Requirements

Woodwind - Grade 3+
Brass - Grade 3 +
Percussion - by invitation

Conductor: Susan Lewis

The Band currently has over 65 players and has proved very successful with many of the members graduating to the Concert Band, Sinfonia and Philharmonic Orchestras.
Members range in age from 9 to 18 years old. New members are always welcome with the minimum standard being Grade 3 but this being dependent on the instrument played.
Rehearsals are held at Acre Hall Primary School every Friday between 6.30pm and 8.00pm during term time.

The band performs at concerts throughout the year and is particularly busy during the summer months, performing at many local venues and festivals. Performances have also taken place at the Lowry Centre and the Bridgewater Hall.

The Wind Band is a member of the British Association of Symphonic Wind Bands and Ensembles (BASBWE) (opens in a new browser window) and has previously taken part in events organised by the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) (opens in a new browser window).

Requirements

Strings - Grade 4+
Woodwind - Grade 5+
Brass - Grade 5 +
Percussion - by invitation.

Conductor: Richard Boardman

The Trafford Youth Sinfonia enables wind and string players to gain invaluable ensemble experience, in preparation for moving on to the Philharmonic Orchestra.

There are currently 60 members, all players gaining entry by informal audition. Rehearsals are held at Acre Hall Primary School from 7.00pm to 9.00pm every Friday during term time.

Requirements

Strings - Grade 6+
Woodwind - Grade 8
Brass - Grade 8
Percussion - by invitation

Trafford Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is the senior orchestral group of the five which comprise Trafford Youth Orchestras. It draws players from the junior ensembles, and from across the North West region. The orchestra, which meets on Friday nights at Acre Hall Primary School from 6.45 - 9.00, performs locally three times a year, and also takes part in several other high-profile events. In recent years, several members of TYPO have gone on to study at music college, and some return to assist the orchestra during vacations. Under their conductor, Mr Paul Witkiewicz, the orchestra performs repertoire from a wide range of periods and styles.

Requirements

Strings - Grade 1+

Conductor: Robert Guy

Trafford Youth Junior Strings is open to players of grade 1 to 4 standard. Rehearsals for Junior Strings take place at Acre Hall Primary School, Flixton on Friday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.00pm during term time.

Stretford and Urmston Music Centres along with children from accross the whole borough feed into the ensemble, which rehearses as a group and occasionaly divides into smaller groups for sectionals.

The ensemble works on a variety of music; classical music by Beethoven and Haydn, to jazz and popular tunes as well as creating their own music through improvisation. 

Performances take place at the end of each term with the other TYO ensembles, ending with a Gala concert at the end of the year.

The staff and members of this group are very enthusiastic and welcome new members to join the fun.

Requirements

Woodwind - Grade 6+
Brass - Grade 6 +
Percussion - by invitation.

Conductor: Hywel Lewis

A group of wind, brass and percussion players aged 15 to 18 years of age, the concert band meets on Friday nights from 6.30pm to 8.30pm during term time at Acre Hall Primary School, Flixton. Open to brass and woodwind players of approximately Grade 6 or over and to percussion players by invitation it rehearses under professional tutelage with a wide repertoire of music ranging from arrangements from popular shows and charts to classic concert band repertoire and more modern upbeat numbers. It provides a stimulating and challenging ensemble experience for all players and undertakes many concert opportunities locally and further afield. There are over forty playing members.

The band has shared concerts with the Manchester Camerata Orchestra and Chethams Chamber Choir, played with guest soloist Hugh McKenna from the Halle Orchestra, performed at the Bridgewater Hall and Royal Northern School of Music as well as our local Sale Town Hall and received awards at two National Concert Band North West Area Festivals.

The Concert Band is a member of the British Association of Symphonic Wind Bands and Ensembles (BASBWE) (opens in a new browser window) and has previously taken part in events organised by the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF)(opens in a new browser window).