County Music Groups
Orchestras, bands and jazz orchestra
Suffolk County Music Service (SCMS) runs a bespoke programme for Suffolk’s finest young musicians. These high-level County Music Groups offer exciting performance opportunities throughout the year, performing at prestigious venues. Selected ensembles also have the opportunity to tour internationally each year.
Ensembles are coached by SCMS’s professional team of tutors and guest artists from our partner professional orchestras, which in recent seasons have included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
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Suffolk Youth Orchestra: for instrumentalists aged 21 and under, playing at Grade 6+ standard and above (or equivalent).
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Suffolk Youth Wind Band: for woodwind, brass & percussion players aged 21 and under, playing at Grade 5+ standard and above (or equivalent).
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Suffolk Young Strings: a string orchestra for players aged 16 and under, playing at Grade 4+ standard (or equivalent).
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Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra: for trumpet players, trombonists, saxophonists, drummers & percussionists, guitarists, a keyboard/piano player and a bassist (electric or acoustic). Grade 5+ standard. Other instruments considered upon request. Applications for this will be available very soon. Applications are now open and you can find out more on our SYJO page.
Why join?
- Regular International concert tours. Suffolk Youth Orchestra and Suffolk Youth Wind Band presently tour annually, the aspiration is for Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra and Suffolk Youth Brass Band to start touring as soon as viable.
- Perform in prestigious concert halls, including Snape Maltings.
- Work with, and learn from professional musicians such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
- Take your instrumental skills to the very highest levels.
- Learn, play and perform a varied and exciting programme of music.
- Develop your ensemble performance skills.
- Play with like-minded musicians and friends as part of a brilliant team!
- Experience a progressive pathway in your personal, musical and broader educational development and gather excellent experience for your CV/ College/University application statements.
More information
Find our rehearsal and performance dates for the 2024-25 season.
Read on to find our costs, membership conditions and frequently asked questions.
Open the menu below to find out how to apply and read more information about the County Music Groups.
Contact us if you have any questions by email county.musicservice@suffolk.gov.uk or phone 01473 263400.
How to apply
Please contact us if you need a digital or paper copy of the form.
Before you apply, please consider the following carefully:
- Check your availability for all dates – all the groups require every player to rehearse and perform. Seating positions within an ensemble can be greatly affected by the availability of members.
NB. The yearly programme for SYO & SYWB builds towards our international tours. All rehearsal days and concerts throughout the year are designed to prepare these ensembles for our international concert schedule and to ensure that these tours are of the very highest quality. Due to this, our members availability for the tours are of the upmost importance.
Complete the County Music Groups 2024-25 online application form.
Please contact us if you need a digital or paper copy of the form.
Suffolk Youth Orchestra
We are a full symphony orchestra, currently consisting of 60 players, that enjoys playing major symphonic repertoire.
Each season we perform in some of the UK's major concert halls.
The highlights of our season include a 4-day residential in April, often tutored by musicians from the London orchestras and the annual Summer Concert Tour, where members will experience an international tour managed by a professional music touring company.
During the tour you will get the opportunity to play in unforgettable venues in amazing cities all over Europe.
On our return, we always look forward to performing at the world-famous Snape Proms music festival.
Recent tour destinations include:
- Czech Republic and Slovak Republic (2015)
- Germany (2016)
- Poland (2017)
- Spain (2018)
- Italy (2019)
- Germany (2022)
- Spain (2023)
- Italy (2024)
Season highlight!
In 2023 we we worked with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Suffolk University on an exciting ground-breaking video game composition and recording programme, in partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Suffolk Youth Wind Band
We are a full Symphonic Wind Band, currently consisting of 45 players, that enjoys playing works from both the major symphonic wind band and wind orchestra repertoire as well as a lighter repertoire, from films, shows, and popular artists.
Each season we perform in fantastic concert halls including Snape Maltings, as well as beautiful and important cultural venues during our international tour.
The highlights of our season include a 4-day residential in April, and the annual Summer Concert Tour itself, where members will experience an international tour managed by a professional music touring company.
On our return, we always look forward to sharing our experiences and music with a home audience in our Gala Concert back at Snape.
Recent tour destinations include:
- Spain (2014)
- Germany (2019)
- Czech Republic (2022)
- Germany (2023)
- Metz (2024)
Season highlight!
The international tour remains the centrepiece of the programme. Next years destination has not yet been chosen but it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Suffolk Young Strings
We are a string orchestra of around 30 players aged 16 and under. We enjoy playing an exciting variety of repertoire and have fun learning new skills on our instruments. Throughout the year, we often get the opportunity to work with musicians from professional orchestras.
Each season we play great music, from baroque to contemporary classics to pop and we always get to influence the repertoire choices!
Our ensemble works to a high-performance standard and is an excellent opportunity to hone our skills in preparation for Suffolk Youth Orchestra.
Season Highlight
Last year we got to work with professional musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
In September all the groups perform together for a rousing end of season Gala concert at Snape Maltings Concert Hall. We get a taste of what it’s like to be professional musicians, with our own dressing rooms, stage crew and sound checks!
Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra
Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra has recently launched and is for trumpet players, trombonists, saxophonists, drummers & percussionists, guitarists, vocalists, a keyboard/piano player and a bassist (electric or acoustic). Grade 5+ standard.
Highlight!
There will be a chance to work with some professional guest jazz musicians over the year as well as a recording/performance opportunity at the end of the season.
