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Music Groups/Ensembles & Workshops

Music Groups/Ensembles & Workshops

Memberships to our youth ensembles is free of charge for all pupils living in Northumberland!

Music Groups, Ensembles, Orchestras & Workshops

We are delighted to inform you that membership to our County Ensembles & Choir will be free of charge this academic year for all pupils living in Northumberland.

What is an ensemble?

The word 'ensemble' is the French word meaning 'together'. Our ensembles are where our pupils from all over the County come together to play & sing wonderful music with their peers in one of our fantastic groups detailed below.

  • Click on the drop down boxes below - to find more details about each of the music groups, including their rehearsal dates and venues
  • Then scroll further down the page to see how to join

All of our ensembles rehearse 8 times per academic year, as well as various performance opportunities and concerts too

The Northumbrian Ranters

Traditional Music Ensemble - Do you play fiddle, flute, Northumbrian pipes, cello, harp, accordion, percussion, concertina, guitar, or keyboard?

The Northumbrian Ranters are made up of talented young musicians from Northumberland and Newcastle. Their aim is to promote and raise the profile of traditional music both in the county and further afield. This ensemble requires a level of commitment and dedication, as the group are involved in high profile performances throughout the year. Students are required to sing together, and will also have the opportunity to participate in traditional experiences such as clog dancing.

They meet for eight evening rehearsals throughout the year. There will also be two whole day weekend rehearsals. New members may be asked to come for a short informal audition.

  • Entry: Fiddle - grade 3 or equivalent. Flute - grade 5 or equivalent. (for all other instruments please email contact below)
  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth First School, 6.15 - 8.15pm, plus 2 whole day weekend rehearsals. There will also be several performances/concerts!
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk
  • Click here to apply - Ranters Membership Form

Ranters-Flyer

Click here to watch The Northumbrian Ranters and Alistair Anderson performing in Berwick Upon Tweed.

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Ranters performance tonight...I am blown away by the talent of these youngsters. What really struck me is how much they appeared to be enjoying the performance which was evident from their smiles and energy..."

"My daughter has had lots of fun making new friends. The experience has been very important to her musical development. Lots of opportunities -concerts, residential weekends and tours to Scotland - amazing!"

"As a parent, so many opportunities to watch and feel so very proud! Thanks to all the staff - it would not have been possible without you!"

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Ranters performance tonight... . I am blown away by the talent of these youngsters. What really struck me is how much they appeared to be enjoying the performance which was evident from their smiles and energy"

Northumbrian Ranters Photos

The Northumbrian Ranters made up of talented young musicians from Northumberland and Newcastle met up and performed at the stunning location of Chillingham Castle on Saturday 24 June 2023.

Nye (Northumberland Youth Ensemble)

Do you play strings, brass, woodwind, drums or percussion? Would you like to: Meet other young musicians and learn to play new and exciting music? Improve your ensemble playing in a fun and friendly environment and perform in concerts? If so this ensemble is for you.

This group provides the opportunity for students to come together to develop ensemble skills with young musicians from across Northumberland.

(If you are interested but not sure of your child's standard please contact us, requirements are more around experience than grade.)

Please follow this link to register your child

Open to any instrument.

New members are invited to come and meet the ensemble staff prior to the first rehearsal.

  • Entry: Grade 3 or equivalent (We do not like to turn anyone away so please contact us, requirements are more around experience than grade!)
  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth First School, 6.15 - 8.15pm. Plus 2 whole day weekend rehearsals.
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk

NYE-flyer

Students are accepted into this ensemble at any point throughout the academic year. "Just wanted to say thank you to the team for all the work you do with NYE. It was a pleasure to see so many new faces last night and a wider range of instruments. It is giving the ensemble a much richer sound."

Stepping Stones

Open to all instruments.

This well established and very popular ensemble provides students with the experience and support while they take the first steps into ensemble playing. Stepping Stones is open to any instrument, all we ask is that students:

  • have been playing for a minimum of one year
  • ​are enthusiastic about meeting other like minded musicians
  • are eager to learn new tunes and improve their playing
  • Please note: good note reading skills are not essential

Stepping Stones does exactly what is says - it provides the knowledge and experience to bridge the gap between school-based tuition and Northumberland Youth Ensemble, Northumbrian Ranters or Bedlington Brass Band.

  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth 1st school. 6.15pm - 7.45pm
  • Entry Requirements: Students should have had tuition for 1 school year.
  • Cost: FREE
  • We do not like to turn anyone away, so please contact us if you are not sure at ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk

Click here to sign up - Stepping Stones Membership Application

Stepping-Stones-Flyer

The Hoolies Youth Choir

Hoolies is the dynamic MPN youth choir and our aim is to build on the positive work done by school choirs and vocal projects.

