Our Groups Bands and Orchestras

Currently we have five County Youth Orchestras, three Youth Concert Bands a Junior Youth String Group and a Youth Opera company along with chamber music and percussion courses.

When do the Groups, Bands and Orchestras meet?

Bedfordshire’s youth music groups meet on a non-residential course during the main school holidays. Courses usually last between three and five days and always end with a concert at either a local concert venue such as the Corn Exchange, Bedford, or local churches and schools.  It has become a tradition for many of our groups to perform bi-annually at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the senior bands and orchestras often tour abroad.  Each year, the Youth Opera holds a week long residential course in late. 
August followed by a week of intensive rehearsals in Bedford prior to the annual production during the first week in September.

How do I get involved?

Annual auditions are held early in the Autumn Term for many of the instrumental groups, and in January for the Youth Opera.  Fourth Orchestra and Junior Strings accept members by teacher recommendation on reaching the required standard during the year, and Brass Band, Percussion and Chamber courses are open to all students who have reached the required standard.

How will I get to the courses and concerts?

Coach transport is provided for students to get to and from the instrumental courses each day from a number of pick-up points throughout the County.

Is there a cost involved?

There is a cost for participation in youth music activities. 
Actual costs are based upon the duration of each group’s course. 
For more information about the specific costs of courses, please contact Bedfordshire Music.

Our Groups, Bands and Orchestras

 County Youth Orchestra| (pdf opens in new window)
 County Second Orchestra| (pdf opens in new window)
 County Third Orchestra| (pdf opens in new window)
 County Fourth Orchestra| (pdf opens in new window)

 County Junior Strings| (pdf opens in new window)

 County Youth Concert Band| (pdf opens in new window)
 County Second Concert Band| (pdf opens in new window)
 County Third Concert Band| (pdf opens in new window)

 Auditions 2008-2009| (pdf opens in new window)

The Youth Opera and other music courses

Bedfordshire Youth Opera|

 Courses 2008-2009| (pdf document opens in new window)

 Percussion Courses| (pdf opens in new window)

 Chamber Music Courses| (pdf opens in new window)
 Chamber course invite| (pdf document opens in new window)

 Fourth Orchestra course invite| (pdf document opens in new window)

 Junior strings course invite| (pdf document opens in new window)