OUR
ENSEMBLES
We provide music-making opportunities to young musicians of beginner to experienced abilities across the Peak District – from Buxton, Bakewell to Hope Valley and the surrounding area.
We rehearse weekly during term times and perform regularly, from informal concerts to events in prestigious venues such as Buxton Opera House, as well as nationally through competitions and internationally through tours.
Our two progression routes – one for string players and one for woodwind, brass and percussion – that both cater and develop players of all ages and abilities.
Joining us
Many of our young musicians join us at the beginner level, at the very start of their musical learning and progress through our ensembles as their abilities mature
If you already have experience, we can place you in the ensemble that best fits your ability.
GET IN TOUCH
If you want to try out one of our groups you only have to let us know. We can arrange a date for you to come and try out what we do.
Young musicians are invited to try a group out at any time, and new members to our beginner groups get their first full term with us for free after registering!
We may need to alter days and times as we reopen face to face rehearsals, and some may be replaced with digital activities.
WOODWIND, BRASS & PERCUSSION
BEGINNER WINDS
Tuesdays 4.15pm-5.00pm at Hope Valley College
Wednesdays 4.15pm-5.00pm at St Thomas More School
Fridays 5.30pm-6.15pm- Lady Manners School, Bakewell
Our Beginner Wind Ensembles welcome young musicians at the start of their musical learning, working towards or at an approximate Grade 1 level. Players experience the fundamentals of ensemble playing before progressing to our intermediate and senior-level ensembles.
Our beginner groups are directed by Chris Burge , Ben Simnett and Jane Taylor.
INTERMEDIATE WIND BAND
Fridays 6.30pm-8.30pm at Lady Manners School, Bakewell
Our Intermediate Wind Band provides an excellent opportunity for young musicians of an approximate Grade 2-4 ability to experience playing in an ensemble alongside other developing players.
The Intermediate Wind Band performs in public regularly and provides opportunities for residential courses, workshops and projects with our senior players.
Intermediate Wind Band is directed by Jane Taylor.
PEAK DISTRICT
WIND BAND
Fridays 6.30pm-8.30pm at Lady Manners School, Bakewell
The senior-level band, Peak District Wind Band (PDWB) has a fine reputation and over the years has performed in prestigious venues including the Birmingham Conservatoire.
Many young musicians join the band at an approximate grade 4-5 ability, marking the culmination of several years of development through our wind ensembles. Some will enjoy a leadership role within their instrument type, leading sections, performing solos and helping to mentor younger players, and many will continue to perform or study music into adulthood.
PDWB enjoys major performance opportunities and stimulating residential courses and workshops throughout an academic year.
Peak District Wind Band is directed by Danny Riley.
PEAK DISTRICT
BIG BAND
Wednesdays 7pm-9pm at St Thomas More School, Buxton
Peak District Big Band offers an exciting addition to the PDMC experience for young players who also want to perform jazz. The band plays regular gigs and has its own following. The wide ranging repertoire includes many well known and sometime less well-known classics, arranged to suit the ensemble.
Players who join the Big Band are typically already members of one of our intermediate or senior ensembles.
Peak District Big Band is directed by John Milner.
STRINGS
BEGINNER STRINGS
Fridays 4.45pm-5.30pm at St Thomas More School, Buxton
Thursdays 4.30pm-5.15pm Bakewell Methodist Junior School from 19 May 2022
Our Beginner String Ensembles welcome young musicians at the start of their musical learning, working towards or at an approximate Grade 1 level. Players experience the fundamentals of ensemble playing before progressing to our intermediate and senior-level ensembles.
TRAINING STRING ORCHESTRA
Fridays 5.15-6.30pm @ St. Thomas More School, Buxton
Our Training String Orchestra provides an excellent opportunity for young musicians of an approximate Grade 1-3 ability to experience playing in an ensemble alongside other developing players and enjoy playing in public concerts.
Training String Orchestra is directed by Gavin Usher.
INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA
Fridays 7.00pm-9.00pm @ St. Thomas More School, Buxton
Our Intermediate String Orchestra provides an excellent opportunity for young musicians of an approximate Grade 3-5 ability to experience playing in an ensemble alongside other developing players.
The Intermediate String Orchestra performs in public regularly and provides opportunities for residential courses, workshops and projects with our senior players.
Intermediate String Orchestra is directed by Jason Curteis.
PEAK DISTRICT
STRING ORCHESTRA
Fridays 7.00pm-9.00pm @ St. Thomas More School, Buxton
Peak District String Orchestra is PDMC’s senior string orchestra. The orchestra has a fine reputation and over the years has performed in prestigious venues, including the Albert Hall.
For many of our young musicians playing in PDSO marks the culmination of several years progressing through our ensembles; several players go on to pursue musical careers in their studies or adult life.
Major performance opportunities and stimulating residential courses and workshops form part of the PDSO experience.
Peak District String Orchestra is directed by Gavin Usher.