir (SCYC) was reformed in September 2014 and is open to young people aged 8 – 21. Somerset County Youth Choir meets throughout each term and performs regularly throughout the year at various events across the county. There is no audition to join the choir, just an enthusiasm to learn and a love of singing! Being a member of the choir gives you the opportunity to widen your singing experiences and challenge your musical creativity. Everyone who attends has the opportunity to sing a broad range of repertoire and work with vocal experts. Somerset County Youth Choir receives some financial assistance from Arts Council England via the local music Hub, Sound Foundation Somerset, but needs to raise the majority of its running costs from subscriptions.
How to join the Somerset County Youth Choir We are always happy to welcome new members. If you are interested in joining then please complete our Initial Interest Form. The main choir is split into three choirs: Training Choir (Age 8 – 12 years) Senior Girls (Age 12 -21) Lads of the Levels (Age 12 -21) If you would like more information on the Choir, please contact the Choir Manager Sarah Alsop at SAlsop@somerset.gov.uk or contact Somerset Music on 0300 123 7364 or somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk.
Somerset County Youth Ukulele Band Somerset Music have recently started a brand-new Ukulele group based in Taunton. The group is run by Somerset Music tutor, Gareth Clarke. It provides a fantastic platform for pupils to progress and be a member of one of the highest quality Ukulele groups in the county. Players should have a good knowledge of chords and TAB and be willing to perform in front of others. Rehearsals take place on a Monday for 10 weeks per term from 16:30-17:30 at St George’s Primary School, The Mount, Taunton, TA1 3NR. If you have any queries or would like more information then please contact Gareth Clarke gclarke@ somerset.gov.uk.
Key Contact details Somerset County Youth Choir: Sarah Alsop – Choir & Band Manager Email - SAlsop@somerset.gov.uk Phone Number – 0300 123 7364 Website - www.somersetmusic.co.uk Facebook | Twitter @SCYChoir | Instagram @scychoirs Somerset County Youth Concert Band Sarah Alsop – Choir & Band Manager Email - SAlsop@somerset.gov.uk Phone Number – 0300 123 7364 Website - www.somersetmusic.co.uk Facebook | Instagram @scycband | Twitter @SCYCBand Somerset County Youth Orchestra: Martin Wills – Orchestra Manager Email – Mwills@somerset.gov.uk Phone Number – 0300 123 7364 Website - www.somersetmusic.co.uk Instagram @scyo355 | Facebook | Twitter @SCYO19 Somerset Music Glyn Bowen – SSE Somerset Music Service Manager Email – gbowen@somerset.gov.uk or – somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk Phone Number – 0300 123 7364 Website – www.somersetmusic.co.uk YouTube | Instagram @SSE_somersetmusic | Twitter @music_sse Somerset Primary Music Network Facebook
Somerset County Youth Ukulele Band Gareth Clarke - Group Leader Email – gclarke@somerset.gov.uk Phone Number – 0300 123 7364 If you would like to discuss any of our services in more detail, then please do not hesitate to email us at SomersetMusic@somerset.gov.uk.