Music Centre Activities

The Service organises the following Music Centre Ensembles, each of which rehearses weekly at our Fort Regent rehearsal rooms during term time and gives regular concerts. In all groups members will find enthusiasm and encouragement along with specialist coaching from Jersey Instrumental Service staff.

Membership of these ensembles is on a voluntary basis, but  ensemble playing is an essential part of learning an instrument and we strongly encourage involvement in Music Centre activities. Approximately 500 pupils take part in these weekly activities. Acceptance for JIS pupils is through teacher recommendation, with instrumental auditions held annually in July for new members who are  taught privately.
Once accepted into an ensemble, a full year's commitment is required. Rehersal days and times are as follows:-
   

Monday	4.15 – 5.45   4.00 – 5.00	Jersey Intermediate Orchestra Jersey Intermediate Wind Band Jersey Songsters
Tuesday	4.15 – 6.00	Jersey Youth Orchestra Jersey Youth Wind Band
Wednesday	4.30 – 5.30	Training Band Training Orchestra
Thursday	4.00 – 5.30	Jersey Girls’ Choir Jersey Boys’ Choir

Training Band
This wind band caters for wind, brass and percussion players from Grade 1 level.

Training Orchestra
This string ensemble caters for string players who have reached Grade 1 level.

Jersey Intermediate Wind Band
This band caters for wind, brass and percussion players from approximately Grade 3 level.

Jersey Intermediate Orchestra
This orchestra caters for string players from approximately Grade 3 level and is regularly augmented by members of the Intermediate Wind Band to form a full symphony orchestra.

Jersey Youth Wind Band
This full concert band is for players who have reached approximately Grade 5 level and provides its members with a broad repertoire including classical and popular styles including music from shows and films as well as more traditional arrangements from a wide period of music.

J ersey Youth Orchestra
This orchestra provides string players who have reached approximately Grade 5 level an opportunity to study a wide range of string repertoire to a high standard of performance which, when regularly augmented by members of the Youth Wind Band, additionally offers a full and varied symphonic orchestral experience. Programmes are contrived to extend young players to the best of their ability and musicianship.

Jersey Girls’ and Boys’ Choirs
These choirs are suitable for young people who love singing and who wish to improve their standard by exploring a varied repertoire of songs in a relaxed and friendly environment. Rehearsals are structured in a way which provides opportunities for working jointly as a combined choir or in smaller vocal ensembles. The choirs also benefit from the experience of performing pieces with live instrumental backing.

Concert Tours
From time to time Music Centre ensembles are offered the exciting opportunity of taking part in off-Island orchestral and band tours. In past years tours have been undertaken to London , Paris , Guernsey , Austria , Germany and Holland . These tours give our young musicians the opportunity to work closely together in an intensive rehearsal environment, culminating in public performances, all of which can greatly enhance the musical experience of the members involved.