Following the success of the Wiltshire Young Singers at the Mid-Somerset Festival, winning two trophies in the Sacred and secular under 16’s category and the under 16’s free choice category – The charity, with groups around the county, are now opening their doors to young people with absolutely no previous musical experience. Their brand-new pick up and play groups, to be based at the Wiltshire music centre, offer young people the chance to play musical instruments for the first time at a very low cost. The charity will even offer the budding musicians an instrument to take home free of charge, with weekly rehearsals at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.
The Wiltshire Young musicians, born out of the now ceased Wiltshire Music Service, have been based at Bradford on Avon’s Wiltshire Music Centre since 1990, with many of their flagship ensembles rehearsing in the centre itself. Despite Junior groups being available in strings and wind instruments in Devizes, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Royal Wooton Bassett, the Wiltshire Young musicians have never had a grass roots tuition group before.
Now, under the leadership of newly appointed Executive Director, Chris Turner, the organisation is in a transition phase which includes growing into more Wiltshire towns and bringing new opportunities to the young people of Wiltshire, particularly those who have never had the chance to experience being part of an ensemble before. Alongside the new ‘Pick up and Play’ groups at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Warminster will also be graced with the young musician’s presence for the first time. The Warminster Young singers, a vocal group for 7 – 17-year-olds is coming to the Warminster Civic centre, and their youngest group ever, the West Wiltshire Mini Singers a group for 4 – 7 year olds also gets off the ground.
Executive Director Chris Turner said ‘We are so excited to be offering as part of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plan, more accessible groups to the young people of Wiltshire – it is long overdue. We hope Wiltshire schools will be ready to build strong relationships with us, and we can’t wait to offer high quality performance opportunities to more young singers and musicians throughout the county.”
Pick up and play groups and the mini singers will run on Tuesdays between 4pm and 6pm at the Wiltshire Music centre, Bradford on Avon. The new singing group will rehearse in Warminster Civic Centre on Monday’s at 4pm. Kirsten Mulcahy, who is currently head of creative arts at Wiltshire Rural Music, will be leading the vocal group. If you are interested in joining the new groups, or any of the Wiltshire Young Musician’s ensembles, you are encouraged to check out their website www.wiltshireyoungmusicians.org.uk or contact their office via info@wiltshireyoungmusicians.org.uk.