County Music Groups

Orchestras, bands and choirs

Suffolk County Music Service (SCMS) runs a bespoke programme for Suffolk’s finest young musicians. These high-level County Music Groups offer exciting performance opportunities throughout the year, performing at prestigious venues. Selected ensembles also have the opportunity to tour internationally each year. 

Ensembles are coached by SCMS’s professional team of tutors and guest artists from our partner professional orchestras, which in recent seasons have included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.  

  • Suffolk Youth Orchestra: for instrumentalists aged up to 21, playing at Grade 6+ standard and above (or equivalent). 

  • Suffolk Youth Wind Orchestra: for woodwind, brass & percussion players aged up to 21, playing at Grade 5+ standard and above (or equivalent). 

  • Suffolk Young Strings: a string orchestra for players aged under 16, playing at Grade 4+ standard (or equivalent). 

  • Suffolk Youth Choir: a non-auditioned opportunity for all singers 13-21 years.  More details can be found here

  • Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra: for pianists, guitar / bass guitarists, drummers & percussionists, trumpet/cornet players, trombonists, and saxophone players at grade 5+ standard.  Other instruments considered upon request - will be launching later in the year and recruited separately.  Members will play a wide range of big band charts from the modern to the classics; develop an awareness and understanding of the jazz idiom; improve your jazz theory; understand chord symbols and learn how to use them to improvise; perform with musicians of a similar ability and develop your own individual style and sound. More details will be sent to schools and published on our website and via social media as it becomes available. Please do however register your interest here so we can send this to you directly. 

Why join?

  • Regular International concert tours! (Suffolk Youth Orchestra and Suffolk Youth Wind Orchestra presently) 
  • Perform in prestigious concert halls, including Snape Maltings!
  • Take your instrumental skills to the very highest levels.
  • Learn, play and perform a varied and exciting programme of music.
  • Develop your ensemble performance skills.
  • Work with like-minded musicians and friends as part of a brilliant team!
  • A progressive pathway in your personal, musical and broader educational development and excellent experience for your CV and College/University application statements.

More information

Find our rehearsal and performance dates for the 2021-22 season.

Read on to find our costs, membership conditions and frequently asked questions.

Open the menu below to find out how to apply and read more information about the County Music Groups.

Contact us if you have any questions by email county.musicservice@suffolk.gov.uk or phone 01473 263400. 

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