Important info on groups for the new year: Music Box 2 students moving up to Beginnovate and Choir 1, the Creative Groups renumbering (with Joel Knee joining as Innovate 2 leader), spaces in Jazz 2, and a full genre-sorted group joining criteria list.
I hope you're having a wonderful summer! Here's some important info on groups for the new year. 👇
✨ A quick reminder: all group membership is on a rolling basis — no need to rebook unless you're joining a new group or moving up.
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1️⃣ Music Box 2 Students ➡️🎵
Congratulations — last year's Music Box 2 musicians are ready to take the next step! All Music Box 2 students are at the right age to progress to Beginnovate and Choir 1 (Year 2).
Beginnovate starts developing the skill of playing music together in a fully inclusive setting — bring an instrument you're learning, or use one of our classroom instruments (djembes, xylophones, ukuleles!).
🎤 Choir 1 runs 10–10:45am, and the new Beginnovate time is 11–11:30am. Both groups are discounted from the normal 30-minute group rate. 💰
📧 Please email us to confirm your places!
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2️⃣ Creative Group Changes 🚀
As mentioned last term:
- Last year's Beginnovate becomes Innovate 1, staying at the same time (9am)
- Innovate 1 becomes Innovate 2
- Innovate 2 becomes Innovate 3
All at the same times as last term — no need to rebook! ✅
🌟 Big news: Innovate 2 will now be led by Joel Knee, an expert ensemble leader who also runs our Salsa Group.
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3️⃣ Joining New Groups & 'Moving Up' 📈
Take a look at the criteria list below to see if it's time to join a new group or move up a level!
🎷 Spotlight: There are now lots of spaces in Jazz 2 since our older students have moved on — definitely worth a look if your child is ready!
🎻 Spotlight: There is a NEW beginner Strings group for ALL string players who have been playing for a minimum of one term. Led by Rocket Brooks, this will be a fantastic way to begin playing together for all starter string players.
🎛️ Groove Orchestra welcomes all YMM musicians Grade 2–8 (or equivalent experience) — bespoke parts are written for every player.
🌍 Many of our groups are fully inclusive! Samba and Salsa, for example, welcome all students (regardless of instrument) with a solid fundamental musical grounding.
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🎶 Young Music Makers — Group Joining Criteria
A quick-glance guide to who can join each group, sorted by genre.
🎻 Classical
- 🌱 Junior Strings — Grades 1–2, or first-position playing
- 🎼 Junior Flutes — Grades 1+, wide range of grades welcome
- 🪕 Beginner Strings — completed one term of lessons with a teacher
- 🎸 Advanced Classical Guitars — Grade 5+
- 🎻 Chamber Group — Grade 3+ (more advanced repertoire from Grade 6+)
- 🌟 Adult Instrumental Group — adults, mixed ages and levels
- 🪈 Adult Flute Ensemble — adults, intermediate–advanced
- 🎶 Adult Recorders — adults, all levels, including returning players
🎷 Jazz
- 🎺 Jazz 1 — Grades 1–3 (from 5 notes up to Grade 3), wind/brass/rhythm
- 🥁 Jazz 2 (Big Band) — Grade 4+, spaces available now!
- 🎹 Adult Jazz Ensemble — adults 18+, Grades 4–8
🎤 Choirs
- 🎼 Choir 1 — ages 6–8, no experience needed
- 🌟 Choir 2 — ages 9–12
- 💚 Community Choir — teens & adults, all levels, everyone welcome
🚀 Creative Groups
No grades required — any instrument, any level!
- 🎶 Beginnovate — ages 6–8 (Years 2–3), inclusive, bring any instrument or use percussion/ukulele provided
- 🌈 Innovate 1 — ages 8–10 (Years 4–5), any instrument, any level
- ⚡ Innovate 2 — ages 10–12 (Years 6–7), any instrument, any level
- 🔥 Innovate 3 — ages 13+ (Years 8/9+), any instrument, any level
- 🎛️ Groove Orchestra — mixed ages 8–Adult, Grade 2–8 or equivalent experience
- 📘 Theory Support — all learners, drop-in notation, harmony & exam prep
🎸 Rock & Pop
- 🎸 Rock & Pop 1 — young musicians, basic chord knowledge (guitar/bass/drums)
- 🎤 Rock & Pop 2 — intermediate guitar/bass; singers & drummers by invitation only
🌍 World Music
- 🥁 Samba Drumming — ages 10+, ensemble experience helpful
- 💃 Salsa Group — ages 11+, ensemble experience helpful
🌟 Early Years
- 🎨 Music Box 1 — ages 4–5 (Reception)
- 🎪 Music Box 2 — ages 5–6 (Year 1)
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Not sure where to start, or want to move up a group? Just get in touch and we'll help find the right fit!
Best wishes,
John
John K Miles MMus
https://www.johnkmiles.co.uk
Musical Director, YMM