Minster Minstrels

Minster Minstrels is a unique youth ensemble run by York Music Education CIC in partnership with the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM).

This exciting group explores early and historical music through creative ensemble playing — but unlike traditional early music groups, our young players perform on contemporary instruments. From strings and recorders to wind, all are welcome.

What Makes It Special?

  • Inclusive & Accessible: No need for period instruments – we use what students already play.

  • Creative Focus: Sessions include improvisation, arranging, and developing listening skills.

  • Cultural Reach: Performances at the York Early Music Festival, Cliffe Castle, and York Music Centre give students real-world performance experience.

  • International Links: In 2024, students took part in a workshop with an Iranian early music ensemble hosted by NCEM.

Who’s It For?

Minster Minstrels is open to young musicians aged 8–16 who are confident on their instrument and keen to try something different.

There are currently two groups:

  • Intermediate Minster Minstrels (ages 8–12)

  • Senior Minster Minstrels (ages 12–16)

When & Where

  • Weekly rehearsals during term time

  • Saturday mornings at York Music Centre, Millthorpe School

  • Occasional weekend workshops at NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate

Our Partnership with NCEM

York Music Education is proud to partner with the National Centre for Early Music to run this project. NCEM supports the ensemble by hosting workshops, offering performance platforms, and helping to raise awareness of this unique musical opportunity.

Join Us!

We’re currently expanding the group and would love to hear from new players. If you’re interested in joining Minster Minstrels, please contact us for more information or to arrange a taster session.

Past Highlights

  • York Early Music Festival 2025

  • Cliffe Castle Performance – March 2025

  • Iranian Early Music Workshop at NCEM – September 2024

  • Termly concerts at York Music Centre

  • Project Highlight: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (2017)

    In 2017, Minster Minstrels worked in partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) as part of the York Early Music Festival.

    Young musicians from Minster Minstrels took part in a full-day rehearsal and workshop at NCEM with members of OAE’s celebrated Oboe Band, preparing both Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and a specially commissioned piece, Mosaic for Minstrels.

    The collaboration culminated in a sell-out performance on Sunday 9 July 2017, with Minster Minstrels performing live alongside OAE as part of the main festival programme. It was a remarkable experience that raised the group’s profile, inspired our young players, and demonstrated the impact of high-quality partnership working.

    We’re actively looking to develop new collaborations of this kind to continue raising awareness of Minster Minstrels and provide more life-changing musical opportunities for young people in York.

  • Project Highlight: Bassoon Project at St Aelred’s (2017)

    In 2017, York Music Education partnered with NCEM, York Music Hub, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on a specialist Bassoon Project aimed at Year 5 pupils from St Aelred’s Primary School.

    Eight children were offered:

    • Free loan of short-reach bassoons

    • Weekly group lessons (2 x 30-minute sessions per week)

    • A weekend workshop with OAE musicians

    • The opportunity to perform in a specially commissioned piece at the York Early Music Festival on 9 July 2017

    The project was designed to introduce an under-represented instrument in an exciting, accessible way. For those who wanted to continue beyond the project, York Music Education offered follow-on tuition through the expanding programme at York Music Centre.

    This initiative demonstrated the impact of cross-organisational collaboration in breaking down barriers to musical participation and nurturing the next generation of players of rarer instruments.

  • Project Highlight: Watercycle with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (2014)

    In 2014, Minster Minstrels played a central role in Watercycle — a nationwide project led by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) and coordinated locally by the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM).

    The project explored the water cycle through music and poetry, combining environmental education with musical creativity. Working alongside other York-based community groups, including Belfrey Singers, York College students, and Castaway’s Sloop Group, Minster Minstrels contributed to the creation of a new piece: Concerto for York.

    Key features included:

    • Composition workshops and digital soundscape creation based on John Wedgwood Clarke’s poem Ouse

    • Ensemble rehearsals with OAE musicians

    • Collaborative performance of the Watercycle Song and newly created works

    • A public concert at NCEM on 13 December 2014, with a photographer and film crew capturing the event

    • A follow-up exchange event on 21 March 2015 for the European Day of Early Music, featuring guest ensemble Gutted from Warwickshire and YMC’s Girl’s Chamber Choir

    Minster Minstrels rehearsed and performed repertoire ranging from Telemann to contemporary compositions, all while building cross-ensemble connections and contributing to a national artistic campaign in support of WaterAid.

    This project exemplifies the value of meaningful partnerships — creatively, socially, and educationally — and remains a landmark in the ensemble’s history.

Supported Places

We offer bursary places to ensure cost is never a barrier. One in every ten students currently receives financial support to participate.

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