Haringey Young Musicians (HYM) after school ensembles
If your child is interested in attending an ensemble, please complete this form:
Book a HYM group for your event
Alternatively, email us at hms@haringey.gov.uk
Haringey Young Musicians (HYM) ensembles are open to anyone of school age living or attending school in Haringey. Each group meets weekly for ten sessions per term, culminating in a performance opportunity with other ensembles. As well as high profile engagements around the country and successful participation in national competitions, many of the groups have toured abroad to countries including Barbados, Peru, Finland, China, Sweden and Argentina.
In 2019, 54 members of our Stage Band, Haringey Vox and 8 dancers from Park View School travelled to Durban, South Africa, for ten days. We had an amazing time playing concerts, making new friends, and even managed to fit in a safari. We were kindly hosted by students from Hillcrest High School. While we were there we visited two schools in townships: Steven Davison Primary School and Kwamanzini Primary School. Our students had a very eye opening time taking part in workshops with their students. In 2019 the HYM Big Band and Orchestral Percussion Group have also visited Sweden, working with young musicians in both Gothenburg and Kristinehamn.
Most recently, we have hosted a visiting group of guitarists, musicians and dancers from Sassari, Sardinia.
Becoming a member of a HYM ensemble gives pupils an excellent opportunity to play with other young musicians and learn new skills. Playing in an ensemble has numerous musical and social benefits, and is a great way of putting skills learnt in lessons into practice.
- Wind Bands - training
- Wind Band - intermediate
- Strings - training
- Strings - intermediate
- Strings - rising
- Training Percussion
- Percussion Circle
- Orchestral Percussion
- Concert String Orchestra
- HYM Symphony Orchestra
- Big Band
- Stage Band
- Guitar Group - training
- Guitar Group - intermediate
- HYM Guitar Orchestra
- Haringey Vox
- Junior Vox
- Training Steel Band
- Intermediate Steel Band
- Westside Steel Band
- Westside Steel Band - Training Band
- Steel Orchestra
- Creative Composition Ensemble
- Theory Club
- Grade 5 Theory Clinic
Fun repertoire for players of all woodwind and brass instruments. Players are usually ready for the training band when they can read music and play some simple tunes. Ideally they will have attended a Wind and Brass Fun Day.
Training Wind Band - Hornsey
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Training Wind Band - Tottenham
- When: Thursdays, 4-5.15pm
- Where: Duke's Aldridge Academy, Trulock Road, N17 0PG
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Fun repertoire for players of all woodwind and brass instruments, providing a grounding from which to move on to the more advanced groups. Players should have reached approximately Grade 2 standard before joining the Intermediate Wind Band.
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Fun repertoire for players of all string instruments, providing a grounding in ensemble skills. Players are usually ready for Training Strings when they can read music confidently and play some simple tunes. Ideally they will have attended a Strings Fun Day.
Training Strings - Hornsey
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Training Strings - Tottenham
- When: Thursdays, 4-5.15pm
- Where: Duke's Aldridge Academy, Trulock Road, N17 0PG
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Varied repertoire for players of violin, viola, cello or double bass. Players can join the intermediate group when they can read fluently and are at least Grade 2 standard. They will preferably have experience of playing in an ensemble.
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Varied repertoire for players of violin, viola, cello or double bass. Players can join the intermediate group when they can read fluently and are at least Grade 3 standard. They will preferably have experience of playing in an ensemble.
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
For any primary school pianists or drummers looking to learn more about tuned and orchestral percussion
- When: Tuesdays, 4.15-5pm
- Where: Transmitter Hall, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
- Cost: £21.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Percussion Circle explores beats, rhythms and cultures from all over the world combining opportunities to develop arranging sounds, building solos and working as a team. The power of this group is staggering and a must for all drummers, percussionists or those who want to explore rhythm.
- When: Thursdays, 4-5.15pm
- Where: Duke's Aldridge Academy, Trulock Road, London, N17 0PG
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A group for more experienced percussion players, interested in expanding their knowledge and expertise, using both tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments
- When: Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm
- Where: Transmitter Hall, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A full orchestra for players of all string instruments of Grade 4 standard and above
- When: Tuesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A full-sized symphony orchestra playing exciting classical repertoire with instrumental coaches supporting each section. Recent repertoire includes Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony, Strauss' Frühlingsstimmen, Gershwin's Piano Concerto and music from the film How to Train Your Dragon. Players should have reached Grade 6 standard to join the orchestra, and will normally be asked to audition after their first or second rehearsal.
- When: Wednesdays, 6.45-8.45pm
- Where: Transmitter Hall, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
- Cost: £64.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Based on a conventional big band line-up, but expanded to include most woodwind and brass instruments as well as a rhythm section including piano, guitar, bass and drum kit. Improvised solos are encouraged from every band member after skilful coaching and encouragement. The band plays many specially composed pieces and arrangements. Players should have reached Grade 5 standard to join.
