Five Valley's Music Centre (FVMC)

A great place to learn and develop as a musician, for all ages, Five Valleys Music Centre (FVMC) offers many opportunities to children and adults who play musical instruments and/or sing. The Centre has orchestras, choirs, wind bands, string groups, a jazz band and much more! Our staff will encourage every member to experience the exciting feeling of playing in large ensembles as an extension to lessons and the musical activities in schools.

We are happy for parents to bring their child/children along for two free trial sessions before joining. There is no need to make an appointment, just arrive at the start of the morning and enquire at the registration desk. Parents are welcome to stay and observe, and all new students are assigned a senior member student to help them. Please check first that the Centre is open by checking the GM calendar.

Session Timetable from September 2019

09:30 – 10:15
Theory
Choir
Jazz Band

10:15 – 11:15
Principal Orchestra
Training Orchestra
FAME for Wind and Strings

11:15 – 11:30

Break

11:30 – 12:30
String Ensemble
Wind Band
Adult Choir

Youth Groups at Five Valley's

FAME Academy (First Access Music Ensemble) for beginning Strings, Brass and Woodwind players.

FREE ensemble lessons for students in their first year of learning.

FAME Academy is our introductory level group. They are a lively and inclusive group who are developing their musical and note reading skills in preparation for progression into the other centre ensembles. FAME Academy may perform pieces that they have been working on as part of the FVMC concerts.

F.A.M.E. Academy welcome anyone who has been involved in a Wider Opportunities, First Access or Whole Class Music scheme through their schools as well as individuals who have been learning at home. It doesn't matter if you only know 5 notes on your instrument or if you can't read music as the staff at FAME Academy can teach you all you need to know.

FAME Academy Runs from 10.15 - 11.15am.

Training Ensembles - Grades 1-3

The next level within the centre after FAME is our Training section. Members at this level learn in an Orchestra suited to their abilities, as well as combining with the centre's principal members when separated into Strings and Wind Ensembles. At this level, members can also choose to develop their theory knowledge or join the centre youth choir.

Principal Ensembles - Grades 4+

Principal members of the centre combine with the training members to form our centre wind band and string ensembles. The principal members alone then form our flagship group, the Principal Orchestra.

Running alongside these main groups, principal members also have options of a Jazz Band, Centre Choir and Theory.

Adult Opportunities

Our Five Valleys Adult Wind Band is perfect for those currently playing a wind, brass or percussion instrument. A full band of local musicians around grade 3 - 6 and led by Jenny Steele. The band participates in local concerts, workshops and festivals and is often invited to perform as part of GM’s regular music festivals in Gloucester and Cheltenham. Click here for more information.

The Five Valleys Adult Choir meet every Saturday during term time, from 11.30-12.30, as part of the Five Valleys Music Centre based at Archway school in Stroud. Email us at glosmusic@gloucestershire.gov.uk or call 01452 427242 for more info

Performances

We hold centre concerts throughout the year to showcase all members and ensembles. These opportunities include both informal performances within the centre and more formal events held externally. Some are separate youth and adult performances, others are combined events.

Our next performance will be in June 2020.

Rehearsals are during term time only. Please check the full rehearsal schedule on the GM calendar.