Cornwall Music Education Hub Ensembles
The Cornwall Music Education Hub recognises how valuable ensemble experience can be in the development of musical skills and supports a network of ensembles and choirs across the county to provide a rich and varied menu of musical opportunities for young people.
Hub Managed County Ensembles
Joining our orchestras
Membership of the county ensembles is through an audition process which takes place each Autumn.
Interested in joining our orchestras?
To submit an application, please complete our online audition form.
Membership
CYO or CYWO Membership Form for Academic Year 2020-21
All members, both current and new, should complete and submit an online membership form so that we can ensure that we have up to date details and consent for everyone.
The Hub offers a 50% subsidy on the annual membership fee for students who meet one of the following criteria:
- Children in receipt of Free School Meals*
- Child of currently serving personnel of British Armed Forces (Please provide proof with your completed membership form)
- Child in Care*
*Eligibility will be checked against the Council's Central System.
CMEH Ensemble rehearsals during COVID-19 pandemic
In order to keep all players and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have reviewed our processes and procedures in line with guidance from the Department for Education in order to mitigate risks. If it is felt that it is not safe for ensembles to meet for 'live' rehearsals, we will hold rehearsals online.
COVID-19 Risk Assessment for Ensembles
COVID-19 Rehearsal information for parents
Cancellation of CMEH Ensemble Rehearsals
Occasionally it may be necessary to cancel a rehearsal of one of our ensembles. Please see the policy below regarding the procedure for this:
CMEH County Ensemble Rehearsal Cancellation Policy
Other CMEH Supported Ensembles
In addition to its county level ensembles, the CMEH financially supports a network of other ensembles across the county through its annual Hub Ensemble grant programme. These ensembles are managed, administered and delivered by other organisations or individuals and receive a grant from the CMEH to support them.
All Hub funded/supported ensembles are invited to attend termly Ensemble network meetings which have been set up to encourage communication and sharing between ensembles.
The ensembles currently in receipt of a CMEH Ensemble grant are:
Folk
East Cornwall Folk Ensemble
Guitar
Percussion
Strings Ensembles
East Cornwall Youth String Orchestra (new ensemble)
Penzance Junior String Orchestra
Penzance Youth String Orchestra
Winds
Falmouth Junior Wind
Helston Junior Wind
Progression & Ensembles Leads
The Hub is able to provide support to youth and school ensembles in the form of advice and support from our Progression and Ensemble Leads:
Janet Elston - County Ensembles & North Cornwall
Janet is employed by the Cornwall Music Service Trust but commissioned by the Hub as the Progression and Ensemble lead for North Cornwall . Janet is able to visit schools to support them in setting up their own ensemble opportunities or to discuss musical progression in their schools.
Janet Elston - jelston@cornwallmusicservicetrust.org
Patrick Bailey - County Ensembles and choirs & Central/West Cornwall
Patrick is an experienced conductor, multi-instrumentalist and composer who has been commissioned by the Hub to provide support school and regional ensembles.
Patrick Bailey - pbaileynew@gmail.com
