TWANGO!

Director:  Martina Zuhlke

Originally formed around 8 years ago by 3 local classical guitar teachers, Twango! became part of the SMS ensemble stable 4 years ago. Rehearsing twice a month at Foundry Lane Primary School on a Wednesday from 4.30 - 6.00pm, Twango! play a wide variety of specially arranged music ranging from Vivaldi to James Brown! Members ages range from 9 to 17 and new classical players are always welcome. Twango has players in the grade 1-5 category and another group, Kerrango, has players from grade 5 up. Twangolitos, a group for beginners up to grade 1, meets weekly. Twango attended the World Youth Guitar Festival in July 07 and are planning several concerts, workshops and a tour for 08.  Please click here to visit the twango website.

We also have a junior guitar ensemble, Twanglitos who rehearse on Thursday from 3.45 - 4.45pm at Bitterne Park Infant School.

THE SOUTHAMPTON CLARINET CHORALES

Director: David King

There are two clarinet chorales: a Senior and a Junior group.  The Junior group ranges from grade 1/2-4, and the Senior group from 4/5 to 8.  They are given the opportunity to experience ensemble playing, and to improve their own individual standards in technique and sight reading.  The music ranges in style from classical to modern and from duets to quartets.

The main focus of the clarinet chorales is the development of good intonation and technique.  Students experience playing the full range of the clarinet family of instruments.  They develop the confidence to lead a section and to play a solo line within the ensemble.

The clarinet chorales rehearse on alternate Saturdays at Cantell School between 9.30 - 11.00am.


THE SOUTHAMPTON FLUTE CHOIRS

Director: Claire Stocker

The Southampton Flute Choirs were established in 1999.  They give an opportunity for many talented flute players within the city to perform in an ensemble.  Each group rehearses on alternate Saturday mornings at Cantell School, from 9.30 - 11.00am, where skills such as sight-reading and playing as a group are developed.  The groups cover the full ability range and enable flautists to progress from a band or orchestra, to an appropriate flute choir, to a different ensemble and then back to a different flute choir

The flute choirs perform as guests of a range of other ensembles.

The Premier Flute Choir has been fortunate enough to benefit from expanding the range of instruments to include an alto and bass flute.  This extends the repertoire which the group can play and also produce a richer and deeper sound.

AIRPLAY - WIND BAND

Director - Stephanie Watkins

Airplay is the first band for young woodwind players from beginners to approximate grade 2/3. The age range is generally from 7 - 12yrs, and instruments include oboe, bassoon, saxophone and french horn.

Rehearsals are at Sholing Junior School between 4-5pm on Thursdays during term time.

Players are welcome to come and try a session.

JUNIOR CONSORT!

Director: Anna Thompsett/Anita Felton

Junior Consort! is open to children from Year Four and above. Our current members are from Years Five, Six and Seven. There is no audition. Children will be invited to attend a rehearsal. If they enjoy it and can play to a minimum standard they will be invited to join. The children need to be able to play notes B, A, and G confidently and be able to read from notation. Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesdays from 4.15 - 5.15 p.m. at Ludlow Junior School, Bitterne.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

Director: Ted Carrasco

From September 2008 we will have two percussion ensembles who will rehearse as follows;

West - Oakwood Junior School, Tuesday 4.30 - 5.30pm

East - Itchen College, Wednesday, 4.30 - 5.30pm

PHOENIX

Director: Ping Hua

The Phoenix Arts Group was formed at the beginning of 2002 based on the former Southampton Chinese School Orchestra & Dance Group. 

The aims of the group are to promote Chinese culture and to enable the local Chinese community to contribute towards the cultural diversity of Southampton and the surrounding region, to raise awareness and understanding of Chinese art and culture amongst all communities.  

The age range of the members of the group is from 6 to 17.   There are three Chinese music instrumental classes and instrumental ensembles taking place every Saturday from 12pm to 1pm at Cantell School.  The three music instruments are: Dizi: Chinese Bamboo flute; Erhu: two stringed fiddle, also called Chinese Violin, and Pipa: Four stringed Lute.  

The group's instrumental ensemble participated in the Annual Cultural Performance Competition organised by UK Federation of Chinese Schools in 2002 and 2003 and won the top prize both times in the music instruments category. 

Please visit the website: http://www.southamptonchinese.org.uk/activites/arts.htm for more details.

How can I join?

If you are interested in joining one of the above orchestras please fill in our online enquiry form and you will be contacted shortly.