Performing Arts Centres provide a wide variety of performance opportunities and experiences for all musicians, actors and dancers in York and the surrounding areas.

School age musicians will find it a valuable addition to the training they receive at school, but players of any age will find that they benefit.

York's three Performing Arts Centres

Performing Arts Centre 1 - Canon Lee School

Performing Arts Centre 1 is held at Canon Lee School on Saturday mornings, 9.30am to 1.00pm during term time.

• Training Band: wind and percussion players from beginner to grade 3
• York Area Schools Big Band: wind and percussion players grade 4 and above
• York Area Schools Senior Concert Band: wind and percussion players grade 5 and upward
• First Strings: for beginner string players up to grade 3
• York Area Schools’ Symphony Orchestra: for players grade 5 and above
• Guitar group: all abilities 
• Junior choir: ages 8 and above
• Early Music Ensemble
• First Moves dance group: for ages 6 to 8
• Move it! dance group: for ages 8 to 12
• Move on! Advanced dance group: for ages 11 to 16
• Break dance groups for ages 8 to 19
• Act 1 drama group: for school yearss 3/4
• Act 2 drama group: for school years 5/6
• Act 3 drama group: for school years 7/9 
• Overture 1 early years music activities for ages 3/4
• Overture 2 early years music activities for ages 5/7

Performing Arts Centre 2 - Millthorpe School

Performing Arts Centre 2 is at Millthorpe School on Wednesday evenings, 4.30pm to 6.30pm during term time.

• African drumming groups: beginners and intermediate  
• Rock bands
• Funk ensemble
• York Youth Brass Ensemble: for beginner to grade 3 brass players
• York Youth Woodwind Ensemble: for beginner to grade 3 woodwind players
• York Youth Jazz Band: grade 3 and above
• Theory tuition: all grades
• Drama@pac2 for years 7/11

Performing Arts Centre 3 - Archbisop Holgates School

Performing Arts Centre 3 is at Archbishop Holgates School on Friday  evenings, 4.30pm to 6.30pm during term time.

• Soul band: for guitars, woodwind, brass, percussion and singers. Grade 5 and above
• Choir: for all ages and abilities
• Rock bands

Enrolling

Prices are per term for the year 2007/2008. You will be billed during each term. You can pay in cash at Mill House reception or by cheque made payable to City of York Council.

New members starting midway through a term will be charged accordingly.

You can try your first session for free.

Performing Arts Centre 1

Saturday full session - £43 per term
Saturday part sessions (starting at 9.30am or 11.10am) - £35 per term

Return completed forms to: Arts and Culture, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD.

Performing Arts Centre 2

Wednesday full session - £35 per term
Wednesday part session (starting at 4.30pm or 5.30pm) - £26 per term

Return completed forms to: Arts and Culture, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD.

Performing Arts Centre 3

Friday full session - £35 per term
Friday part session (starting at 4.30pm or 5.30pm) - £26 per term

Return completed forms to: Arts and Culture, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD.

Discounts

Families receiving Income Support/ Jobseekers Allowance - no charge.
Families receiving Working Tax Credit (with a household income of less than £15,050 per annum) - 50% discount.

Membership of both centres for full sessions is available for a flat fee of £60.

Musical instruments

If your child attends a music ensemble they will need their own instrument. See musical instruments for ways you can hire or purchase instruments at a discount.