Our wind, brass and percussion ensembles are structured on three levels ranging from two groups for children at the very earliest stages of learning, through the Intermediate Wind Band and ultimately to our flagship ensemble, the Concert Band.
Each ensemble is led by one or more of our experienced team of professional directors, each of whom is an expert in working with children at different levels of their musical development. They may even sometimes be mentored by a senior student who gains experience in tutoring and passing on their (often very considerable) musical skills.
Progression to the highest standard
Progression is by recommendation of Ensemble Directors who meet regularly to review the progressive pathway for each individual student with the aim of giving them the most appropriate experience for their age and level of playing.
When invited to move up a level players are normally encouraged to do both groups for a period of time, being a leader in one and an “apprentice” in the other. Players moving up to the Concert Band are allocated a mentor, a more experienced member of their section who ensures that they are happy, confident and fitting well into the band musically and socially.
Glossop and Chinley Junior Bands
Mondays 3.45-4.45pm at Chapel-en-le-Frith Primary School -- for beginner players up to grade 2
Fridays 4.15-5.15pm at Victoria Hall, Glossop -- for beginner players up to grade 2
The Junior Wind Bands are our entry level ensembles. Children can join these groups at the very earliest stages, sometimes when they know just a few notes and have rudimentary notation reading skills.
The groups enjoy a range of activities including Dalcroze and Kodaly based musical games, solo performance opportunities and of course rehearsing for concerts … to show off all their amazing achievements to parents and grandparents.
Led by our expert team of professional directors, each of whom is a specialist in working with children at the early stages of their musical journey, the music is tailor-written to cater for the individual abilities of each child.
Intermediate Wind Band
Mondays 5.00-6.00pm at Victoria Hall, Glossop -- for players of grade 2-4 ability
The Intermediate Wind Band enjoys a varied repertoire carefully chosen for their level of ability, including film music and exciting new pieces for wind band.
The group is directed by Sarah Hind, a founder member of the Dark Peak Concert Band and now an established director of ensembles including the National Childrens Concert Band.
The ensemble regularly performs at major events, including the National Concert Band Festival where is has twice been a Gold Award winner.
The group provides a thorough training for the Concert Band, establishing basic ensemble skills and confidence. Players are normally invited to become “apprentices” in the Concert Band where they will be mentored by more senior players as they develop confidence and experience, hopefully ultimately becoming leaders themselves.
Dark Peak Concert Band
Fridays 5.30-7.30pm at Victoria Hall, Glossop -- for players of grade 5+ ability
The Dark Peak Concert Band is our flagship ensemble. Led by conductor Jeff Snowdon it has achieved national recognition as one of the leading youth wind orchestras in the country, regularly performing at major national festivals and recently achieving the honour of being invited to perform in the Royal Albert Hall at the Music for Youth Proms.
The biennial European tour has taken the ensemble as far afield as the Czech Republic, Italy, Belgium and most recently Spain. The next tour is to Saxony visiting Leipzig, Dresden, Bad Schmiedeberg and Colditz Castle.
With between 50 and 60 players it performs an extensive repertoire, including major classics for symphonic wind orchestra alongside music for stage and screen.