Music Service

The council's Music Service provides Herefordshire's children and young people with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and take part in bands and orchestral activities. It also provides classroom music lessons, music therapy and other musical opportunities for the county's young people. We currently have several pilot projects in schools giving pupils in years 3 to 6 whole class instrumental lessons.

Your child's school will be able to advise you regarding tuition, fees and availability.

Herefordshire Youth Music (HYM) Ensembles

The following ensembles rehearse on Saturday mornings at Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, Hereford:

• Preliminary Strings
• Training Orchestra
• Intermediate Orchestra
• Saturday Players
• Percussion Ensemble
• Young Musicians' Woodwind Ensemble
• Concert Band
• Theory Class

Youth Orchestra rehearses on Tuesday evenings at The Shirehall, Hereford.

Training Brass Band and Youth Brass Band rehearse on Wednesday evenings at The Shirehall, Hereford.

Youth Big Band rehearses on Thursday evenings at The Shirehall, Hereford.

The HYM handbook, giving full details of the academic year's rehearsals and concerts is available for you to download. Please get in touch with the office if you would like a hard copy. 

If you are interested in joining one of our ensembles, you may come along to a rehearsal without making any prior arrangement. You will need to complete a registration form on arrival; the registration form is attached for you to download and complete in advance if you wish. Please contact Eva Prestage at the Music Service office should you require further information.

There is a charge of £40 a year for membership of HYM. If more than one child is a member, there is a family rate charge of £60. Pupils can be a member of as many ensembles as they wish for this fee. For pupils starting in January, the membership fee is half the annual fee.