Severn Arts has reduced the membership fees for its bands and orchestras to encourage more children and young people to come and play together. 

From this month the annual membership fee to join Severn Arts bands and orchestras will be £80, a decrease of 60%.  Further financial help is also available to those who need it.  

Ian Hattersley, Severn Arts Music Lead for the bands and orchestras said: “We are always really keen for new members to join our bands and orchestras but not all young musicians can afford to do so. We really hope that by reducing the fees, far more players will be able to join the groups and benefit from playing with other experienced musicians and taking part in a number of performances across the year.” 

Young musicians who are playing around grade 4 are invited to join the Intermediate Orchestra and young musicians playing around grade 6 level to join the youth bands. The upper age limit of the groups is 25 years. No auditions are required, and anyone interested is encouraged to go along to the first session for FREE and give it a go! 

Severn Arts has also made their music centre groups free to join. The music centre groups which are in Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster and Malvern provide an opportunity for children and young people to improve their playing by rehearsing and performing with other children on a weekly basis. The groups are open to all children aged 7 years and above who are competent beginners up to around grade 3 level. 

Debbie Fawcett, Severn Arts Director of Learning said: “We want as many children as possible in Worcestershire to have access to playing a musical instrument which is why we are making our music centre groups free to take part in. The music centre groups are such a fun way for children to improve their playing and we really encourage anyone new to learning an instrument to come along and have a try. Being in our groups is also a great way for children to make new friends.” 

See our Join a group pages to sign up to a Severn Arts music centre group, band or orchestra.