This ensemble brings together vocalists of all abilities from across the county to sing a wide variety of music from all over the world. Over time, this will also give more advanced/experienced singers the opportunity to develop their own vocal leadership skills and play a part in shaping the direction of this project.

  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth First School, 6:15-7:45pm.
  • Entry Requirements: Students of all abilities between the age of 7-18 years
  • ​Cost: FREE
  • Contact: ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk

Click here to sign up - Hoolies Application Form

"It really helped my daughter feel less isolated. Music is her only extra curricular activity and these groups were wonderful for her mentally!"

"Music makes me feel calm"

YPG (Young Pipers Group)

Northumbrian Small Pipes Performance Group

The aim of this group is to encourage players, no matter what level of ability, to share enthusiasm and skills with other young pipers. This ensemble is only possible by the kind support and sponsorship of the Northumbrian Pipers Society and Mindrum Estates. Working together we continue to encourage students to learn this traditional instrument.

Playing the Northumbrian pipes is not just technique, it encompases the rich heritage of our county and the strong traditions of our music and instruments.

Northumbrian Pipes can be hired from both Music Partnership North and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society. Peer to peer support is a key focus of the sessions.

  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth First School, 6:15-7:45pm
  • Entry Requirements: An interest to learn through to open standard. All are welcome!
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk

Click here to sign up - YPG Application Form

Please note: This group is sponsored by the Northumbrian Pipers Society and so is completely Free.

"Thank you so much for your magnificent contribution to the Open Weekend. Your pipers were really wonderful, and gave a great deal of pleasure to our visitors. You were all so beautifully turned out, and a great credit." Joanna Riddell, High Sheriff of Northumberland

Bedlington Community & Youth Brass Band - Tuesday evenings, term time in Bedlington

Brass banding for all ages and abilities

Do you play the cornet, flugelhorn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium, trombone, or tuba?

This ensemble is a community based band, delivered in partnership with MPN and Bedlington Community Trust Brass Band. They actively recruit both children and adults to come together to rehearse and perform. All are welcome regardless of ability. Bedlington Community & Youth Brass Band is both a trainer and performance band rolled into one. Supportive learning through peer to peer support takes place in a fun interactive environment. This band is perfect for adults wanting to get back into banding without the pressure of competitions and for students wanting to learn alongside adults. They regularly perform at local events in North East Northumberland.

  • Rehearsal Schedule: Usually every Tuesday in term time at Bedlington Community Centre, 7pm - 8.30pm - please contact Bedlington Brass Band directly for confirmation.
  • Entry Requirements: All are welcome regardless of ability.
  • Cost: For more information on costs contact Bedlington Brass Band directly.
  • Contact: bedlingtonbrass@yahoo.co.uk or find them on Facebook @BedlingtonBrass

Instruments can be provided on a loan scheme for new members.

Click here to view the virtual Miners Picnic performance 2020

The Drum Circle - Percussion Ensemble

Introducing... DRUM CIRCLE

We're excited to launch Drum Circle, a brand-new, FREE drumming ensemble open to all children of any ability! Whether your child is brand new to drumming or already taking lessons, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore rhythm, pulse, and teamwork in a fun and supportive environment.

Sign up here - Drum Circle Application Form

Drum-circle-flyer

The Frets Guitar Group

New-Frets-FlyerHas your child been learning how to play the guitar for 1 year and would love the chance to perform together with other amazing guitarists from MPN? Now is the perfect opportunity to grow those skills and join our brand new guitar group - The Frets.

  • Entry: Learning the guitar for 1 year, open to all children.
  • Rehearsal Schedule: 8 rehearsals throughout the year at Morpeth First School, 6.15 - 7.45pm
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: ensembles@northumberland.gov.uk

Please follow this link to register your child

How to join

Once your combine application and parental consent form have been received, we will contact you with further information.

Ensemble Policies

Find us on social media at the following links:

Facebook: @MPN.Northumberland Instagram: @MPN.Northumberland Twitter: @MPN_Nland

The management of respiratory viruses continues to be managed at all rehearsals. Please do not let your child attend a rehearsal if they are clearly unwell or showing symptoms of a cough, cold, flu or covid. This is to help protect both staff and students who are at the rehearsal​.

Students may be photographed, recorded and shown on social media so please take this into account when making your decision to be involved in the ensembles. If you would like to discuss any of these policies in more detail, email melissa.james@northumberland.gov.uk

Last updated on 23/05/2025 09:39