FAQs
I’m not sure which ensemble is right for my child?
No problem. Just drop your child’s teacher a note through your SpeedAdmin Student Planner or alternatively please email us at music.service@trafford.gov.uk. If your child does not have lessons with us let us know what instrument they play, ability and age and if they have specific musical interests eg do they love jazz, film music, classical or want to be in a particular group like an orchestra or wind band.
My child learns with a private tutor can they still join a Trafford Music Service ensemble?
Yes, we welcome all young musicians, please register here.
How does my child progress through ensembles?
We love to encourage progress through our ensembles and we work hard to make sure that there is an ensemble for every age group. If you feel that your child is ready to move up, or you simply want to enquire, send us an email to Music Service email and we will speak to the ensemble director on your behalf. Some of our senior ensembles require an audition – please find the audition form here.
How do I pay for an ensemble?
The ensemble will be added to your child’s SpeedAdmin account and you will be invoiced each term in advance – or before if starting mid-term. If your child joins after the half term break you will only be charged for a half term membership.
How often are the performances and can we bring family members to the concerts?
We plan to do concerts in a different concert venue each term – which gives our students a rich performance experience. We’d love you to bring your family members and little ones are particularly welcome. Sometimes we may need to limit ticket capacity, for a number of reasons, but we will tell you in advance if this is the case.
My child has another club on the ensemble rehearsal night – will the ensemble timetable change next year?
We try not to change our timetable and it is very rare when we do as we coordinate hundreds of children in our ensembles programme each week.
My musician son/daughter is doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award can they help out at an ensemble?
Yes, particularly in our junior ensembles as we find that it is really useful for our young players to have role models. Please email us on music.service@trafford.gov.uk tell us a little about them, what they’d like to achieve and what ensemble they’d like to support.
Why is playing in an ensemble important?
Helps a student gain confidence in their playing.
Student’s get to socialise and make friends from other schools who play their instrument.
It encourages and develops improved reading of music notation – though not all ensembles require this skill.
Children can experience a broad variety of styles.
Develops listening and watching skills by creating blended sounds and following a conductor.
Motivation: Playing in an ensemble encourages home practise.
Encourages group discipline and learning.
Speeds up the learning and knowledge of their instrument.
Students get to perform in the region’s top concert venues as well as in the community through our Music Kindness events.
It’s fun and the start of something really special in your young person’s life!
“If your child is learning to play an instrument, I thoroughly recommend that you register them for an ensemble as soon as they can. I saw a huge difference in my daughter’s playing – it’s like several weeks’ practice rolled into one session – plus meeting so many children that played the same instrument made such a difference to her personal confidence.”
Year 3 parent, Old Trafford
Membership Fees
There is a termly subscription for ensemble membership which is charged termly in advance. Junior and Senior ensembles are charged at different rates, charges for ensembles can be found here. If your child joins an ensemble after the half term break you will only be charged for a half terms membership.
Already an ensemble member?
Tell us why it’s special….. Does your child attend one of our ensembles? Drop us an email here music.service@trafford.gov.uk and we’ll feature you in our website quotes and on our social media.