Concerts and Events

Students playing wind instruments

SCYM Term dates for 2024–25

Autumn Term 2024

  • September: 21, 28
  • October: 5, 12, 19

Half-term: Saturdays 26 October & 2 November

  • November: 9, 16, 23, 30
  • December: 7

Spring Term 2025

  • January: 11, 18, 25
  • February: 1, 8

Half-term: Saturdays 15 & 22 February

  • March: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Summer Term 2025

  • April: 26
  • May: 3, 10, 17

Half-term: Saturdays 24 & 31 May

  • June: 7, 14, 21, 28
  • July: 5, 12

Make-up Weeks

14 December 2024 and 19 July 2025 are make-up weeks should they be required by SCYM or SCYM tutors.

News

Lunchtime concert – 15 June

Thank you to the SCYM musicians that performed for family and friends on Saturday.

Three students playing guitar
Emma playing cello
Ethan playing piano
Soshin playing violin
Young student playing cello

Masterclass and workshop given by trombonist John Barber

John Barber, Principal Trombone of the Foden’s Brass Band and most versatile trombonist, with young musicians in the masterclass on Saturday 8 June.

Masterclass participants and pieces played were:

  • Harry – Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
  • Sam – 2nd mvt of Rimsky Korsakov trombone concerto
  • Maya – Concertino by Ferdinand David
Group playing tromboneStudents holding trombones

Masterclass on 18 May

Teacher and student at piano
Two SCYM students had the opportunity to spend some time with Tom Poster and Elena Urioste on Saturday 18 May for a masterclass.

Bethany, joined pianist Tom Poster in Saffron Hall for her first masterclass. Bethany said, ‘it was a wonderful experience and I learnt such a huge amount’.

Two students with violins
Yahel, with violist Elena Urioste in Saffron Hall for his masterclass. Yahel said, ‘what an incredible experience – I learnt so much’.

Bethany and Yahel joined a full audience in the evening to listen to an amazing performance given by Tom and Elena, Selections for #UriPosteJukebox, in Saffron Hall.

Summer Jazz Course

Gareth Lumbers and Charlie Bates will be leading SCYM’s summer jazz course, 27-29 August. If you would like to register your musician, please contact Sophie Stafford.

Summer Jazz Course poster

SCYM Jazz Band Tour

SCYM’s jazz band is going on tour in the summer! The tour to Salzburg, Austria has been organised by Essex Music Services and is a first for us. The jazz band will be traveling with Essex Youth Orchestra and Essex Youth Jazz

Britten Sinfonia Inspirational Day

Britten Sinfonia
Over 80 young musicians enjoyed a day with 15 members of Britten Sinfonia under the baton of Karen Ní Bhroin on Sunday 21 April.

The day comprised sectionals and tutti rehearsals and the young musicians prepared Beethoven, Arr. George Morton II. Allegretto from Symphony No 7; Gershwin, Arr. George Morton Extracts from Rhapsody in Blue; Price, Arr. George Morton Juba Dance from Symphony No 1 and Dani Howard Jigsaw to showcase to their parents at the end of the day.

Thank you Orchestras Live, Britten Sinfonia, Essex Music Hub and Saffron Hall for making this event possible. We are looking forward to the next one.

  • SCYM musicians will be working along side members of Britten Sinfonia on Sunday 21 April. The repertoire is fantastic (from Beethoven, through Gershwin and to a new piece by Dani Howard which includes electronics). It will be a stretching and challenging day for all with sectional work, and a performance from Britten Sinfonia as well as tutti rehearsals and performance.
  • Our Jazz Band, Senior Strings and Senior Choirs will be performing in E7 on 23 March. Starting at 1030am – a great way to end the Spring term.
  • Our Symphony Orchestra and Choirs performed in Saffron Hall on 10 February 2024. The audience was treated to two pieces: Flash Bang Wallop and Blooming Heather, the latter of which was arranged by SCYM alumna Anna Middleton.
  • Weekly performances by our young musicians, individually and ensembles, from 10 – 1020am in the foyer of Saffron Hall.
  • Saffron Hall’s 10th Birthday Jess Gillam & Britten Sinfonia, 3 December 2023 – a string and piano ensemble, made from current SCYM students and alumni, accompanied Jess Gillam for a performance of Braziliera from Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud.
SCYM ensemble
Jess Gillam & Britten Sinfonia
J Steps
J Steps

J Steps open audition flyer
J Steps open audition flyer

SCYM’s Junior Brass band
SCYM’s Junior Brass band