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What are Music for Life Ensembles?

Music for Life Ensembles provide high quality group music-making experiences for young people aged 7 to 18. There are various options designed to suit a full range of age and ability – we want to embrace all levels whilst providing an enjoyable challenge and an exciting experience for everyone. Multiple groups take place, so read on to find out which one (or more) is for you!

We meet once a month on a Saturday during term time, so the time commitment isn’t too great whilst enjoying regular rehearsals to achieve our goals and get ready to perform. We have some exceptional tutors ready to conduct and coach each group which makes a fun and vibrant learning musical environment.

You are invited to join us for as many of the activities as you wish – there’s something for everyone!

For more information on our jazz ensembles, please click here.

Orchestra & Choir

For all abilities, age 7-18
Monthly rehearsals on Saturdays @ Middlewich Primary School. CW10 9BS
Conducted by Eve Harrison, Jon Henderson and Rosie Douglas
09:30 – 11:00 Choir
10:30 – 12:30 Orchestra

We aim to provide ensemble experiences that are not already available. Therefore, we accept members playing the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, horn, trombone, bassoon, oboe, percussion (drummers who would like to try other instruments too) and voice.

Why should I join a Music for Life Ensemble?

The aim of the Music for Life Ensembles is to support the work done in instrumental lessons and they are designed to engage young people and motivate them in their music making, with a group for everyone aged 7 to 18 who plays an instrument or sings.

Repertoire will be selected and arranged to ensure every young person’s experience is engaging, accessible, challenging and fun! Our Musical Directors, Jo McCallum and Eve Harrison, will write or arrange pieces specifically for the players in the group and you will even get a chance to create your own music and improvise too. Here are some more benefits of joining Music for Life’s exciting ensemble opportunities:

Social opportunity where you will make lasting friendships
Introduced to new styles of music
Expert tuition by fantastic Music for Life tutors and guest artists
Making music as part of an ensemble has proven mental health benefits
Performance opportunities throughout the year
Progression routes to other Music for Life ensembles
Most of all, it’s fun to play together!

What is the cost of membership?

Music for Life Ensembles are offered completely free to Music for Life students. As an introductory offer we are really pleased to offer non-Music for Life students free membership to our new orchestra and choir.

How do we join?

Click the link here and fill out the form. We will get in touch to confirm your place as soon as possible.

Alternatively, please email eve@musicforlife@org.uk or call us on 01244 728 922. You can also fill out the box below to register your interest or discuss further.

Interested in joining?

We’d love to have you join us. Just complete the simple form here and we will get back to you.

Group Registration Form

Praise for Music for Life

Mr and Mrs Hughes, Macclesfield

We have been extremely pleased with the service you have provided over the past 9 years. Your admin has been excellent and you have always been helpful and polite. Aidan started at All Hallows with Rosie and Linda in 2010. Rosie has been a fantastic teacher for all 3 of our children, enabling them each to develop their piano playing in the different directions they have chosen: jazz/improvisation, ARSM Diploma, and a non-exam route playing for enjoyment whilst still improving technical ability. They have thoroughly enjoyed their lessons, practised hard and made amazing progress. Credit is due to Rosie for treating them each as individuals and being flexible and creative enough to develop their own interests and coach them through the dreaded aural tests!

Linda was also fantastic teaching Aidan clarinet and enabled him to achieve the ARSM Diploma. With her encouragement Aidan now also regularly plays saxophone and is heavily in music at University: chamber, jazz and musicals. Our children also really enjoyed the jazz workshops you ran at All Hallows on a couple of occasions.

Many thanks to you all, and we hope you are able to continue to provide your excellent service to many more youngsters.

Dr Sims, Upton, Wirral

In 2 short years, my daughter has progressed to now starting work on grade 4 flute. We are absolutely delighted with this and so very grateful to Mrs Oade who has inspired and encouraged Rebekah so much. The standard of her teaching has been second to none and Rebekah has consistently undertaken her practice with no prompting. We are now re-locating and can only hope that Rebekah’s new teacher is anywhere near as excellent as Mrs Oade.

Thank you to ‘Music for Life’. Rebekah was schooled in the private sector for prep and had music lessons arranged with individual instrument teachers. The system was nowhere near as efficient and required significantly more monitoring and intervention on my part. Please do keep doing what you’re doing, I’m sure it is changing so many young persons lives for the better!

Mrs Batchelor, Chester

I just wanted to say thank you to his tutors and MfL for inspiring my son and being brilliant, encouraging teachers. It has been a great experience for him. He is autistic and we have been amazed how he has progressed. It has given him confidence and been a calming influence for him.

Mrs Lavelle, Altrincham

Your emphasis on inclusion and excellence in seemingly equal measure is really remarkable. The performances were much more joyful and committed than anything we have seen before from people of that age and experience. Your choice of music, the type of arranging and the personalities of the people you employ clearly works very well and is something of a special formula.

Mrs Sadler, Crewe

As someone who has always taken a sympathetic and supportive interest in our daughter (whom you know to be severely /profoundly deaf ) we thought you would want to know that she has won a National competition for deaf musicians! Her prize includes a 2 day Masterclass, taught by specialists of national repute and then she is playing at the Birmingham Rep Theatre. Well done Mrs Turner and Music For Life!