In addition to acting as a base for the Music Service, Youth Choir, Workshops and administrative activities, the Music Centre is a venue for a music lending library for educational use, a reference library, together with teaching, conference and rehearsal rooms which may be hired.
A team of peripatetic music teachers provides tuition in primary and secondary schools on a wide range of instruments and in singing. Tuition is provided free of charge. Children who do not own instruments can hire them from the Music Service.
The following musical activities are also available:
The Manx Youth Orchestras
The Manx Youth Orchestras meet on Saturday mornings during school terms. There are three groups; Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The senior orchestra has undertaken several major foreign tours and plays a wide variety of challenging music. It also acts as a musical ambassador for the Isle of Man. Members of the Manx Youth Orchestras who attend secondary school, must take part in instrumental ensembles within their own school. There is a parental contribution to the cost. During recent years the MYOs have developed strong links with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Music Workshops
The aim of the Saturday Morning Music Workshops is to provide extra opportunities and facilities for children, normally within the 8-13 age range, to meet together for intensive involvement in music making activities. No special skills are required, other than an interest in music and there is a distinct "music is fun" approach to the morning's activities. Workshops provide opportunities to become involved in all kinds of musical activities - singing, recorder, guitar, classroom percussion, electronic keyboard skills, folk music, 'ear games', reading and writing music and music drama. The Saturday Morning Music Workshops operate during the Autumn and Spring terms only.
Manx Youth Choir
The purpose of the Manx Youth Choir is to provide an extension to the choral work done in the schools and the Choir provides an opportunity for like-minded young people from all over the Island to meet together in order to study some of the great choral repertoire in depth.
All prospective school members of the Manx Youth Choir must be members of their own school choir and must be recommended for membership by their school. The normal age range is 13/14 years to 21 years, although the average age is 17.
The Choir normally meets for short residential and non-residential courses two or three times each year and there is normally a major concert at the end of the second course.
The Choir has undertaken major tours abroad, as well as several shorter weekend visits. All tuition and provision of music is provided free of charge but travel costs for tours are normally met by the member themselves and a contribution towards the accommodation costs of residential courses is normally required. The Choir does, however, have a fundraising organisation whose activities assist in keeping costs to members of the Choir to a minimum.
Manx Children's Choir
Founded in 2002 the Manx Children's Choir is a stepping-stone to the Manx Youth Choir. It meets for weekly rehearsals during term time.
Further details regarding the Manx Youth Orchestra, Saturday Morning Music Workshops and the Manx Youth Choir can be obtained from the Music Centre or visit www.sch.im/youthorchestra/index.html or contact the Music Centre, Government Buildings, Lord Street, Douglas, IM1 1LE Tel: (01624) 686555
