essex schools string orchestras

In 1999, Mark Messenger set up the Essex Schools String Orchestras in association with Essex Music Services. This was a direct result of the paucity of quality string players coming through the system.

The response was so overwhelming it became apparent that there were many enthusiastic musicians out there, but they were so dislocated geographically that they rarely had the opportunity to make music with their peers.

There are now three orchestras, Essex String Orchestra (Grade VI and above), Young Essex Strings (Grades III to V), and Strings 4 Starters. Day-long courses take place three times a year at the Colchester Institute, and string workshops for younger players occur every half-term throughout the county.

Now courses regularly attract over 100 violins, violas, cellos and basses, and already this is impacting directly on the youth orchestras, the music conservatoire at Colchester Institute, and on the quality of youth music throughout the county of Essex.

For further details of the Essex String Orchestras contact Andrew Coles on:
01206 798788 or andrew.coles@essexcc.gov.uk

Reference from Andrew Coles

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