Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts
The Friends is a charitable organisation, whose objective is to give additional support for the education of students at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts in Hatfield, HertfordshireHead
Peter Twitchin
Email: peter.twitchin@hertscc.gov.uk
Administrative Staff
Margaret Clark
Wendy Brownsell
Jen Dimmock
Address
Birchwood Avenue
Hatfield
AL10 OPS
Office Hours (term-time only)
Monday - Friday: 09.00-19.00
Saturday: 09.00-13.00
Contact
Tel: 01707 270025
Fax: 01707 276122
Email: midhertsmusicenquiries@hertscc.gov.uk
Activities
Individual lessons and Group lessons are available for the instruments listed below.
- Piano
- Brass: Cornet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium , Tuba etc.
- Guitar: Classical and Electric
- Orchestra: All orchestral instruments
- Percussion
- Recorder including tuned percussion and drum kit
- Singing
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
- Theory
- Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon
- Keyboard
- Organ
All groups work with experienced staff to develop their instrumental skills through listening and playing as part of an ensemble. They rehearse a wide variety of music and give regular concerts.
Brass, Woodwind & Percussion
Junior Windband
Thursday: 17.45-18.45
for newly established beginner Wind, Brass, Percussion and Bass Guitar players through to good, experienced junior players of about Grade 1 – 2 standard
Intermediate Windband
Thursday: 17.45-18.45
for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players who are of an intermediate standard of Grades 3, 4 and 5+
Mid Herts Youth Concert Band
Thursday: 17.45-19.00
for advanced players of higher grades who play Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Electric Bass and Keyboard instruments performing music from the varied advanced Wind Band repertoire
Senior Woodwind Ensembles
Saturday: 09.00-11.00
intermediate and advanced players from the Youth Orchestra and Training Orchestra work in small chamber groups as well as a full ensemble, performing music of a high level
Intermediate Brass Ensemble
Thursday 19.00-19.30
Intermediate Brass players
Senior Brass Ensemble
Saturday: 11.00-11.45
intermediate and advanced Brass players from Youth and Training Orchestras
Percussion Ensemble
Friday: 19.15-20.15
provides an opportunity for intermediate and advanced Percussionists to perform ensemble music using tuned and untuned Percussion as well as a variety of Latin instruments
Guitar
Guitar Ensemble - Junior
Wednesday: 19.15-19.45
mainly classical styles are performed by this junior group
Guitar Ensemble - Intermediate
Wednesday: 17.15-17.45
this more advanced group also performs mainly classical styles
Orchestra
Training Orchestra
Saturday: 11.15-12.30
Burleigh strings are combined with intermediate Wind/Brass/Percussion players
Entry is by audition for Wind/Brass/Percussion players. Grade 4+ standard is required. The emphasis is on orchestral training preparing musicians for the Mid Herts Youth Orchestra and beyond.
Mid Herts Youth Orchestra
Saturday: 11.15-13.00
membership by audition for advanced players
Music from the main orchestral repertoire is performed. A high standard of orchestral playing is required - usually Grades 6 - 8.
Recorder
Beginner
Tuesday: 16.00-16.30
a group for keen beginners
Junior
Tuesday: 17.00-17.30
a group for established players who will play within an ensemble
In both of these groups, skills will be acquired through fun music.
Intermediate Group
Tuesday: 16.30-17.00
Senior
Tuesday: 17.00-17.30
a group for players with plenty of experience in ensemble playing
Players should be confident at sight reading.
Singing
Young Voices
Saturday: 10.00-10.45
an introduction to singing for children in Years 1, 2 and 3 through singing, movement and games
Junior Choir
Saturday: 08.45-09.45
aimed at children who are currently Year 4, 5 and 6 at school, members are required to be enthusiastic as well as show a keenness to learn and have a commitment for the programme of events we offer
The music is varied and fun – accompanied / unaccompanied; traditional / popular songs; unison singing / singing in parts; rounds / echo songs / partner songs; serious songs / hilarious songs; English texts / some foreign texts.
Youth Choir
Saturday: 08.45-10.00
for pupils in Years 7 - 13
Repertoire includes extended part songs up to 3 parts from a variety of idioms, both accompanied and unaccompanied. An ability to read music is useful but not essential as the emphasis is on enjoyment through vocal skill development. The choir performs at local venues and in London. Singing lessons are encouraged.
Chamber Choir
Saturday: 10.00-11.00
more advanced choral chamber repertoire for the advanced members of the Mid Herts Youth Choir singing in 3 or 4 parts (SSAA) with one or more singers per part
Singing lessons are essential. This choir is an excellent group to join in conjunction with the County Youth Choir.
Hatfield and Welwyn Community choir
Wednesday: 18.45-20.00
at Onslow School
Strings
Beginner Strings
Saturday: 11.30-12.30
an established beginner level of playing is required - open strings and first finger pattern
The music performed includes simple arrangements which are fun yet challenging.
Hillharmonic Strings
Saturday: 11.15-12.30
a junior level of playing is required from established string players - G major 2 octaves and first finger back
Arrangements of popular and new string music are performed.
Burleigh Strings
Saturday: 09.45-11.00
this string orchestra requires an intermediate standard of string playing - third position should be established
More extended string repertoire from the classical and popular idioms of music are performed.
Mid Herts String Orchestra
Saturday: 10.00-11.00
the string section of the Youth Orchestra
String orchestra repertoire of an advanced standard is performed.
Theory
Theory Group
Monday: 18.00-18.45
this group offers a course of lessons leading up to Grade 5 theory examinations
The Friends of Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts
The Friends is a charitable organisation, whose objective is to give additional support for the education of students at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
The Centre is run by the Hertfordshire Music Service, part of Hertfordshire County Council