Weekly Ensembles

Find information about our weekly (term time) ensemble programme below. Further information can be found on bands, choirs, orchestras and ensembles.

Music Centre membership costs £35 per term. Students can participate in multiple ensembles for this termly fee. Multiple sibling discounts are available.

Mondays at Wigan Music Service HQ

Ensemble - Wigan Junior Percussion Ensemble

  • Who is it for? Drummer and percussionists learning to read music around grade 1 standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 5pm - 6pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Chris Perry
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Ensemble - Wigan Youth Percussion Ensemble

  • Who is it for? Advancing drummers / percussionists who read music who are grade 3+
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 6pm - 7pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Chris Perry
  • Do I need to book? Please call us to discuss joining the ensemble before you come
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service -  musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Ensemble - ‘The Really Awful Orchestra’ (In partnership with The Music Continuum) – Community Band

  • Who is it for? Our adults community band. Open access to anyone who has prior instrumental playing experience. Wide ranging standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 7:15pm - 9:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Chris Perry and Music Continuum Staff
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Mondays at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary

Wigan Youth Training Jazz Orchestra

  • Who is it for? Young musicians grade 4+ standard. Brass, Woodwind / Rhythm Section
  • Where is it happening? Worsley Mesnes CP, Clifton Street, Wigan, WN3 5HN
  • What time does it start / finish? 5:15pm - 6:45pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Sharon Darby-Purcell
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Sharon Darby-Purcell – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / Sharon.darby@wigan.gov.uk.

Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra

  • Who is it for? Advanced students. Gd 6+ Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Rhythm Section
  • Where is it happening? Worsley Mesnes CP, Clifton Street, Wigan, WN3 5HN
  • What time does it start / finish? 7pm - 8:45pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Dave Little
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Dave Little - Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / d.little@wigan.gov.uk.

Tuesdays at Music Service HQ

Wigan Junior Brass Band (Hindley)

  • Who is it for? Beginner brass players. Pre grade 1 +
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 5pm - 6pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Jonathan Ford
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Youth Training Brass Band

  • Who is it for? Intermediate brass players approx. Grade 2 – Grade 5 standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 6:15pm - 7:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Alex Thomas
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Youth Brass Band

  • Who is it for? Advanced brass band players Grade 5+ standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? – 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Dave Little
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Dave Little - Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / d.little@wigan.gov.uk.

Tuesdays at St Benedict’s RC Primary, Hindley

Wigan Junior String Orchestra (Hindley)

  • Who is it for? Beginner orchestral string players (pre-grade 1 to grade 2)
  • Where is it happening? – St Benedict’s Primary School, Abbot St, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3DG
  • What time does it start / finish? 4:30pm - 5:30pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Louise Peacock
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Louise Peacock – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 l.peacock@wigan.gov.uk.

Tuesdays at ‘The Old Courts’

Wigan Youth Chamber Choir

  • Who is it for? Secondary age students, serious about singing who may be having signing lessons and who want to sing in a more formal choir in harmony
  • Where is it happening? The Old Courts - Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford St, Wigan WN1 1NA
  • What time does it start / finish? 5:30pm - 6:30pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Alison Home
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Alison Home – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Children’s Choir

  • Who is it for? All primary school age children wanting to enjoy singing out of school
  • Where is it happening? The Old Courts – Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford St, Wigan WN1 1NA
  • What time does it start / finish? 6:30pm - 7:30pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Alison Home
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Alison Home – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact? ­Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / alison.home@wigan.gov.uk.

Wednesdays at Music Centre HQ

Wigan Junior Concert Band

Who is it for? Junior Woodwind, Brass and Percussion pupils. Beginner to Grade 3

Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY

What time does it start / finish? 5pm - 6pm

Who is the lead teacher? Steph Burns

Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing

Who do I contact? Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Youth Saxophone Ensemble

Who is it for? Saxophonists Grade 3+ standard

Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY

What time does it start / finish? 6pm - 6:45pm

Who is the lead teacher? Sharon Darby-Purcell

Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Sharon Darby-Purcell – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies

Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / Sharon.darby@wigan.gov.uk.

Wigan Youth Flute Choir

  • Who is it for? Flautists Grade 3+ standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 6:30pm - 7:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Steph Burns
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Sharon Darby-Purcell – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies
  • Who do I contact? Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / Sharon.darby@wigan.gov.uk.

Wigan Youth Concert Band

  • Who is it for? Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players Grade 3+ standard
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 7:15pm - 8:45pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Sharon Darby-Purcell
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Sharon Darby-Purcell – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership and vacancies
  • Who do I contact? Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / Sharon.darby@wigan.gov.uk

Thursdays at Hope Academy

Wigan Junior Brass Band (Hope)

  • Who is it for? Beginner brass players. Pre grade 1+
  • Where is it happening? (Library) Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 4:15pm - 5:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Dave Little
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Junior String Orchestra (Hope)

  • Who is it for? Beginner orchestral string players (pre-grade 1 to grade 2)
  • Where is it happening? (Main Hall) Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 4:15pm - 5:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Debbie Wright
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Louise Peacock – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 l.peacock@wigan.gov.uk

Wigan Intermediate String Orchestra

  • Who is it for? Intermediate orchestral string players (grade2 to grade 5 standard)
  • Where is it happening? (Main Hall) Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 5:20pm - 6:20pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Debbie Wright
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Louise Peacock – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact? Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 l.peacock@wigan.gov.uk

Wigan Junior Guitar Ensemble

  • Who is it for? Classical / Acoustic guitarists learning from notation beginner to grade 3  
  • Where is it happening? Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 6pm - 7pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Barry Howard
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Let us know you plan to attend by calling or emailing
  • Who do I contact? Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Junior Concert Band (Hope)

  • Who is it for? Junior Woodwind, Brass and Percussion pupils. Beginner to Grade 3
  • Where is it happening? Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 6:15pm - 7:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Mel McCabe
  • Do I need to book? Yes, you do need to book before you turn up
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Youth Guitar Ensemble

  • Who is it for? Classical / Acoustic guitarists learning from notation grade 4 + standard 
  • Where is it happening? Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 7:15pm - 8:15pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Paul Birch
  • Do I need to book? Yes, you do need to book before you turn up
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service – musicservice@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 776169.

Wigan Youth Symphony Orchestra

  • Who is it for? Advanced string, brass, woodwind and percussion players grade 6+ standard
  • Where is it happening? (Main Hall) Hope Academy, Ashton Road, Newton-Le-Willows, WA12 0AQ
  • What time does it start / finish? 6:30pm - 9pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Louise Peacock and Richard Waldock
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Louise Peacock – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact?  Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 l.peacock@wigan.gov.uk

Thursdays at Music Service HQ

Wigan Youth Show Choir

  • Who is it for? Young singers with an interest in musical theatre performance
  • Where is it happening? Wigan Music Service, Park Road, Hindley, WN2 3RY
  • What time does it start / finish? 5:15pm - 6:45pm
  • Who is the lead teacher? Alison Home
  • Do I need to book? Yes. Please contact Alison Home – Assistant Head of Music Service to discuss membership
  • Who do I contact? ­ Wigan Music Service 01942 776169 / alison.home@wigan.gov.uk

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