Ensembles at wandsworth music
“I have had the best time over the last 9 years at the academy and I know that it is because of my musical education at Wandsworth that I have now been given this opportunity at RCM. I’ve learnt so much over the years and have had amazing experiences, opportunities, support and care from everyone, it means the world to me – thank you so much!”
The Wandsworth Music Academy is a centre of musical excellence in South London and provides high quality ensemble progression pathways for children and young people.
From the very beginning of instrumental and vocal learning young people are supported to play and sing in ensembles, orchestras and bands through our bespoke ensemble development programme encompassing a variety of musical genres and traditions. Students who start their musical journey in a beginner ensemble will be supported to progress to our most advanced ensembles.
All ensembles regularly perform at a variety of prestigious events and venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, London Jazz Festival, Fairfield Halls, The Bedford and the annual European tour.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
CLICK THE ENSEMBLE LINKS BELOW TO READ MORE AND WATCH THEM IN ACTION OR CLICK APPLY NOW!
advanced ensembles
Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra
One of Wandsworth Music’s flagship ensembles, WPO is a full symphony orchestra for advanced orchestral musicians. The Orchestra performs a varied and challenging range of repertoire. Performance opportunities include concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Fairfield Halls, Wimbledon Tennis Championships and an annual European tour. Recently the orchestra have visited Slovakia, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Entrance is by audition for Grade 6+ players of brass, wind, string and percussion instruments.
WPO rehearse on Saturdays, 10.45am-12.25pm. There are also 3 days of intensive sectional coaching during the Autumn and Spring Half Term holidays.
Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra
One of Wandsworth Music’s flagship ensembles, the Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra is for advanced musicians with a keen interest in Jazz and improvisation. The Orchestra performs a varied and challenging range of repertoire and performs annually at the London Jazz Festival alongside some of London’s top up and coming jazz talent.
Entrance is by audition for Grade 6/7+ musicians playing Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Saxophone, Drums, Bass, Guitar and Keys.
Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra rehearse on Wednesdays, 7.15pm-9pm.
Pop & Rock Bands
For senior pupils in Years 7-13 playing Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Keyboards and vocalists at approximately Grade 5 + standard, or equivalent.
The bands perform twice a year at the infamous Bedford in Balham once home to the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith!
There are several bands who rehearse on Saturday mornings at various times between 8.30am-1.30pm.
Musical Theatre – WPT Seniors
Love to sing and dance? Then Wandsworth Performance Troupe is for you!
WPT Seniors is open to vocalists in school Years 7-13. WPT explore a variety of musical styles with a focus on musical theatre. WPT regularly perform at The Royal Albert Hall and Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
WPT Seniors rehearse on Wednesdays, 7pm-8.30pm.
Wandsworth Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is for singers in Years 7-13, with previous experience of choral singing.
The Chamber choir has a particular focus on multiple part singing across a range of classical and contemporary genres.
Chamber Choir rehearse on Wednesdays, 5.30-6.15pm
Chamber Music Ensembles
We run numerous chamber music ensembles for advanced instrumentalists, including string quartets, brass quintets, a saxophone quartet and wind ensembles. Groups are predominantly student led with support with coaching from Wandsworth Music tutors as required. All groups have regular performance opportunities throughout the year.
INTERMEDIATE ENSEMBLES
Wandsworth Concert Orchestra
WCO is a full symphony orchestra for intermediate orchestral musicians and the feeder ensemble to the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Orchestra performs a varied and challenging range of repertoire. Performance opportunities include concerts at Fairfield Halls, Croydon and the Clore Ballroom at the Southbank Centre.
WCO is open to young musicians playing brass, wind, string and percussion instruments at approximately Grade 3 to Grade 6 standard.
WCO rehearse on Saturdays, 12.30pm-1.30pm. There are also 3 days of intensive sectional coaching during the Autumn and Spring Half Term holidays.
Wandsworth Jazz 2
Wandsworth Jazz 2 is the feeder ensemble to the Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra. Jazz 2 is open to young musicians with a keen interest in jazz, playing Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Saxophone, Flute, Drums, Bass, Guitar and Keys at Grade 2 to Grade 5 standard.
