Huddersfield Music Centre

Music Centre Leader - Mr S Hazelton

Music Centre Co-ordinator - Miss R Denny

Thursday Evenings (during term time)

Moldgreen Community Primary School, The Avenue, Moldgreen, Huddersfield HD5 8AE

 

The Huddersfield Music Centre is one of seven such centres operating under the auspices of Kirklees Music School. Its primary function is to enable young people to develop the musical skills gained in their instrumental lessons by making music together in ensembles and bands of various standards and sizes. As well as deriving a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment making music it enables students to meet and make friends with young people from other schools. Playing in a group greatly improves musicianship skills and enables pupils to encounter a satisfying musical experience, often with just a few notes!

The ensembles perform at regular events including Christmas, Easter and summer Music Centre concerts, school concerts and the National Festival of Music for Youth. During rehearsals, parents are very welcome to stay and listen or have a drink in the staff room. We also have an active Parents' committee which is a vital aspect of the Centre, who are always looking for new members to help support activities and events. The Music Centre runs a tuck shop, to which it is suggested that each child brings about fifty pence.

 

Thursday

Junior Band	17.00-18.00	Mrs Dransfield
Senior Band	18.15-19.30	Mr Yates
Junior Guitars	17.00-18.00	Ms Crosby
Senior Guitars	18.15-19.30	Ms Crosby
Junior Strings	17.00-18.00	Mrs Kelly
Intermediate Strings	18.15-19.30	Mrs Williams
Junior Jazz	17.00-18.00	Mr Hodgson
Rock School	18.15-19.30	Mr Crone

 

Our Ensembles

Junior Strings, directed by Mrs Kelly (5pm to 6pm)

Our Junior string group consists of about 20 pupils, with abilities ranging from new starters to post grade 1. They’re a great group of children who get on really well with each other and are incredibly enthusiastic and eager to learn new pieces. All the children are very loyal to the group and some of them have been in Junior strings since they started playing 2 or 3 years ago. As their teacher, it is lovely to see how they all progress through each section of the group. The aim of this group is learning through fun and we often have quiz and joke time to liven up the session. For the last 2 years our group has taken part in the mass Junior String group at our Annual Showcase concert and all the children who have participated in this have absolutely loved it!

Intermediate strings, directed by Mrs. Williams (6:15pm to 7:30pm)

Huddersfield Intermediate Strings is a small group of students, consisting of mainly secondary school age children, although Junior School pupils are very welcome. The ability range is of Grade 2 upwards. The group performs in Music Centre concerts and, more recently, played in a Showcase Concert in Huddersfield Town Hall. They work hard but enjoy a friendly approach, which is important for the pupils' musical development.

Junior Guitars, directed by Ms Crosby (5pm to 6pm)

This group is for guitarists up to Grade 1 standard. Children are welcome as soon as they can play on string 4 with their thumb and walking fingers on strings 1,2 and 3. We play a variety of music and learn chords. The Junior Guitars play regularly in Music Centre concerts.

Intermediate Guitars, directed by Ms Crosby (6:15 pm to 7:30pm)

This group is for players of Grade 2 standard and above. More advanced players of Grades 6 to 8 are also well catered for in the ensemble. They play a wide range of repertoire from Baroque music to Irish folk and pop. The group plays regularly in Music Centre concerts and also participates in workshops and the National Festival of Music for Youth. Playing in a guitar ensemble greatly improves musicianship skills and enhances the experience of learning a solo instrument.

Jazz Group, coached by Mr Hodgson and Mr Crone (5pm to 6pm)

The Jazz group gives students the opportunity to play in a small group environment, performing both Jazz and Rock music. Elements of improvisation are introduced and students are encouraged to perform solos within each piece. Although they work extremely hard during each session, an informal atmosphere is encouraged, allowing for a naturally creative experience.

Rock School, coached by Mr Crone (6:15pm to 7:30pm)

The Rock School encourages composition alongside learning favourite songs. The main instruments taught are guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals although any instrument would be welcome! They work on building song structure and encourage solo playing whenever possible. The sessions offer individuals and bands the opportunity to hone, enhance and develop their individual and group working skills in an informal yet intense setting. the bands perform regularly at Music Centre concerts and gigs around the Huddersfield area.

Junior Band, directed by Mrs Dransfield (5:00pm to 6:00pm)

The Junior band offers a first ensemble opportunity to wind, brass and percussion pupils, rehearsing and performing a wide range of repertoire. The ensemble performs regularly at Music Centre concerts, often as the opening item! The group provides valuable experience for young musicians, laying the foundations for progression through the Music Centre ensembles

 

Senior Concert Band, directed by Mr Yates (6:15pm - 7.30pm)

Huddersfield Senior Band is a  progressive 40-piece concert band that's not afraid to try new things...rehearsing and performing a varied programme of music both for fun and for the community. We play classical arrangements, marches, popular music and modern pieces. Our concert programmes have included music by Gustav Holst, Percy Grainger, Philip Sparke, Ralph Vaughan Williams. 

The band performs at several concerts throughout the year including many charity concerts throughout the region.  The band has toured extensively touring Germany, Valkenburg, Paris, Poland as well as participating in social concert events at Alton Towers, Whitby Band Stand, Flamingo Land.

Member ship is open to all musicians who are grade 4 standard or above on their instrument. We have a wide age range from 12 years to 50 .  Instrumentation is typically that of military windband -woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. If you would like to meet new friends who share a common interest please come along to our rehearsals, you will be made most welcome.  

 

 

 

Autumn Newsletter 2011	Easter Fair Newsletter March 2012