We have a wide range of ensembles and groups, covering all genres, abilities, and capabilities. Below you will find brief details of each of our current ensembles and if you would like to experience any of them or if you are interested in joining, please get in touch and we will be delighted to provide more information.
EASY Band
The EASY Band is the senior Symphonic Wind Band at the Scarborough Area Music Centre, comprising of approx. 40 musicians who come from across the Scarborough, Whitby, and Ryedale areas.
The band’s repertoire is very diverse and includes popular classics, arrangements from films and musicals, jazz standards, and original compositions for Wind Band.
The band undertakes various engagements throughout the year both in Scarborough and the surrounding area. The band is always on the lookout for new members and welcomes woodwind, brass, and percussion players of grade 3 standard and above.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Clive Wass | Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm | Popular classics, arrangements from films and musicals, jazz standards, and original compositions |
Jazz Train
Jazz Train was formed in September 1999 and was created to provide younger musicians with the opportunity to experience Jazz music in a Big Band set up at a more elementary level.
The players are made up of Junior Concert Band and E.A.S.Y. Concert Band members, as well as players from outside Saturday Morning Music Centre. The chosen repertoire of music includes Swing, Rock, and Ballads, as well as current “Popular” music, and gives members the chance to experiment with improvised solos.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Ralph Alder | Tuesday 7pm - 8:30pm |
JCB (Junior Concert Band)
The Junior Concert Band provides students of wind, brass and percussion with their first steps on the Music Centre ladder.
Students come along to Junior Concert Band once they have acquired a basic technique on their instrument, probably after about six months from starting lessons. During their time in the Junior Concert Band students learn the disciplines involved in ensemble playing and receive valuable coaching on musical techniques through a variety of different styles of music.
The Junior Concert Band provides students of wind, brass and percussion with their first steps on the Music Centre ladder. Students come along to JCB once they have acquired a basic technique on their instrument, usually around Grade One standard.
The ensemble plays a variety of musical styles with pieces progressing in difficulty throughout the year.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Julie Alder | Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm |
BIG (Beginner Instrument Group)
Formed in 2010, this group as its title suggests is for young players with a little experience, perhaps the ability to play five or six notes. Membership is open to any instrument.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Bond | Saturday 11am - 12:30pm |
S.A.Y.St.O. (Scarborough Area Youth Strings Orchestra
Our senior string orchestra consists of upper and lower string players from grades 3, 4, and above.
They tackle a varied variety of string music from Baroque to modern in a chamber group setting.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Chatto | Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Junior String Orchestra
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Louise McKay | Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Viva Violins
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Bancroft | Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm |
Ebony
Ebony was originally formed to offer a different ensemble experience to young woodwind players and to encourage members to assist or join the larger ensembles which require a strong woodwind section. Since its inception, the young players in Ebony have explored a wide variety of music and learned a great deal about woodwind playing.
New players are most welcome and need to be approximately Grade Two playing standard or above.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Bond | Tuesday 7pm - 8:30pm |
Guitar Ensemble
As the guitar is rarely considered an orchestral instrument, the guitar ensemble provides a valuable opportunity for our young players to explore the possibilities of what a larger group can do.
They perform in concerts, typically at the end of each term, and tackle music from a wide range of styles and genres. There is also the opportunity for the more advanced players to get together and tackle some challenging material.
| Musical Director | Location | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Chatto | Tuesday 7pm - 8:30pm |