Groups Next Year

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!

🎛️ 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
• 🎸 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, intermediate and above, 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 (plus keen younger singers alongside a parent), all levels welcome

🚀 Creative Groups

No grades required — any instrument, any level!

• 🎶 Beginnovate — ages 6–7 (Year 2), inclusive, bring any instrument or use percussion/ukulele provided
• 🌈 Innovate 1 — ages 7–9 (Years 3–4), any instrument, any level
• ⚡ Innovate 2 — ages 9–12 (Years 5–7), 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+, drummers or other players with ensemble experience
• 💃 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