Ensemble/Chamber Music Opportunities

[KingscoteStaff]

My DS is 11 and currently working for Grade 6 Cello. He plays in his school orchestra, but most of the players are Grades 2-4. He goes on an orchestra course most holidays.

What he would like would be a weekly session playing in a quartet/string ensemble/chamber group. Could be after school or weekends.

Has anyone come across such a thing? We are in SW London.

Thames Youth Orchestra?

or the national children's orchestra regional orchestras - don't they have quite regular rehearsals throughout the term, above and beyond the summer courses?

Saturday junior conservatoire ...

Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra - meets every Sunday in Wimbledon

Thanks for those suggestions!

I will look at Thames Youth and Stoneleigh Orchestras. Still would like an opportunity for quartets etc, though.

If you fancy travelling to Kent on a Saturday morning the Kent Academy of Music might be what you are looking for? www.kentacademyofmusic.co.uk

Sounds like he would benefit from something like CYM (main one at Morley College, or individual borough ones) or Junior Guildhall/Academy, although those are higher standards and therefore more competitive.

Lots of local authorities also run Saturday schools, ask your local music service and they will know. Likewise I'd imagine his teacher would be well placed to know about local opportunities.

It depends how far into the SW bit of London you are, but you could try Surrey county music ( see county council website). Rehearsals for most things are at Woking ( even tho the council is based in Kingston) and there is a group for just about everything.

Good suggestions above.

Perhaps advertise locally?
Also all the good private schools will have groups at that level at his age but that is not much help if he's not in a school with good performers at that age.

Does the local music service not offer anything? Also what about playing " with the big kids" at school- or is there not any higher level music in the school ? (6th formers at out schools organise quartets etc as part of their "service" element to the school- and to add material about " leadership" etc for UCAS I'm sure LOL)

As Moomin says, perhaps one of the London Saturday conservatoires. I know people at Guildhall who are very happy with the programme.

Saturday conservatoires do 1st and 2nd study lesson, chamber music, orchestra, choir, musicianship (at least that's what mine did) and some do conducting and composition too. Very worthwhile, intense and expensive ... £3,000+ a year. Believe some bursaries available.

Moomin, hijacking a bit but OP might have similar queries.

Been considering possibility of a saturday conservatoire for 10 yo dd. Not in London anymore so RCM and Guildhall cant be considered options but can look at something closer.

It looks like a very full on day and while dd loves music, I do wonder. How did yours find it (and also the family as undoubtedly it is a big commitment for everyone)?

Saturday school at RCM or Guildhall not poss due to Football matches on Sat am. It does seem as though children must choose between sport or music at the weekend.

I'm investigating Stoneleigh, but he would still like a smaller chamber group, ideally after school.