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Music Groups

Joining one of the music groups in Kingston can introduce you to some new music to play, new friends and also new experiences, like performing in public.

You can pick up some valuable experience and skills which you learn by playing with others that can make you a better player.

Young people in a concert band rehearsal

Bands

Kingston's Youth Bands play a variety of popular and big band music and perform regularly around Kingston:

Kingston Wind Band
The Kingston Wind Band plays a variety of popular music from film and musicals and performs in public around Kingston at various times of the year, including in the town centre at Christmas or on Canbury Park Bandstand in the Summer. They rehearse each week on Thursday afternoons from 5:30 to 6:30pm at Tolworth Girls' School. The band is open to all percussion, woodwind and brass instrument players at Grade 2 to 5 standard.

Kingston Youth Concert Band (KYCB)
The KYCB is open to all percussion, woodwind and brass players at Grade 5 standard and above. The band plays a huge variety of music from film, TV, pop, classical and original compositions. They rehearse every Saturday morning from 9:15 to 11:15am at Coombe Girls' School.

Kingston Youth Big Band (KYBB)
The KYBB plays a wide range of jazz, from ballroom to festival and enables the band to perform at a variety of occasions, with regular gigs in and around the Borough.
The band rehearses every Saturday from 11:15 to 12:30pm at Coombe Girls' School.

Orchestras

If you play an orchestral instrument, then one of these orchestras could be perfect for you:

Kingston Junior Strings
If you play a string instrument such as a violin, viola, cello or bass the Kingston Junior Strings can give you your first ensemble experience in a relaxed, friendly environment. The group is suitable for you if you've learnt to read music and are not yet at Grade 2 standard. You'll be taught the basics of playing together and working with a conductor and specialist string tutors will provide tips and guidance on bowing, tuning and posture. The Junior Strings also gives members their first taste of the recording studio and presents a short programme of pieces at the end of each term. Rehearsals on Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 11:00am at Coombe Girls' School.

Kingston Training Orchestra
Join the Kingston Training Orchestra if you play a wind, brass, percussion or string instrument and are at Grade 2 to 5 standard. You'll be taught the fundamentals of orchestral playing and encouraged to improve your tone, rhythmic awareness and sense of phrasing as well as to consider the style and meaning of each piece you play. The Training Orcehstra's recent repertoire includes the theme from "Friends", "Johnny English", "The Pink Panther" and Elgar's "Pomp and Circimstance", which were recorded at Hook Recording Studio and performed in concert at the end of each term. The orchestra rehearses on Saturday mornings from 11:00am to 12:30pm at Coombe Girls' School.

Kingston Youth Orchestra
The Kingston Youth Orchestra is for players of grade 5 standard and up. Become a member and you'll benefit from regular specialized sectional rehearsals which help to develop advanced articulation, rhythm, dynamic range and tone production. The orchestra has a rich and eclectic repertoire: last season it included performances and recordings of John Williams' Symphonic Suite from Harry Potter, the finale of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Faure's Fantaisie for Solo Flute and Orchestra. Works are carefully chosen and specially arranged where appropriate to pose a range of stylistic and technical challenges. The Kingston Youth Orchestra can prepare you for county youth and semi-professional level playing as well as being a high-quality performing group in its own right. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at Tolworth Girls' School from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

Ensembles

These ensemble groups can let you perform with others playing your instrument:

Flute Choir
If you play the flute and are at Grade 5 standard or above, then you can join the Flute Choir, which rehearses on Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30am at Coombe Girls' School.

Guitar Ensemble
The Guitar Ensemble rocks, playing popular guitar classics, and is open to all guitar players (acoustic and electric) at Grade 2 standard and above who are able to read music and have been learning for at least a year. They rehearse on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00am at Coombe Girls' School.

More information

For more information about these groups and to join, visit the Kingston Music and Arts Service pages on the Kingston Council website (link below).

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