Brent Youth Concert Pops Orchestra
Vacancies for pianists - 2 places available
Great opportunity for young pianists Grade 5+ up to 21 years of age.
Brent Youth Concert Pops Orchestra is looking for 2 pianists to play in its rhythm section. The successful candidates must have the ability to play in a variety of styles, have good sight reading skills, and be of at least Grade 5 standard. It would be desirable to be able to improvise but this is not essential. The Orchestra meets monthly on a Sunday from 1-5pm at the Lycee International School, Wembley and performs at least 2 concerts a year.
Auditions will be held on Monday 27th March from 5pm at Brent Music Service, Claremont High School, Claremont Avenue, Harrow, HA3 0UH (Entry to BMS is via The Greenway). The audition will consist of:
1. Performance of a piece of your choice to demonstrate your skills
2. Sight reading assessment
3. Playing from a chord/lead sheet (improvising an accompaniment) - this will be given during the audition.
Click HERE to complete the application form or email ensembles@brentmusicservice.com if you have any questions.
Brent Youth Concert Pops Orchestra (Grade 5+, up to 21 years old)
The orchestra is led by renowned conductor Pete Harrison. The orchestra plays a huge variety of music including classical, jazz, musicals, rock, soul and world music. The core of players for this orchestra come from the weekly BMS senior ensembles. However, the Pops Orchestra welcomes advanced players who are unable to commit to weekly rehearsals but would like the opportunity to play this exciting repertoire in an advanced ensemble.
Spring/Summer 2023 Rehearsal Dates
Lycée Internationale de Londres Winston Churchill, 54 Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9LY (Please use the entrance on Kings Dr.)
Sunday 26th February: 1pm-5pm
Sunday 19th March: 1pm-5pm
Sunday 23rd April: 1pm-5pm
Sunday 28th May: 1pm-5pm
Sunday 25th June: 1pm-5pm
Sunday 16th July: Afternoon rehearsal and Evening concert, timings TBC
Which instruments are included?
Brass: trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba
Woodwind: flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon and alto, tenor and baritone saxophone
Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp
Percussion
Rhythm Section: drum kit, electric bass, guitar, keyboard/piano
Cost
The fee for new members joining from September 2023 is £99 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Fees are due at the point of enrolment.
Pete Harrison - Musical Director of the Brent Youth Concert Pops Orchestra
Pete studied at the Royal College of Music before his conducting career started in London’s West End with Crazy For You (Prince Edward Theatre), Disney’s Beauty & the Beast (Dominion Theatre) and Lautrec (Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Shaftesbury Theatre).
He is a regular guest conductor and presenter with many orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the New Russian State Symphony Orchestra (Novaya Rossiya), the Ulster Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
His work with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra includes their Last Night of the Christmas Proms concerts since 2010 as well as their regular series of film music concerts including Heroes & Superheroes (1 & 2), Heroes & Aliens, Heroes & Legends and Heroes & Monsters. Past concerts include their Classic FM live concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Symphonic Queen, Chilled Out Classics, Abba Spectacular, Disco Symphonic Spectacular, Symphonic 80s and Symphonic Pink Floyd.
Pete is also a regular conductor and presenter for Raymond Gubbay Ltd. Past concerts include Spectacular Classics, The Best of Bond, Zimmer v. Williams, Star Wars and Beyond – A Space Spectacular, Abba Classics, New Year’s Eve Gala Concerts, Last Night of the Summer Proms and Superheroes at the Symphony.
Studio work includes the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra at the Smecky Music Studios Prague as well as the BBC and regular UK session work. Pete is regularly in the studio with composers Adam Saunders & Mark Cousins.
Education work includes the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales, Kent County Youth Orchestra, Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra for Berkshire Maestros and the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Orchestra of Wells Cathedral School.
He is the Musical Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Voices based in Southampton, partnered with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Upcoming Projects and Performances
Dates to be confirmed
Previous Projects and Performances
Christmas Concert 2022
July 2022 - Brent Makes Music at Wembley Arena with THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA .
9th November 2021 - PERFORMANCE WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
In the Autumn term members of the BYCPO composed a piece of music with musicians from the RPO which was performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Barnardo's Movie Magic Concert.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH MUSICIANS FROM ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
December 5th 2021
BRENT ANTHEM - Sparks Fly
As part of Brent Makes Music 2022, the orchestra will be premiering the orchestral arrangement of the Brent Anthem alongside players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The Brent Anthem was composed by our own students under the guidance of prolific composer and animateur James Redwood, who will be working with the Orchestra and delivering the arrangement.
We are looking forward to getting back together following the pause created by Covid and making big plans in the future for this exciting orchestra.
How do I join?
Click on the link below and complete the form for the ensemble you would like to join. Your details will be passed to the leader of that ensemble and you should hear from them within a week (during term time).
What happens in the audition?
There is no formal audition for this ensemble. If your instrumental teacher advises you that you are Grade 5 level or above you can apply to join. You can become a member if you already play in either the Brent Concert Band, Brent Youth String Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra (on recommendation only), Senior Guitar Ensemble or Live Academy.
How many concerts do you do?
A minimum of 1-2 concerts per term; however, it could be more! We had a European tour planned for summer 2020 which was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid. We hope to be able to offer similar opportunities in the future.
What does a rehearsal look like?
It's big!!! You will be stretched, will learn a great deal and it will significantly improve your love of playing in a ensemble. The sound is huge and after at least 4 hours of playing you will be exhausted, but happy!!
What music does the orchestra play?
The orchestra plays a huge variety of music, including classical, jazz, musicals, rock, soul and world music.
What should I bring to rehearsals?
Your instrument!
Your music
A folder for your music - with your name on
A pencil
A water bottle
A snack for the break and lunch!
Do you have any rules?
We all agree to abide by the behaviour code set down by Brent Music Service. We arrive 10 minutes before the rehearsal starts, set up music stands and chairs and at the end of the rehearsal, everyone is expected to help pack away.
What do you have to wear for concerts?
All black with a BMS tie. Black shirt/blouse, black trousers/skirt (NO JEANS), black socks, tights optional (black/neutral), black shoes. A formal black dress is also permitted but MUST cover shoulders and knees.
Brent Concert Pops Gallery
