Dewsbury/Mirfield Music Centre
The Dewsbury/Mirfield music centre meets on Friday evenings at the Mirfield Free Grammar School, Kitson Hill Road, Mirfield (during term time). We offer various ensembles focused on getting the most out of our young musicians.
Music Centre Leader - Miss S. Edwards
Music Centre Coordinator - Mrs L Hardwick
Fridays
| Blow and Bash Band | 17.00-18.00 | Miss Hewitt |
| Intermediate Band | 18.15-19.30 | Mr Harrison |
| Senior Band | 17.00-18.30 | Mr Dolling |
| Jazz Collective | 17.00-18.00 | Mr Hodgson |
| Swing Band | 18.45-19.45 | Mr Dolling |
| Junior Strings | 17.00-18.00 | Miss Broadbent |
| Intermediate Strings | 18.15-19.30 | Miss Broadbent |
| Junior Guitars | 17.00-18.00 | Miss Edwards |
| Intermediate Guitars | 18.15-19.30 | Miss Edwards |
| Adult Percussion Ensemble | 18.15-19.15 | Mr Hodgson |
Our Swing Band has built up an excellent reputation playing several gigs each term: raising funds for charities such at the RNLI and British Heart Foundation or at private functions and beer festivals. A highlight is taking part in the Marsden Jazz Festival, playing in the marquee to a large audience regardless of the unpredictable October weather.
There is a strong camaraderie from these players who simply love playing music together. Our repertoire ranges from traditional swing music, rat pack numbers, soul, gospel, funk, pop and a whole lot more. If you would like any further information about the swing band and your local music centre, please contact Nick Dolling (Assistant Principal) at Kirklees Music School on 01484 426426.
The Senior Band performs on regular intervals throughout the school year. They play a mixed repertoire ranging from film and show scores to military band pieces. The band is open to players who have passed the standard of grade 4 on either brass, woodwind or percussion instruments.
The senior band (alongside the swing band) have toured France twice in recent years and is very pleased to be visiting Cologne, Germany this summer.
We are always looking for new players - come along and give us a try, you will be made most welcome.
The Intermediate Band is aimed at players who have reached grade two standard. They are directed by Mr Harrison and perform a wide range of music throughout the year. Running at a parallel in standard, is the 'Rock and Soul/Jazz Collective' group. The musicians in this group rarely use music and are encouraged to develop their aural awareness and improvisational skills at an earlier stage than most. Recent performances include music fromthe Blues Brothers and the classic hit from the 1960's, Knock On Wood.
The Blow and Bash Band is our youngest group of musicians. Each year we invite pupils from accross the area to join the band during their first year of playing in our Wider Opportunties/First Access schemes. The group works on developing the young musicians in both rhythm and pitch as well as learning all the skills a musician needs to play in ensembles. We also welcome Keyboard players to this ensemble. You only need to play a few notes to join this band - come along at 5pm on a Friday (during term time) to join in.
We also have two guitar groups - Junior and Intermediate guitars. Both directed by Miss Edwards (music centre leader), the groups play a variety of music ranging from classical to pop using various methods of playing including Kodaly. This year, the intermediate guitars willbe joining the swing band and senior band in a tour of Germany.
The Junior Strings and Intermediate Strings are both directed by Miss Broadbent. With some very talented musicians, these groups are going from strength to strength. They play a variety of music ranging from Pachelbel's Canon to the world famous Palladio by Karl Jenkins. Any new string players are always welcome, please feel free to come along on Fridays during term time.
Our final group is the Adult Percussion Ensemble. This group is tutored by Mr Hodgson and vary instruments and styles most terms. You do not need any musical experience for this group - tutoring is supplied each week! In recent years, the group have performed on Steel Pans, Djembe Drums and as a Samba Band. The music is learnt by ear and the group frequently join forces with other music centre ensembles and produce an amzing standard of playing at each concert. Why not finish the working week off with a exuberant, informative, enjoyable hour of percussion playing to prepare for the weekend ahead.