Being a member of a music group is an enriching and rewarding educational experience. Group playing or singing helps improve individual musical skills. It is also great fun and a good way to meet other young people with musical interests. They celebrate their achievements in many concerts, festivals and musical events throughout the year as well as take groups on residentials and tours to widen horizons and provide enriching experiences for all members.

Voluntary committees support each ensemble with fundraising activities. Committee members are usually parents of current players. New volunteers are always very welcome.

Ensemble Pricing

The eight ensemble membership price bands below (A-H) are reflective of the different types of membership currently in use. Ensembles have been allocated a ‘Tier’ allowing a lower price for first access groups, and county groups that rehearse for fewer hours over the term. As previously, membership of more than one ensemble within the same pyramid (ensembles within the same area/county cluster) is included under a single, highest price, however multiple separate ensemble pyramids will be charged differently. 

If you have any questions about the pricing then please do call us on 023 8065 2037 or email music.service@hants.gov.uk.

Area Ensembles

Our area ensembles offer a wide range of opportunities from beginner level upwards. You can become a member at any time during the school year. Membership is open to young people up to the age of 19, who are in full-time education at school/college/home.

• Basingstoke
• Eastleigh
• Gosport, Fareham and Portchester
• Portchester, Fareham and Gosport Youth Bands
• Hamble
• Havant
• New Forest
• North East Hants
• Petersfield
• Romsey
• Winchester

Basingstoke Area

BAYO website

Basingstoke Area Youth String Orchestra

Conductor: Paul Timms
Assistant: Victoria Eglin
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Fridays, weekly 17:30pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Strings grades/stage 3 to 5+

Basingstoke Area Youth String Training Orchestra

Conductor: Christine Meers
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Fridays, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirements: Strings stage/grade 2 – stage/grade 4

Basingstoke Early Access String Ensemble

Conductor: Christine Meers
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Fridays, weekly, 16.45pm – 17.45pm
Requirements: Strings players learning for two terms – stage/grade 2

Basingstoke Area Youth Wind Orchestra

Director: Chris Pott
Assistant: Gary Chong
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Tuesdays, weekly 18.15pm to 19.15pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 4+

Basingstoke Area Youth Wind Training Orchestra

Conductor: David Heard
Assistant: Gary Chong
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Tuesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 1 to 4

Basingstoke Area Creative Ensemble

Conductor: Chris Pott
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Tuesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 4+

Basingstoke Area Youth Percussion Ensemble

Director: Chris Pott
Venue: Queens Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Mondays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Percussion players beginner to advanced

Basingstoke Area Youth Choir

Conductor: Emma Nunn
Venue: Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
When: Thursdays, weekly 17:45pm to 18:45pm

Eastleigh Area

Eastleigh Area Wind Orchestra

Director: Martin Garrod
Assistant: Rob Eastgate
Venue: Thornden Hall, Thornden Academy, Chandler’s Ford
When: Mondays, weekly 17:5pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 3

Eastleigh Area Wind Orchestra Trainers

This ensemble is for players who would like some ensemble experience before joining the main Wind Orchestra

Conductor: Rachel Nice
Venue: Thornden Hall, Thornden Academy, Chandler’s Ford
When: Mondays, weekly 16:15pm to 17:15pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion introductory to grade/stage 2+ level

Eastleigh Area String Training Orchestra

Director: Clare Prest
Venue: Thornden Hall, Thornden Academy, Chandler’s Ford
When: Mondays, weekly, 17:15pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 1 to 4

Eastleigh Area Starter Strings

Director: Clare Prest
Venue: Thornden Hall, Thornden Academy, Chandler’s Ford
When: Mondays, weekly, 17:00pm to 17:45pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 1 to 4

Eastleigh Area Guitar Ensemble

Conductor: Stuart Goodeve
Assistant: Simon King
Venue: Thornden Hall, Thornden Academy, Chandler’s Ford
When: Mondays, weekly 5.30pm to 6:30pm
Requirements: Guitar players learning for two terms – stage/grade 1

Gosport, Fareham and Portchester Area

Gosport and Fareham Youth Concert Band

Conductor: Matt Watling
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursday, weekly 18:00pm to 19:15pm
Requirements:Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 4+

Gosport and Fareham Wind Training Band

Conductor: Sam Ottley
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursdays, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion introductory to grade/stage 3

Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestra

Director: Jim Potter
Assistant: Heather Graham
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursdays, weekly 19:30pm to 21:00pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 5+, 
Strings grade/stage 3+

