The Ensembles

Since 1994 the Schools’ Music Service has continued to expand its ensemble provision, to provide opportunities for young musicians in the East Riding of Yorkshire to play in large and medium sized groups with players of similar abilities.  Entry into most of the ensembles is by teacher recommendation although entry to the Youth Orchestra is by audition; the grades listed below are intended as a guide, as age and previous experience are also taken into account when offering places.

All of the ensembles perform a variety of concerts throughout the year in the East Riding and surrounding areas. A number of our senior ensembles regularly take part in the National Festival of Music for Youth and undertake foreign tours.

East Riding Youth Orchestra (ERYO)

The Youth Orchestra provides the opportunity for musicians from the East Riding secondary schools to play in a large symphony orchestra and experience a wide variety of music from the symphonic repertoire. It regularly tours to various locations including Northern Italy (2010), Berlin (2012), Belgium/Holland (2014) and Salzburg (2016). A close association with the Beverley Chamber Music Festival and the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra has provided the orchestra with the opportunity of working with numerous national and internationally renowned musicians. The ERYO has a current playing strength of 57, with a minimum entry standard of Grade 5. The orchestra performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth in 2015 and 2016.

East Riding Intermediate String Ensemble (ERISE)

The repertoire explored by the members of this ensemble is by design of a more challenging standard than that of the Junior String Orchestra. With a greater emphasis on the technical and stylistic variety of musical genres, the East Riding Intermediate String Ensemble aims to further develop ensemble skills and provide an increased challenge for the players.  The ensemble currently has around 45 players and the entry requirement is Grade 3.

East Riding Junior String Orchestra (ERJSO)

The aims of the East Riding Junior String Orchestra are to lay the foundations for good orchestral playing, with an emphasis on developing good intonation and rhythmic awareness in an enjoyable environment. ERJSO currently has a membership of around 45 players.  The entry requirement is approximately Grade 1.

East Riding Senior Wind Band (ERSWB)

The Senior Wind Band has a current membership of around 60 players between the ages of 12 and 18.  The minimum entry requirement is Grade 5.  The repertoire is wide and varied, ranging from original wind band works to arrangements of film and pop music. Since it was formed, the Senior Wind Band has undertaken several foreign tours, to various locations including Croatia (2011), Rhineland (2013), Loire Valley (2015) and Croatia (2017). The Senior Wind Band performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

East Riding Intermediate Wind Band (ERIWB)

Having around 60 members, the Intermediate Wind Band performs a varied repertoire ranging from classical through to pop.  The main aim of the ERIWB is to provide wind, brass and percussion players of around Grade 2 and above standard with valuable ensemble training in an enjoyable environment.

East Riding Junior Wind Band (ERJWB)

Launched in September 2013, the East Riding Junior Wind Band provides woodwind, brass and percussion players residing in the East Riding of Yorkshire with the opportunity to play in a wind band with players of similar abilities.  Membership of the band is open to players of up to grade 2 level.

East Riding Youth Jazz Orchestra (ERYJO)

With an entry requirement of around Grade 5, the Youth Jazz Orchestra consists of the standard big band line up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section.  It has a current membership of around 20 players, and the orchestra toured with the ERSWB in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 & 2017.

East Riding Flute Choir

This is a new group being set up from September 2017 to provide flute players residing in the East Riding of Yorkshire with the opportunity to play in a flute choir with players of similar abilities.  To be a member of the choir you need to be recommended by your teacher.

East Riding Percussion Ensemble (ERPE)

The Percussion Ensemble performs a wide and varied advanced repertoire. This ensemble was invited to perform at CBSO Centre in Birmingham in 2017 as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth. Entry is by teacher recommendation.

East Riding Junior Percussion Ensemble (ERJPE)

The Junior Percussion Ensemble was launched in September 2013 to provide young percussion players residing in the East Riding of Yorkshire with the opportunity to play in an ensemble with players of similar abilities. The group has access to the wide range of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments that are housed in the percussion studio at the Hexagon Music Centre.

East Riding Youth Singers (ERYS)

This group provides an opportunity for our most accomplished singers to sing in a group with singers of similar age and abilities.  Membership of the Youth Singers is by invitation and/or audition. In addition to performing at our annual Vocal Showcase concert, the choir regularly take part in other ensemble concerts. There are currently around 30 members of the Youth Singers.

Fusion Choir

The aim of the fusion choir is to provide an opportunity for young singers to rehearse and perform as a group. The repertoire includes gospel and popular music and is focussed on contemporary music, improvisation and free-styling.