HYM Membership Guidelines
We continue to invest a lot of time and effort into these flagship ensemble opportunties with the aim of ensuring that HYM groups puch members beyond their expectations whilst remaining as accessible as possible to all musicians of the appropriate standards.
Our 2024 Concerts Festival in Eden Court Theatre was a triumph and we continue to strive to maintain access for Highland musicians to this credible and professional progression route in addition to the free weekly lessons provided in schools, our area ensembles or tuition supported privately by families.
In order to ensure that HYM groups can continue, we must cover costs – hence the membership contributions we request. These cover staffing; venue hire, concert infrastructure & transport – all of this comes to substantially more than the level of membership fee we are requesting this year. We hope, amongst all the other pressures on family finances, that by offering instalment options we can ease any payment pressure. Costs have been set at a level which is very much lower than any other similar activities. However – please don’t refuse a place due to potential financial burden – email norman.bolton@highlifehighland.com to discuss further if necessary.
In session 2024/25 we will be running the following ensembles:
HYWB - Wind Band (woodwind; brass & percussion)
HYSO - String Orchestra (all orchestral strings – grades 3/4/5)
HRYO - Youth Orchestra (all strings; woodwind; brass; percussion; harp – grds5+)
HYC - Youth Choir (treble voices/sop/alto only)
‘SNAS - Ceilidh Band (all trad instrs)
HYBB - Big Band (all saxes: trumpet; trombone; keys; bass; guitar; drumkit)
NEW - BEIRA - folk-fusion band with backline (drums/cajon, bass, guitar, keys) + fiddle; accordion; whistle; small pipes etc
NEW - HLHPB – High Life Highland Pipe Band – bagpipes + snare, tenor & bass drums
As a result of attending Taster Day, HYM staff may recommend an alternative group – this will be based on specialist recommendation.
Please note that BEIRA & HLHPB will be collaborating and may NOT be a part of the March Concerts Festival – there will be other planned performance activities (which may incur additional charges)
HYM MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES
2024-25 (updated 25.6.24)
As ambassadors for Highland Young Musicians, it is essential that all members strive to promote a positive attitude to the Groups and ensure that the expectations of the HLH Head of Music Development and designated Instructors/leaders are met.
Essential rehearsal equipment: music stand, pencil, rubber, spare reeds, strings, mutes (as appropriate), music & instruments.
Practice before rehearsals:
To ensure that best use is made of limited rehearsal time, members should ensure that they are completely familiar with all music before each rehearsal. Rehearsals are planned to allow work on musical points, NOT note/music learning. In some circumstances, groups will utilise aspects of online contact between rehearsals. HLH Instructors should also be asked to provide support if required.
Attendance at rehearsals:
By agreeing to become a member of Highland Young Musicians, it is assumed that the rehearsal schedule has been read and understood.
We expect a high level of commitment from members and full attendance at rehearsals is essential – not only for individual members’ sakes, but also for the musical success of the whole group.
In the event of any member being genuinely unable to attend, please email: hym@highlifehighland.com before noon on the Friday of rehearsal weekends. After noon, please contact Norman Bolton direct on 07748 760747.
As rehearsal time is extremely limited, members MUST be prompt and ready to begin playing at times indicated by staff.
Saturday Rehearsals at Inverness High School:
Rehearsals: START at 10.30 prompt, until 5.15.
Groups usually rehearse together from:
10.30am until 12.45pm (with one or two short breaks as required)
Lunch: 12.45 – 1.45 (building social contacts with musicians from across Highland is part of what we do!)
Rehearse: 1.45 – 4.45pm (with one or two short breaks as required)
Finish: 5.15 – all members/staff to help with clear please. Please note that ALL groups will rehearse until 4.45pm and no member should be allowed to leave the venue before then. Leave venue cleared by 5.15pm.
No catering will be provided at any HYM rehearsal weekends. There are plenty of food outlets within safe walking distance of all venues. Students may take packed lunches, snacks etc. to our venues if they so wish, but we request no energy drinks in the venues.
Transport to & from rehearsals:
Coaches are provided free of charge from many locations. There will be no guaranteed adult supervision on these journeys.
Members MUST obey instructions given by the driver and MUST wear the seat belts provided.
There should be no need for members to move around coaches at any point.
Members should ensure that coaches are left in a tidy manner & should not leave the coach until the driver states that it is safe to do so.
No instruments will be allowed on board coaches – all must be stowed in the holds.
Some other points to note:
The end of the day is made much easier if every member helps clear rehearsal areas and ensures that we leave Inverness High School as we found it (also making sure that all personal belongings and music are taken away).
Members returning on coach transport should make their way to the appropriate coach and passenger lists will be checked prior to departure – if plans have changed and members are NOT returning on one of our coaches, parents and members have been asked to inform Norman of this in advance so that we know exactly who is on each coach and also so that the coaches can leave as quickly as possible. Failure to notify of return transport changes wastes an incredible amount of time and energy searching for members who can already be on their way home independently – but coaches will be allowed to go once every effort to confirm any changes have been made.
Membership Costs 24/25:
These costs apply to all members (including students & post-school members). The following options will be given when accepting a place in a HYM group:
Option 1: 4 instalments of £80 (October; November; January; February)
Option 2: Full payment of £320 (October) (no March ’24 accommodation included)
Option 3: 4 instalments of £80 (October; November; January; February) THEN an additional £50 accommodation payment if using the overnight option before the March 2025 Concert in Eden Court (there will be no return coaches after the Fri. evening rehearsal)
Option 4: Full payment of £370 (includes March ’25 accommodation prior to Concerts Festival - no return coaches on that Fri evening)
PLEASE NOTE: members accepting a place in BEIRA or HLHPB should opt for option 1 or 2 - any additional payments will be dealt with over and above this 'basic' membership level which helps towards the costs of travel, staffing & rehearsal venue costs.
Concert Dress:
ALL MEMBERS will require:
Females: black shirt; black trousers/skirt; black shoes (not trainers)
(Please ensure that shirts have enough material over tops of trousers/skirts to preserve modesty when seated. This ‘modesty’ request also applies to skirt length).
Males: black shirt; black trousers; black shoes (not trainers); black socks
(Shirts should be tucked into trousers)
All members will need a Highland Young Musicians Tartan tie – the opportunity to buy one (£10) will be given when information regarding the concert weekend is sent out.