Gosport and Fareham Strings Orchestra

Conductor: Anna Pring
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursday, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 3+

Gosport and Fareham Young Strings

Conductor: Heather Graham
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursday, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirements: Strings beginner to grade/stage 3

Gosport and Fareham Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard Ensemble

Conductor: Martin McBeath
Venue: Henry Cort Community College, Fareham
When: Thursday, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Open to junior school age and above

Portchester, Fareham and Gosport Youth Bands

Portchester, Fareham and Gosport Youth Brass Band

Conductor: Matt Watling
Assistant: Georgina Boyles
Venue: Crofton School, Stubbington
When: Fridays, weekly 18:00pm to 19.15pm
Requirements: Brass/Percussion grade/stage 5+

Portchester, Fareham and Gosport Training Band

Conductor: Matt Watling
Venue: Crofton School, Stubbington
When: Fridays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Brass/Percussion grade/stage 3 +

Portchester, Fareham and Gosport Junior Band

Director: Jim Potter
Venue: Crofton School, Stubbington
When: Fridays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Brass/Percussion, introductory stage and above

Hamble Area

Director: Jamie Langridge
Assistant: Siobhan Godman
Venue: D@rt Centre, Wildern School
When: Tuesdays, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirements: Brass/Percussion grade/stage 4+

Hamble Area Youth Training Band

Director: Jamie Langridge
Assistant: Siobhan Godman
Venue: D@rt Centre, Wildern School
When: Tuesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Brass/Percussion grade/stage 1+

Havant Area

Havant Clarinet and Saxophone Choir

Director: Gemma Billington
Assistant: Sue Riggs
Venue: Horndean Technology College, Barton Cross, Horndean
When: Tuesdays, weekly 18:00pm to 19:00pm
Requirement: Clarinet grade/stage 4+, Saxophone grade/stage 5+, Percussion/Guitar/Piano grade/stage 6+

Havant Wind Ensemble

Conductor: Gemma Billington
Assistant: Sue Riggs
Venue: Horndean Technology College, Barton Cross, Horndean
When: Tuesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Woodwind/Brass/Keyboard/Guitar/Percussion players grade/stage 1-2+

New Forest Area

New Forest Ensemble

Director: Clare Prest
Assistant: Tanya Fay
Venue: Hounsdown School, Totton
When: Wednesday, weekly, 16:00pm to 17:00pm
Requirements: Entry level ensemble – one term of learning is all that is required!

North East Hants Area

North East Hants Area Senior Strings

Conductor: Carole Jenkins
Venue: The Wavell School, Farnborough
When: Wednesdays, weekly 17:30pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 3+

North East Hants String Training Orchestra

Conductor: Linda White
Venue: The Wavell School, Farnborough
When: Wednesdays, weekly 17:30pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Strings introductory to grade/stage 3

Hampshire Taiko (Japanese drumming)

Conductor: Catherine Capper
Venue: The Wavell School, Farnborough
When: Wednesday, weekly
Training ensemble 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Senior ensemble 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Requirements: age 11 to 18, beginners welcome

Petersfield Area

Petersfield Area Schools String Orchestra (PASSO)

Director: Helen Downham
Assistant: Bridget Hughes
Venue: The Petersfield School
When: Wednesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm 
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 1+

Romsey Area

RASO website

Romsey Area Youth Concert Band

Director: Alex Needham
Assistant:  Angela Williams
Venue: The Mountbatten School, Romsey
When: Thursdays, weekly 17:30pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 3+

Romsey Area Youth Jazz Orchestra

Director: Alex Needham
Assistant: Andy Veale
Venue: The Mountbatten School, Romsey
When: Thursdays, 19:00pm to 20:00pm
Requirements: Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Double Bass/Electric Bass, Drums/Percussion, grade/stage 6+ and to pass audition

Winchester Area

WASO website

Winchester Area Schools Introductory Band

Director: Jamie Langridge
Assistant: Charlotte Rennie
Venue: Concert Hall, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly, 16.15pm to 17.15pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage introductory level

Winchester Area Schools Wind Band

Conductor: Rob Eastgate
Assistant: Becs Vince
Venue: Music 2, Beacon Arts Centre, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly 17:00pm to 18:00pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 1+

Winchester Area Young String Ensemble

Conductor: Helen Liddle
Assistant: Louisa Dolphin
Venue: Drama 2, Beacon Arts Centre, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly, 17:15pm to 18:30pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 1

Winchester Area String Training Orchestra

Conductor: Gideon Baker
Assistant: Louisa Dolphin
Venue: Drama 1, Beacon Arts Centre, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly, 17:30pm to 18:45pm
Requirements: Strings grade/stage 3+

