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.
bursaries
PDMC are committed to ensuring that no child misses out on playing music due to financial challenges. Membership of all PDMC ensembles is free to all children qualifying for free school meals (other than universal free school meals), we just need to see evidence such as an official document or an e-mail from your school. We can also offer discretionary Bursaries to help with the cost of membership fees, instrument lessons and other musical opportunities. Applications can be made online here or contact admin@pdmc.org.uk for a manual form. The Terms of PDMC Bursaries can be found here. All applications are confidential.
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 half term with us for free after registering!
WOODWIND, BRASS & PERCUSSION
BEGINNER WINDS
Tuesdays 4.00pm-4.45pm at Hope Valley College
Wednesdays 4.15pm-5pm at Buxton Community School
Our Beginner Wind Ensembles welcome young musicians at the start of their musical learning, working towards or at an approximate Grade 2 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 St Anne's Community Centre, Buxton
Our Intermediate Wind Band provides an excellent opportunity for young musicians of an approximate Grade 3-4 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 St Anne's Community Centre, Buxton
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 Kenneth Tan.
PEAK DISTRICT
BIG BAND
Wednesdays 6.45pm-8.45pm at Buxton Community School
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 and choir
BEGINNER STRINGS
Thursdays 4.15pm-5.00pm Bakewell Methodist Junior School
Fridays 4.15pm-5pm, Buxton Infant School (from Sept24)
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.
Our beginner groups are directed by Gavin Usher and Sophie Sully
PDMC Junior Choir
Monthly on Saturdays, 9.45am-10.30am Buxton Community School
Our Junior Choir is a great place for young people in Y2-Y7 to enjoy singing a variety of musical styles with friends.
PDMC Junior Choir is directed by Sara-Kate Townsend
PDMC senior Choir
Monthly on Saturdays, 10.45am-11.45am Buxton Community School (starting 8 February 2025)
A choir for young people in Y7-Y11
PDMC Junior Choir is directed by Sara-Kate Townsend
TRAINING STRING ORCHESTRA
Fridays 5.15-6.30pm @ Buxton Infant 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 Sophie Sully.
INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA
Fridays 7.00pm-9.00pm @ Buxton Infant 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 @ Buxton Infant 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.
Pdmc electric strings
Mondays 6.30pm-8.00pm @ Fairfield Junior School, Buxton
PDMC Electric Strings is a new and exciting ensemble for strings players at grade 4 or above who would like to try something a little different as well as their traditional orchestra. Places are limited, so please contact admin@pdmc.org.uk to apply
PDMC Electric Strings is directed by Sophie Sully