Music lessons and activities

Find music activities for young musicians, including music lessons, instrument hire, songwriting and the County Ensembles advanced programme in Suffolk.

Music lessons

Lessons are offered to individuals and small group for brass, guitars, percussion, strings, voice and woodwind instruments. Find out more about the different lessons on the Suffolk Music Hub website.

Suffolk Youth Music weekly activities

Suffolk Youth Music (SYM) is the County Music Service's programme of musical activities for children and young people. The activities are led by the Music Service's team of professional tutors. There are opportunities across the county suitable for beginner to advanced young musicians in a range of genres, styles and traditions.

Music activities and descriptions
ActivityDescription

Junior

For young musicians already at a standard equivalent to grade 1-3.

Intermediate

For young musicians already playing/singing at a standard equivalent to grade 3+.

Area Ensembles

For more experienced players usually at grade 5+ standard or equivalent.

Ensembles include orchestras, jazz ensembles, bands and string ensembles.

County Music Groups

Orchestras, bands and choirs Suffolk County Music Service runs a bespoke programme for Suffolk’s finest young musicians. These high-level County Music Groups offer exciting performance opportunities throughout the year, performing at prestigious venues. Selected ensembles also have the opportunity to tour abroad each year.

Ensembles are coached by the Music Service’s professional team of tutors and guest artists from our partner professional orchestras, which in recent seasons have included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

  • Suffolk Youth Orchestra: for instrumentalists aged up to 21, playing at Grade 6+ standard and above (or equivalent).
  • Suffolk Youth Wind Orchestra: for woodwind, brass and percussion players aged up to 21, playing at Grade 5+ standard and above (or equivalent).
  • Suffolk Young Strings: a string orchestra for players aged under 16, playing at Grade 4+ standard (or equivalent).
  • Suffolk Youth Choir: a non-auditioned opportunity for all singers aged 13 to 21 years. This will be available later in the year.

Read about County Music Groups on the Suffolk Music Hub website.

Instrument hire

Children, young people and schools can hire instruments from Suffolk County Music Service.

Hire is subject to stock availability, and conditions apply. Find out more about instrument hire on the Suffolk Music Hub website.