Winchester Youth Concert Band

Director: Jamie Langridge
Assistant: Angela Williams
Venue: Concert Hall, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly 17:20pm to 18:35pm
Requirements: Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 4+ and by audition

Winchester Youth Orchestra

Conductor: Martin Garrod
Assistant: Louisa Dolphin
Venue: Concert Hall, Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
When: Wednesdays, weekly 18:45pm to 20:00pm
Requirements: Strings/Wind/Brass/Percussion grade/stage 5/6+ depending on instrument. Entry by audition

County Ensembles

Membership is open to young people up to the age of 19, who are in full-time education at school/college/home.

The county orchestras and wind ensembles hold auditions at the end of the summer term (late June, early July).

The bands and choirs are open to members throughout the academic year.

• Orchestra
• Brass
• Wind
• Choir
• Jazz
• National Youth Ensembles

Orchestra

Director: Tom Goff
Venue: Thornden Hall, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2DW
When: Saturdays, fortnightly, 10:30am to 15:30pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 7+ and to pass annual audition

Hampshire County Youth Orchestras

Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra

Conductor: Tom Goff
Venue: Thornden Hall, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2DW
When: as identified, 15:50pm – 17:00pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 8+ and to pass annual audition (by invitation only)

Hampshire County Youth String Orchestra

Conductor: Brian Lloyd-Wilson
Venue: Thornden Hall, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2DW
When: Saturday, fortnightly 10:30am to 15:30pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 5+ and to pass annual audition

Brass

Director: Matt Watling
Venue: Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5FS
When: Saturdays, weekly 9:30am to 12:00pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 7+

Hampshire County Youth Bands Association

Hampshire County Training Band

Conductor: Ed March
Venue: Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5FS
When: Saturdays, weekly 10:00am to 12:00pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 5+

Hampshire County Junior Band

Conductor: Kiri MacDonald-Jones
Venue: Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5FS
When: Saturdays, weekly 10:00am to 12:00pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 3+

Wind

HCYWE website

Director: Gary Chong
Assistant: Rob Eastgate
Venue: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
When: Saturdays, every two weeks 12:00pm to 16.30pm
Requirements: at or close to grade/stage 7 and to pass an annual audition

Hampshire County Training Wind Ensemble

Conductor: Martin Garrod
Venue: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
When: Saturdays, every two weeks 10:00am to 13:00pm
Requirements: grade/stage 4+

Hampshire Flute Choir

Conductor: Carrie Hensel
Venue: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
When: Selected Sundays 9:00am to 13.00pm, (Dates 6/9/26, 11/10/26, 29/11/26, , 10/1/27, 7/2/27, 28/2/27, 14/3/27, 25/4/27, 16/5/27, 6/6/27)
Requirements: grade/stage 6+ and to pass an annual audition

Hampshire Percussion Ensemble

Conductor: Grace Lane
Venue: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
When: Saturdays, every two weeks 9.15am to 10.45am

Choir

HCYC website

Hampshire County Youth Choir

Conductor: Andrew Hayman
Pianist: Ashton Gray
Venue: The United Church, Winchester
When: Fridays, weekly 19:30pm to 21:00pm
For school years 10 to 13 (Grade 5 standard and above)

Hampshire County Youth Chamber Choir

Conductor: Andrew Hayman
Venue: The United Church, Winchester
When: Fridays, when required, 21:00pm to 21:30pm
Members drawn from the main Youth Choir

Hampshire County Youth Show Choir

Director: Nick Duncombe
Pianist: Ashton Gray
Venue: The United Church, Winchester
When: Fridays, weekly 17:00pm to 19:00pm
For school years 7 to 13

Hampshire County Youth Crescendo Choir

Director:  Ben Cooper
Pianist: TBC
Venue: The United Church, Winchester
When: Fridays, weekly 19:30pm to 20.45pm
For school years 7 to 9

Hampshire County Junior Choir

Conductor: Julie Shaw
Assistant: Helen Liddle
Venue: The United Church, Winchester
When: Fridays, weekly 16:45pm to 18:00pm
For school years 2 to 6

Jazz

Director: Dave Smith
Assistants: Dan Franks, Callum Quinn and Ted Carrasco
Venue: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
When: Sundays, at least four a term, 9:45am to 14:00pm
Requirements: Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano/keyboard, guitar, double bass/electric bass, drums/percussion, grade/stage 5+

National Youth Ensembles

To find out all about the National Youth Ensembles, click here.