Ensembles at MMF

Nurturing your child’s singing or instrumental talents by encouraging them to join a choir, band or ensemble at our South Wimbledon Music Centre can open up a whole new world of opportunities and experiences for them…

It’s fun and rewarding to play music with others to bring a piece of music to life
They’ll develop their skills and learn new techniques
It can help motivate them to practise more
They’ll make new friends and build their confidence
They’ll get exciting performance opportunities (including the Royal Albert Hall)

If your child is new to our ensembles, scroll down to find the range of opportunities based on their instrument and ability. If they already play in our ensembles, click here to go to our Ensemble Members’ Area.

Ensemble Rehearsal Timetable

BRASS

CORNET / TRUMPET / FRENCH HORN / TROMBONE / TUBA / EUPHONIUM

Beginner

Junior Concert Band (pre-Grade 1-1/2)

Jazz Jumpers (Grade 1-3)

Junior Percussion Ensemble (Grade 1-3 in any instrument)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

Intermediate Concert Band (Grade 2-4)

JazzWorks (Grade 4+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

Merton Youth Concert Band (Grade 5+)

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (grade 7+)

Merton Messengers (Grade 8+, by invitation only)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

GUITARS

CLASSICAL / ELECTRIC / BASS

Beginner

Junior Guitar Ensemble (classical, beginner – Grade 1)

Jazz Jumpers (electric/bass, Grade 1-3))

Junior Percussion Ensemble (Grade 1-3 in any instrument)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

Intermediate Guitar Ensemble (classical, Grade 1-3)

JazzWorks (electric/bass, Grade 4+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

Senior Guitar Ensemble (classical)

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (electric/bass, Grade 7+)

Merton Messengers (electric/bass, Grade 8+ – by invitation only)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

PERCUSSION

DRUM KIT / CLASSICAL PERCUSSION

Beginner

Junior Concert Band (pre-Grade 1-1/2)

Jazz Jumpers (Grade 1-3)

Junior Percussion Ensemble (>1 term of lessons)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

Intermediate Concert Band (Grade 2-4)

JazzWorks (Grade 4+)

Merton Mallets (Grade 2+)

Drum Line (Grade 4+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

Merton Youth Concert Band (Grade 5+)

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (Grade 7+)

Merton Messengers (Grade 8+, by invitation only)

Drum Line (Grade 4+)

Merton Mallets (Grade 2+)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

PIANO / KEYBOARD

Beginner

Jazz Jumpers (Grade 1-3)

Junior Percussion Ensemble (Grade 1-3 in any instrument)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

JazzWorks (Grade 4+)

Merton Mallets (Grade 2+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (Grade 7+)

Merton Messengers (Grade 8+, by invitation only)

Merton Mallets (Grade 2+)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

SINGERS

Ages 7-12

Young Voices Junior Choir

Ages 11-18

VoiceBox Senior Choir

STRINGS

VIOLIN / VIOLA / CELLO / DOUBLE BASS

Beginner

String Busters (beginner – Grade 2)

Jazz Jumpers (Grade 1-3)

Junior Percussion Ensemble (Grade 1-3 in any instrument)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

Intermediate Strings (Grade 2+)

JazzWorks (Grade 4+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

String Sinfonia (Grade 5+ and Year 7+)

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (double bass, Grade 7+)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

WOODWIND

FLUTE / OBOE / CLARINET / SAXOPHONE / BASSOON

Beginner

Junior Concert Band (pre-Grade 1-1/2)

Jazz Jumpers (Grade 1-3)

Junior Percussion Ensemble (Grade 1-3 in any instrument)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Intermediate

Intermediate Concert Band (Grade 2-4)

JazzWorks (Grade 4+)

Young Voices Junior Choir (ages 7-12)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Advanced

Merton Youth Concert Band (Grade 5+)

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra (Grade 7+)

Merton Messengers (Grade 8+, by invitation only)

Voice Box Senior Choir (ages 11-18)

Sheet Music Downloads

Free Trial Rehearals

Keep an eye out for our free Come & Play taster sessions, typically scheduled at the start of each term. During these sessions, your child will have the opportunity to join a choir, band, or ensemble rehearsal to see what it’s like. Which group(s) they get to try will depend on their instrument, age and ability.

See when our next Come & Play sessions will take place

FAQs

Who can join MMF ensembles?

Our ensembles are open to 7-19 year olds from Merton (and the surrounding areas) who sing or play an instrument.

With the exception of our choirs (which don’t require any prior experience to join), your child’s instrument, age and ability will help determine which ensembles they can play with. Even if your child has only been having instrumental lessons for a term, it’s likely that there are groups they could join; and they don’t even need to be taught by an MMF tutor to get involved.

Our termly Music Centre membership fee covers multiple ensembles; for example a beginner trumpet player could join Young Voices Choir, Junior Concert Band and Jazz Jumpers giving them maximum musical fun.

If your child doesn’t play an instrument yet, we’ve got that covered too. We offer instrumental lessons in many of Merton’s schools and at our four Music Centres across the borough. Click here for information about lessons.

What progression is there in MMF ensembles?

Progression has been the cornerstone of our approach to music education for over 30 years. While some of our groups are mixed ability, we have beginner, intermediate and advanced ensembles for Guitars and Strings as well as our Concert and Jazz bands. Students who start their musical journey in our beginner ensembles steadily work their way up through the ranks, progressing to our advanced ones.

We firmly believe that Music is for life and for many of our alumni, music will continue to be a meaningful part of their lives beyond MMF; whether they pursue music studies at university, create a band with their friends, join community orchestras, pursue a career as a professional musician or simply play for their own enjoyment.

Rehearsal etiquette

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your rehearsal is about to start.

At the end, you may be expected to help pack away instruments, music stands and chairs.

Those who use sheet music should always bring a pencil to rehearsals.

If your child can't make a rehearsal please contact the office to let them know.

Concert dress

Black trousers/skirt, black shoes.

Junior and Intermediate ensembles wear blue MMF polo shirts. Senior ensembles wear black MMF polo shirts except Senior Guitar Ensemble who wear their own plain, long sleeved black shirts.

Polo shirts are available from the MMF office.

Ensemble Members’ Area

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