The Jazz ensembles regularly perform at the Tooting Tram and Social and receive coaching from some of London’s top jazz musicians.
Jazz 2 rehearse on Saturday mornings, 10am-11am & 11am-11.50am.
Pop & Rock Bands
For intermediate instrumentalists and vocalists (equivalent to approx. Grade 3-5). The bands are open to Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Keyboards and vocalists.
The bands perform twice a year at the infamous Bedford in Balham once home to the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith!
The bands rehearse on Saturday mornings at various times.
Musical Theatre – WPT Juniors
Love to sing and dance? Then Wandsworth Performance Troupe Juniors is for you!
WPT Juniors is open to vocalists in Years 3-6. No previous experience necessary – just a love of singing and dancing!
WPT Juniors explore a variety of musical styles with a focus on musical theatre. WPT regularly perform at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
WPT Juniors rehearse on Wednesdays, 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Wandsworth Youth Choir
Wandsworth Youth Choir (WYC) is a group of young, enthusiastic vocalists who simply love to sing.
The choir is open to singers in Year 6+ who are passionate about singing and who are interested in performing alongside likeminded people as part of a fabulous choir.
The Youth Choir have performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
WYC rehearse on Wednesdays, 6.15pm-7.15pm
Guitar Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble is open to both electric and acoustic guitarists working at approximately Grade 1 to Grade 4.
Guitar Ensemble rehearse on Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm.
String Thing!
String Thing! is open to string players working at Grade 1 to Grade 4 standard.
String Thing! rehearse on Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Beginner ENSEMBLES
Wandsworth Junior Orchestra
WJO is open to young musicians playing brass, wind, string and percussion instruments at approximately Grade 1 to Grade 3 standard.
The repertoire is fun and engaging and introduces young musicians to the world of ensemble playing. The highlight of the year is the annual performance at the Wandsworth Carol Concert.
WJO rehearse on Saturdays, 12.30pm-1.30pm.
Concert Band
Concert Band is open to young musicians playing brass, wind and percussion instruments at from Pre-Grade 1 to Grade 4 standard.
Concert Band rehearse on Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm.
String Thing!
String Thing! is open to string players working at Grade 1 to Grade 4 standard..
String Thing! rehearse on Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Percussion Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble is open to drummers, pianists, percussionists and other young musicians at approximately Pre-Grade 1 to Grade 3 level, who are interested in playing tuned and un-tuned orchestral percussion instruments.
Young musicians will learn the important skills and techniques required to play as part of a large ensemble, and have the opportunity to progress into other orchestras and bands.
Percussion Ensemble rehearse on Saturdays, 12.30pm-1.25pm.
Junior Pop & Rock Bands
For young vocalists and instrumentalists in Years 3-6 playing Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards and vocalists.
The bands work towards an end of year performance at the infamous Bedford Pub in Balham, once home to the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith!
The bands rehearse on Saturday mornings at various times between 11.30am & 1.30pm.
Training Orchestra
For young instrumentalists in Years 3-6 just starting out on their musical journey!
Open to wind, string and brass players who have just started learning their instruments up to approximately Grade 1.
Training orchestra rehearses on Saturday mornings at 12.30pm-1.30pm.
other ENSEMBLES & mixed ability groups
Wandsworth BEYOND!
BEYOND is an inclusive, creative music ensemble for young people with Special Educational Needs/ Disabilities (SEND). The young musicians use a combination of traditional instruments, percussion, voices and music technology to create new music and develop their musical skills.
BEYOND rehearses twice a term at various schools in the borough, and perform at venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Fairfield Halls.
Steel Pan Jam
Steel Pan Jam is open to all secondary aged pupils – No previous experience of playing steel pans is required!
Steel Pan Jam rehearse on Saturdays, 12.30pm-1.20pm.
Music Production & Song-writing
No previous experience required!
Learn how to use loops to create your own composition; create drum beats and hooks; record your own voice or instrument and add effects; mix your track and much more!
Sessions run on Wednesdays, 6.30pm-8.30pm.