Hampshire Music Service Ensembles

The County and Area ensembles are part of a growing network of over 70 groups across Hampshire, run by the Hampshire Music Service. Being a member of a music group is a unique educational experience, which supports good progress in playing or singing, alongside the enjoyment and social rewards of making music together.

Each year several of our ensembles achieve national profile. In November 2008 our Vivaldi string ensemble and the Japanese drumming group Oku Nojo Daiko featured in the School's Prom concert at the Royal Albert Hall. At the 2009 Schools’ Prom concert at the Royal Albert Hall, 800 Hampshire children formed a massed choir to perform the world premiere of Stephen McNeff’s The Darwin Dilemma. This piece, commissioned especially for the occasion, was an exciting collaboration between the Music Service and Hampshire schools involving singers, instrumentals and dancers from around the county.  

We celebrate these achievements in many concerts, festivals and musical events throughout the year.

Comprehensive information about rehearsals and the requirements needed to join an ensemble are shown in the area ensemble directory and county ensemble listing, whilst details about forthcoming concerts and events, which are organised throughout the year by all of our ensembles, are available in our events diary.