Bands, Orchestras and Ensembles

The Merton Music Foundation provides a range of music making activities as part of its Merton Youth Music Programme at Merton Music Centre, Canterbury Road, Morden. The Centre offers a structured progression of centrally run instrumental groups, bands, choirs, orchestras and ensembles. A termly membership fee is charged as a contribution towards the running costs of Merton Youth Music. Payment of this fee provides members with access to the Foundation's bands, choirs, orchestras and ensembles. Members may participate in more than one activity without further charge. Reductions are also available for families receiving MMF Trust Fund support and for second and subsequent children within families. Further information about the MMF Trust Fund may be obtained in confidence from the MMF Office.

Rehearsals

Activities take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. In addition to weekly or fortnightly rehearsals there are regular opportunities to perform in concerts provided by the MMF. Concerts involving all groups are given termly, except for the Merton Youth Orchestra which performs twice yearly. Pupils are encouraged to join the Foundation's training groups as soon as they have developed some elementary instrumental skills, usually within the first year of learning an instrument. When an appropriate standard has been reached members then progress to the Foundation's intermediate orchestras, bands, choirs and ensembles. For more advanced players the Foundation offers a range of senior groups including a Youth Concert Band, Youth Jazz Orchestra, Youth Orchestra and several instrumental and vocal ensembles. A termly newsletter is produced by the Merton Music Foundation for members and their Parents.

Merton Youth Music Tours

Merton Youth Music provides regular tours abroad for its senior groups. Not only are these of immense educational value but they also offer wider educational benefits such as the opportunity to promote international relationships. Groups also from time to time visit other parts of the country to attend music festivals and residential courses. These activities are important as they help the cohesion of the groups and contribute significantly to their performance standards. In addition several senior groups have gained a national and international reputation, participating in prestigious events both at home and abroad.

Friends of Merton's Young Musicians

Merton Youth Music has a thriving Parents' Association known as FMYM. Parents of all students are automatically considered as being members and a committee meets regularly to administer the affairs of the organisation, to arrange fund-raising events and to help with concerts and other events. Through these efforts some of the more expensive instruments have been bought and large contributions have been made to the costs of music and overseas tours.

FMYM maintains a high profile at the Merton Music Centre by serving refreshments for our young musicians on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, and producing regular newsletters for all members. FMYM are always looking for helpers to staff their refreshments and other events - offers of help should be addressed through the MMF Office.