CMA Friday Centre Newsletter September 2023
Rehearsals at Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Fridays 6 – 8.30pm
September 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8*
*December 8th is the concert date. Rehearsals from 5.30pm. Concert at 8pm
Please note, there will be no rehearsals on October 20th, 27th or November 3rd, avoiding various two-week half terms for some schools.
CMA Friday Centre Schedule
5-6pm Optional Chamber Music Ensembles (see below)
6pm Register in the foyer for Croydon Youth Winds (CYW) or Croydon Youth Strings (CYS)
7.25pm After break, students switch to either Croydon Youth Concert Orchestra (CYCO) or Croydon Youth Orchestra (CYO). Ensure you know which as they sometimes perform separately!
8.30pm Collect students from the side doors to the Visitor Car Park
Attendance: We expect students to attend rehearsals every week and to perform in all concerts. The standard of the ensembles and performances suffers when this doesn’t happen. Please could parents/carers email the CMA office in advance if a student needs to miss a session.
NEW! Chamber Music, 5-6pm
For students who would like to form their own chamber music ensembles. You will rehearse yourselves, with light-touch coaching from CMA staff who will float between groups. Groups may wish to perform in the end of term concert. We have a limited number of rooms in the school at this time so this will be a first come first serve extension to our current Friday centre offer. Emails requests from Parent/Carer addresses only please, to comply with our safeguarding policy. Only turn up at 5pm if your group has been approved!
NEW! CMA Centres Website-Noticeboard
Click here for updates - News and Events
Too many emails? Missed an email? Forgotten to pass on details to your child?
Don’t fret! From now on, all important CMA Centre updates, CMA events, and links signposting students to external opportunities, will be posted on our News & Events page. Look now to find dates for the year (downloadable) and information, tour proposal letter, and October half term Composition Workshop.
NEW! Composition Workshop – October Half term (23, 24 Oct.)
Aimed at students working towards GCSE, A level, or equivalent, Music exams.
Recording session on Friday 3rd November to capture completed pieces.
One piece will be selected for the Fairfield Halls performance on 23rd March.
For further information and application form, follow this link
Key Future Dates
4th December (morning) CSMA Festive Celebration Concert at Fairfield Halls
Some members of CYO will be invited to perform in the staff orchestra for this fun concert.
8th, 9th & 10th March Peter Stark Weekend for Youth Orchestra only
8th March Oasis Academy rehearsal extended to 9pm finish
9th March 1-4pm & 5-8pm @ Trinity School
10th March 10am – 1pm, pizza lunch then 3pm concert @ Trinity School
Saturday 23rd March Concert Orchestra (plus invited CYO players) 2-5pm rehearsal & 7pm concert @Fairfield Halls. In collaboration with Young Croydon Composers and Drum the Bass
Tuesday 9th July Rehearsals and Showcase @ Fairfield Halls
Saturday 13th July Tour rehearsals in the morning
18th to 22nd July Germany Tour
Germany tour to Bonn and the Rhine-Mosel region, July 2024
Please see separate letter with proposed itinerary and costs. Expression of interest form
Kind regards,
Jon Regan, CMA Friday Centre