- When: Wednesdays, 4.30-6.15pm
- Where: Transmitter Hall, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A 17 piece Jazz Big Band designed to push the more advanced students from the Big Band. A large proportion of the music is drawn from transcriptions used for classic jazz bands from Count Basie through to Pat Metheny and Kenny Wheeler.
- When: Wednesdays, 4.30-6.15pm
- Where: Creativity Pavilion, East Court, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
An introduction to playing fun and exciting music in a group setting. Players are usually ready for Training Guitars when they can read music and play some simple tunes. Ideally they will have attended a Guitar Fun Day. This group would be ideal for Year 5 WCIT continuers.
Training Guitars - Hornsey
- When: Wednesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Training Guitars - Tottenham
- When: Thursdays, 4-5.15pm
- Where: Duke's Aldridge Academy, Trulock Road, N17 0PG
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A step up from the training group: players should have reached classical guitar grades 1 to 2 or equivalent.
- When: Wednesdays, 4.40-6.10pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A classical guitar group for older and more advanced players. Repertoire is aimed at guitarists of Grade 3 to 8 standard, or equivalent.
- When: Wednesdays, 6.20-8.20pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £38.75 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
This group is for singers at secondary school and above, who are looking to explore vocal harmony and their voices in a variety of contexts. Song selections range from current pop song, to jazz and soul standards, choral and world music. Some songs will be from scores while others will be learnt by ear. Haringey Vox successfully toured Barbados with the Steel Orchestra.
- When: Tuesdays, 5-6.30pm
- Where: Chestnuts Community Centre, 280 St Ann's Road, N15 5BN
- Cost: No charge
A fun choir for any primary pupils in Years 5 and 6 with a passion for singing.
- When: Tuesdays, 4-4.45pm
- Where: Chestnuts Community Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, N15 5BN
- Cost: No charge
An opportunity for beginners to learn the fundamentals of steel pan playing, giving experience and preparing students to join the higher groups. Young musicians wishing to play steel pans should attend this group until the tutors judge that they are ready to join the Intermediate group.
- When: Mondays, 4.30-5.30pm
- Where: Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Somerset Road, London, N17 9EJ
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
A step up from the training steel pans group, for slightly more experienced players. Young musicians should attend this group until the tutors judge that they are ready to join the Steel Orchestra.
- When: Mondays, 5.30-7pm
- Where: Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Somerset Road, London, N17 9EJ
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Our training steel pans group in the west side of the borough, giving experience and preparing students for transfer to the Steel Orchestra. Young musicians wishing to play steel pans should attend this group until the tutors judge that they are ready to join the Steel Orchestra.
- When: Wednesdays, 5-6.30pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
An opportunity for beginners to learn the fundamentals of steel pan playing, giving experience and preparing students to join the higher groups. Young musicians wishing to play steel pans should attend this group until the tutors judge that they are ready to join the Westside Steel Band.
- When: Wednesdays, 4-5pm
- Where: Hornsey School for Girls, Inderwick Road, London, N8 9JF
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Advanced playing for experienced steel pan players. This group is highly acclaimed having performed in the schools proms and Notting Hill carnival in its busy schedule. The Steel Orchestra has recently returned from a successful trip to Barbados with Haringey Vox.
- When: Tuesdays, 4.30-6.30pm
- Where: Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Somerset Road, London, N17 9EJ
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
Open to anyone in school years 7-13, the Creative Composition Ensemble performs original music, written entirely by members of the ensemble. Available to players of any instrument, style, and ability, all you need to take part is an open mind and the desire to be creative with sound. You don’t even have to be able to read music.
- When: Thursdays, 4-5.15pm
- Where: Duke's Aldridge Academy, Trulock Road, London, N17 0PG
- Cost: £25.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
This theory course is designed to help young musicians gain confidence with music theory as they begin to progress. Through a combination of both individual exercises and worksheets, group exercises, traditional teaching, and even playing, we will explore key concepts vital to a well-rounded understanding of music theory, covering topics such as notation, rhythm, transposition, intervals, and keys. This 40-minute per week course is suitable for anyone Grades 2-4, and will adapt according to the needs of the specific students there.
- When: Thursdays, 4-4.40pm
- Where: Hornsey Library, Haringey Park, London, N8 9JA
- Cost: £49.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
The theory clinic is a chance for students preparing for their Grade 5 theory exams to ask questions, develop their understanding, and improve aspects of the exam that need work. These 40-minute weekly sessions will provide a space for students to work through problems both individually and together, and as a group we will put some of these topics into meaningful musical context. This is a perfect chance for students to prepare for an upcoming theory exam in a kind and supportive atmosphere.
- When: Thursdays, 4.40-5.20pm
- Where: Hornsey Library, Haringey Park, London, N8 9JA
- Cost: £49.25 per term (no charge for pupils receiving free school meals)
For more information about our ensembles and how to apply, please email hms@haringey.gov.uk or call 020 8489 8967.