Ensemble activities are available to all young musicians in Wigan Borough and the surrounding area. Students do not have to receive their lessons through Wigan Music Service to take part in these activities. There are 23 weekly ensembles meeting in and around the borough ranging from beginner string orchestras and guitar ensembles to award winning brass bands, symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles.
For advancing students, Wigan Music Service ensembles are also the gateway to the prestigious Greater Manchester ensembles, find more information at Greater Manchester Music Hub (external link).
How it works
Ensembles are available at all levels, from beginner to advanced.
Pupils normally join a suitable beginner group before moving on to an intermediate ensemble when they are ready. Entry to some senior ensembles is by audition.
Coaching and training is provided by professional Musical Directors assisted by skilled instrumental tutors.
To find out more about our ensembles and to see if one is appropriate for your child, please speak to a member of the Music Service management team.
Our exciting new Choir’s
Whatever your child’s age, we have a choir for them to be a part of out of school. Enjoy singing with children from across the borough with the support of professional vocal coaches and musicians.
- Wigan Children’s Choir - An open access choir for children aged 7+ that love to sing. No previous experience required, just lots of enthusiasm!
- Wigan Youth Show Choir - With a focus on popular songs and songs from the shows this open access choir is ideal for young people aged 10-19 that love to sing, act, or dance. No previous experience required
- Wigan Youth Chamber Choir - For singers aged 12-19. This group sing a wide range of repertoire at a high standard. Ideal for students taking singing lessons.
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