An Introduction...

If you played a string instrument at school and would like to start again, or if you are learning as an adult and would like to play in a group with people of similar standard, then YLSS is for you.

Yorkshire Late Starters Strings offers professional tuition of the highest quality and the chance to play string music of all styles and periods from the baroque and earlier to the present day. Repertoire is carefully chosen to suit the abilities of the group, and sectional rehearsals ensure that everyone gets the best possible guidance. Simplified parts are often available so that you can join in even if you are at an early stage of study on your instrument. The emphasis is very much on providing a constructive, stress-free, non-competitive learning experience.

New Learners group

From January 2010, we are very pleased to be starting a new category of YLSS member with a weekly New Learners Group. This will take the form of an hour's mixed session with Margaret Moseley, followed by a coffee break then an hour with the orchestra. Membership fees will be the same as for present members, payable on a termly basis.

These sessions are intended as an introduction to the orchestra for those who already play a little and would like to join YLSS but feel the need for some preliminary preparation. It may also be useful for less experienced current members who would appreciate tuition in a smaller group for a while after joining.

At the moment, funding does not permit us to offer sessions for complete beginners so we suggest that anyone who wishes to join us should book some lessons with a local teacher so that they have had an introduction to their instrument when they join our sessions. We have a useful information sheet available (click here to download your personal copy) with the contact details of some local teachers and tips on buying an instrument. If a potential member can play a little but does not have an instrument at the moment, we may be able to arrange for one to be available for a short time if they let us know in advance.