Music service staff visited 47 primary schools during the last week of term providing some Christmas cheer. The concerts were a great way for pupils see a variety of instruments and enjoy singing some Christmas classics.

An amazing concert involving 85 of our musicians. Congratulations to Intermediate Wind Band, Senior Wind Band, Percussion Ensemble and Youth Orchestra. 

The end of last term saw the Senior ensembles fly off on tour to the wonderful city of Vienna. After a long journey – coach through the night to Heathrow, then a flight to Munich and finally a coach journey to Vienna – we finally arrived!

Our hotel was near to the Prater, a fantastic theme park which features the iconic Ferris Wheel that was made famous by the film The Third Man.

In addition to spending time over the next few days, exploring the city centre and enjoying some of the delights that this amazing cultural capital has to offer, we also performed three concerts in a variety of venues. The first concert on Friday evening was in the Prater theme park.  We were a little late starting due to a passing rain shower! All the groups gave a good performance which was well received by the large appreciative audience.

We had a day sightseeing on the Saturday visiting  Schönbrunn Castle and Schönbrunn Zoo.  Sunday saw a more leisurely start before we headed off to Bad Tatsmannsdorf  via a visit Eisenstadt to explore the Esterhazy castle which featured an interactive exhibition on the life of the Haydn.

After a really nice meal at a restaurant just outside Bad Tatsmannsdorf we headed in to the town centre to perform on a magnificent bandstand. We received another fantastic reception from another great audience.

Monday saw our last concert performance in the morning in the centre of Vienna in a magnificent concert hall – The Ehrbar Saal. This venue is regularly used by  professional orchestras and chamber ensembles. It was a fantastic experience for our young players to experience performing in such a high quality venue. The hall was full and we gave a really memorable performance to a wonderful audience.  Afterwards we loaded the van and said goodbye to Mrs Calvert and Mr Hardy as they began their two day journey back home with all the instruments!

The rest of the group had time for some more sight-seeing  and a trip to the Prater to enjoy the rides and all the excitement of the fair!

On Tuesday we said goodbye to Vienna and began our long journey home to England reflecting on a fantastic tour where we managed to explore and experience a city steeped in history and with a musical heritage that is unmatched. 

Thanks to all the staff who gave up their time so willingly to ensure that everyone had a great time. Thanks also to Equity travel and Concerts Austria for putting together a brilliant tour for us. Most of all thanks to all of the members of the senior ensembles – you were great ambassadors for the East Riding and were a pleasure to spend time with!

Well Done

Teacher of Keyboard, Whole Class Instrumental and Primary Curriculum Music | Music Mark

We are delighted to announce that all EROCK bands have got through to the next round of the YWMF Gig Competition and have been invited to perform at Wetwang Village Hall, Southfield Road, Wetwang, Driffield, YO25 9XX on Saturday 11th March. 

Tickets: Tickets are £15 (under 16s go free) and are available from the YWMF website here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Yorkshire-Wolds-Music-Festival/t-rpqroxr 

Max audience is 150 so book early to avoid disappointment. 

The competition starts at 6.30pm and will be finished by 9.30pm. There will be bands of varying ages and levels of experience. Please come along and support us 

At the end of the summer term, after fantastic performances by our ensembles at Bridlington Spa for the Midsummer Festival  and other exciting summer events, the senior ensembles undertook their first tour for 3 years.

The Youth Orchestra, Senior Wind Band, Jazz Collective and Flute choir set off at midnight on 20^th July for the long drive through the night down to Poole to catch the morning ferry to Jersey on the start of what turned out to be a memorable tour.  The hostel was really friendly and made the group feel very welcome. The food was great with all of the groups dietary needs catered for brilliantly.

The members undertook 3 excellent concerts, one in the St Helier Methodist Centre, another outdoors in Liberation Square and a grand finale in the wonderful setting of Howard Davis Park on the purpose built bandstand.

It wasn’t all hard work however. There were plenty of opportunities to explore the unique and beautiful island. The group visited Gorey castle, explored Jersey Zoo and visited the historic war tunnels, which told the story of the German occupation of the channel islands during the second world war. There was even the opportunity to try foraging – exploring (and tasting) the hidden foods that can be found all around us. Who would have thought nettles could be so tasty!

All too soon the tour was over and it was time to return home and reflect on what was a fantastic experience. New friendships were made and the bonds that were formed will definitely have a positive effect on our ensembles moving forwards. It was great to be able to go away together again and to perform to new audiences and experience the delights that Jersey has to offer.

Thanks must go to the staff who gave up their time to support the ensembles and made sure that everything went smoothly. They really enjoyed the experience and were so impressed by the way all of the ensemble members conducted themselves – they were a delight!

Here’s looking forward to a fantastic year of exciting musical experiences ahead as we start our rehearsals and a new year of music making!

Battle of the Bands, 1^st July 2022, 7pm, Bridlington Spa 

Battle of the Bands 2022 is shaping up to be the most exciting one so far! 

We have 12 bands performing from the following schools: 

• There are two local and influential judges who will be looking for band performance skills such as tuning, balance, rhythmical accuracy, style, interpretation, ensemble skills, communication and composition.  
• Each band will be awarded a certificate of attendance and the winning band will receive a ‘winner’s award’, a Marshall Origin 50 amplifier and a recording session at the Hexagon Music Centre in Beverley. 
• Bands will be required to perform two songs; which can be covers, original compositions or a mixture of the two.  

Tickets are now available from the Spa Box office: Battle of the Bands 2022 (bridspa.com)

Booking is now open for our first concert of 2022! Join us in Howden Minster on Saturday 26 March at 1pm to hear pianist Duncan Honeybourne, praised for his 'glittering performances' (International Piano magazine). Duncan will be performing Schubert's powerful Sonata in A minor D784, alongside the world premiere of a new Yorkshire-themed work by award-winning composer Sadie Harrison, entitled Portraits from the Place of the Yew Trees.

Advance booking is recommended. To book free tickets, please use the following link to our online booking system or telephone Steven Goulden on 07743 448123.