Our Starters Ensembles are the first stop for pupils wishing to play in an ensemble, catering for all orchestral instruments. The ensembles rehearse for an hour per week during term time at 3 locations across Cardiff.
The sessions include musical warm-ups and games before splitting into instrumental sections to rehearse. Pupils will also have the opportunity to play together as a larger ensemble when they are more familiar with the music.
Pupils will learn music written especially for the ensembles, arranged to suit the pupils’ levels of playing. Typically, the Starters ensembles perform 3 concerts a year at various venues.
Each section of players is supported by a specialist member of staff who can advise and support pupils during rehearsals. These tutors are our qualified teaching staff and tutors who have significant experience working with pupils of all ages and standards.
Pupils can join the ensemble from the very beginning of their musical journey, and only need to be able to play the first few notes on their instruments. Pupils will stay in the ensemble until they have passed their grade 1 exam.
See below for the Starters’ full timetable for 2025-26.
There are 32 rehearsals and 3 concerts.
Starters Orchestra rehearses at Whitchurch High School Lower Site (CF14 1WL) on a Thursday from 4:15 to 5:15pm.
Starters Ensemble 1 rehearses at St Bernadette’s Primary School (CF23 7JB) on a Monday from 4 to 5pm.
Starters Ensemble 2 rehearses at Cardiff High School (CF23 6WG) on a Saturday morning from 11am to 12pm.
Conductor Biography
Alison Howells: Musical Director
Alison was born in Edinburgh, moving to Wales to study with Stephen Broadbent at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), where she achieved a BA Performing Arts in music and an Advanced Certificate in performing. At RWCMD, Alison was principal viola in both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and played percussion the Wind Band.
Since leaving the college, Alison has worked as a peripatetic tutor, Creative Lead for Strings and now holds the position of Business Development Lead for CF Music Education. She teaches viola and violin from beginner to post grade 8 standard. Alison also works with our Foundation and Youth Orchestras. When time allows, Alison works as a freelance viola player in various ensembles. In her spare time, Alison enjoys skiing and cycling.
Kat Clegg: Musical Director
Kat studied clarinet at University of Wales in Bangor before moving to Cardiff to study for a masters in music at RWCMD with Robert Plane.
Kat is the Creative Lead for Woodwind for CF Music Education, working with pupils of all ages and abilities on all woodwind instruments. As well as woodwind, Kat also teaches cello, leads our Intermediate Wind Band and is a tutor with our Foundation Orchestra.
Kat plays saxophone in a soul band based in Cardiff and enjoys playing woodwind for shows when she has time. Kat is a Welsh speaker and also works with early years pupils and has a specific interest in ALN and child development, specifically through music.
