County-Wide Opportunities
Buckinghamshire County Ensembles 2022/23 Season
We are delighted to announce the new season for BCYO, BYWE, BCYC & BYJC
Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra (BCYO)
Musical Director: Tom Horn
Orchestral Manager: Melinda Priestley
The orchestra has a strong reputation for high quality performance both at home and abroad, having enjoyed tours to Budapest, Prague, Iceland and Jersey in recent years, as well as many UK concerts at venues such as St Johns Smith Square. This season will feature an exciting and varied programme of film music.
Buckinghamshire Youth Wind Ensemble (BYWE)
Musical Director: Ed Hodgson
Orchestral Manager: Fay Hayhurst
The high levels of musicianship in this ensemble means that it produces performances of exceptional quality, playing repertoire designed to challenge each player and provide them with a unique chamber ensemble experience. Players work alongside professionals in rehearsal to develop both their technical knowledge as well as their musicianship skills.
Bucks County Youth Choir (BCYC)
Musical Director: Edwin Pitt Mansfield
Associate Director: Fiona Firth
BCYC is an auditioned choir for experienced young singers and musicians who enjoy working on high-level choral repertoire and building core ensemble skills. It is a county-wide ensemble working in a high performing but friendly and supportive environment. This season features an eclectic range of music from Renaissance to Contemporary in genre and spanning different languages.
Bucks Youth Jazz Collective (BYJC)
Musical Director: Ralph Wyld
Manager: Fay Hayhurst
The central ethos of this new and exciting group is improvisation, with the majority of time spent working in small groups on interaction, listening and leadership and will include opportunities to work with established players. In addition to preparing for performances, there is a strong emphasis on process, ensuring our young jazz musicians have the skills to play in and lead jazz ensembles, and preparing them for further studies.
Programme of events:
- All four groups exist to provide access to high level repertoire working with the best young musicians in the county and our programmes will also include some partnership and masterclass opportunities with established professional musicians.
- We recognize that at this level, many young people are pursuing music seriously and so the schedules for these groups are designed such that you can participate in more than one group should you wish. This also allows university students to return to Bucks to take part and we encourage them to do so.
- This year’s programme will include a exciting 5-day, 4 concert tour of Ghent in Belgium, that will include performances at Ghentfest and its associated festival events, which attracts large audiences from the region.
- Members should be aware that other performance opportunities may arise during the year, and we will give as much notice as possible for these.
- The skeleton dates below are firm and must be fully committed to except in exceptional circumstances. As most players are in their upper school years, the summer term schedules ensure that they do not interfere with exam preparation.
Applications:
All groups are open to any young person up to the age of 22 of the required standard. Applications are considered for any child currently or previously resident or at school in Buckinghamshire and from any adjacent area where similar provision is not available.
- BCYO & BYWE are open to players at Grade 7 level or above on their instrument. We will always consider applications from students working towards Grade 6 with the support and recommendation of their teacher and then assess their suitability at audition.
- BCYC is open to any musician who has reached minimum standard of Grade 5 or higher in any instrument. All new singers will be expected to audition for a place in the ensemble. It is not essential to be having singing lessons, but some singing experience and an appropriate level of reading and musicianship skills are necessary.
- BYJC is open to players of any instrument with some experience and a passion for jazz and improvisation. They should be of a standard to play in a senior band or orchestra and most importantly be passionate about improving their skills and challenging themselves to improve.
Auditions:
- Existing members must complete a new application form and will need to audition for seating purposes. Prospective new members will be contacted for an individual audition as applications are received.
- All BYJC applicants will be ‘auditioned’ at a workshop session with the director
- We will endeavour to arrange auditions in the most convenient location across the three BMT music centres in High Wycombe, Amersham & Aylesbury
- Applicants for BCYO, BYWE & BCYC will be required to sing/play a solo unaccompanied piece of their choice and undertake some unseen sight reading/singing
Membership Fees:
Fees for the 2022/23 season are as follows:
| 1 group | £800 |
| 2 groups | £850 |
| 3 groups | £900 |
| 4 groups | £950 |
- Fees include all elements of the programme, including the full cost of residentials
- Subsidies are available for students eligible for FSM (50%) and siblings (15%)
- Payment plans can be arranged to spread the cost across the year
- Access to all senior county groups is driven by ability and opportunity. We want all eligible and committed young musicians to be able to take part. If the cost presents a challenge, particularly in the current situation, then please contact the Director of Music at BMT for a confidential discussion via director@bucksmusic.org
Applications for the 2023/24 Season will open soon
Joining any of the senior groups requires the commitment to attend all the dates listed above.
Do not send any payment now – once registered you will be contacted to agree your payment plan.
Student Leadership Programme
BMT is keen to promote meaningful leadership opportunities for young people. This programme will provide excellent young musicians in the county the opportunity to achieve ArtsAward at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, which are comparable awards to GCSE and A-Level qualifications. For more information, please visit www.artsaward.co.uk.
To apply for the Student Leadership programme, students will need to complete a formal application and be willing to make a significant contribution to music-making in the county.