SIOW Music is working with Artswork to offer an exciting new role within the South Coast Music Partnership: a Breakthrough Traineeship as a Signposting & Youth Governance Worker!

Breakthrough is a 6‑month employability programme designed as a stepping stone to get young people aged 18–25 workplace experience and all-important employment skills. This role includes:

1. Signposting — sharing music-making opportunities, resources and training with schools and families through SCMP’s website and social media channels.

2. Youth Governance — working to set up new youth-led consultations and governance systems that make SCMP more inclusive, representative and responsive to the needs, interests and ambitions of children and young people.

3. Cultural Education Partnerships — helping children and young people find and move between cultural and creative opportunities and support.

This week marked the culmination of the Sound Out! Project, delivered by London Sinfonietta in partnership with SIOW music and Turner Sims.

Children from IOW and Southampton were entertained at Ryde Academy, Medina Theatre and Turner Sims by  Patrick Bailey, London Sinfonietta musicians and the Sound Out Young Ensemble which was made up of pupils from Carisbrooke College and Upper Shirley High School.

Pupils explored how to compose and create new music, led by presenter Patrick Bailey.

They listened to pieces by living composers, joined in with the performance and heard new work by young people from Southampton and the Isle of Wight.  Pupils from Ryde academy and Bassett Green heard their music created in workshops led by the composer come to life in the performances. The compositions were environmentally themed, continuing to embed SCMP's environmental focus. 

In an article for Southampton Forward, Kath Page shares her excitement for Tapestry Festival, SIOW Music working as an event partner and what this has involved:

“A great example of our work at Southampton and Isle of Wight Music is a project to showcase the talent of local children and young people at the new Tapestry Festival at Westquay on 19th and 20th July, and I’m really excited to be a part of this.

Three city-centre schools took part in vocal workshops to learn a set of songs about Southampton and the areas that Jane Austen would have lived in and frequented. One of the songs, about the many languages and cultures in Southampton, aligns particularly well with the world music focus of Tapestry.

The next phase of the project is a filming day for the participating schools with students from Solent University, who will create a video of the performances to share on screens at Tapestry in between acts, performances and workshops.

Performance can feel a bit daunting, but it’s so important because it helps young people grow – not just as musicians but as confident, expressive and connected individuals. Engaging in performance allows young individuals to express themselves creatively and authentically and this form of self-expression can be really empowering.

Tapestry is such an exciting event. As Event Partner, SIOW Music was involved from the start, helping Southampton Forward put the programme together and recommending local artists via our hub to perform and to run workshops at the festival.

Tapestry is free and open to everyone and it’s completely family friendly. We’re so lucky to have this new event in the heart of the city, attracting first-class musicians from across the UK as well as local acts. I also think it’s vital festivals like Tapestry are bringing a range of music to a wider audience, helping to foster inclusivity, cultural understanding and emotional connection across communities.

We have several wonderful projects coming up in addition to Tapestry, including London Sinfonietta workshops with secondary schools’ ensembles and concert performances for Key Stage 3 students at Turner Sims as well as English National Opera’s ‘Finish This’ end of year composition workshops and performances at Redbridge Community School. Southampton Youth Orchestra’s 60th anniversary concert on Saturday 12th July at 02 Guildhall Southampton also promises to be a great night.”

- Kath Page, Consortium Lead, South Coast Music Partnership, SIOW Music Manager, SCEP Chair.

The full article can be read here.

Tapestry festival

Free Festival at Westquay Esplanade

2-8pm on 19th & 20th July

Find Out More

Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub presented the Community Stage this year at Turner Sims family day.

We celebrated local talented young people with an exciting line up of performances from performers that take part in Rising Stars open mic nights at The Stage Door as well as performances from Groove Merchant and Groove Syndicate.

Below is an Instagram reel from Turner Sims sharing fun from the day!

“It’s a wrap for Family Day at the Turner Sims Summer Festival 2025.

What an amazing day at the University of Southampton! Music-making workshops, free music outside all day, face painting, families making memories in our beautiful gardens and (of course) in the building where all the musical magic happens!”

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A post shared by Turner Sims (@turner_sims)

We are delighted to announce that some of our talented young musicians and performers from The Stage Door: Rising Stars will be performing at this year’s Southampton Mela Festival on Sunday 13 July!

The Southampton Mela Festival is a long-standing summer highlight in Southampton’s events calendar celebrating Modern and Traditional Asian Culture. Enjoy two days of free music, arts and culture from our partners Art Asia.

The Southampton Mela Festival takes place on Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th July 2025, in Hoglands Park in the heart of Southampton. The festival will open at 12pm with performances starting at 12pm and the final act on the main stage running until to 9pm. Sunday will be a community day with activity from 12pm to 6pm.

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We're calling on young musicians across the UK to start their free musical adventure with NYO Inspire.

NYO Inspire is where teenage musicians find the free opportunities they need to grow, in music and in life. They accelerate as musicians with world-class tutoring and explore incredible music as part of the biggest orchestral music community they’ve ever seen.

Do you work with a musician who’s ready to turn their passion into progress?

Thank you for everything you do supporting young musicians to thrive. Please share this free opportunity with the musicians you work with!

We have created an e-flyer which you can share with your young people and parents. If you’d like printed posters or leaflets, just let us know and we’ll be happy to mail them to you.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from 13-18 year-old musicians who play orchestral instruments at a level equivalent to Grade 6 and above. There is no need for any official grades, but applicants should be passionate about music and determined to take their playing to the next level.

We prioritise musicians with the greatest need for a place. It’s primarily for teenage musicians who go to state school, who are looking for more opportunities to grow. Full eligibility available on our website.

NYO Inspire events fill up fast, musicians should complete applications by 31 July to have the best chance of being invited to a local activity, for the first event of the year. Applications officially close 30 September 2025.

It’s completely free! Travel bursaries also available.

Last Thursday we celebrated the hopes and views of young people in primary education on the Isle of Wight at “Our Day will Come”, a school and singing event led by Southampton and Isle of Wight Music (@siowmusic) and staged at Carisbrooke Castle with @englishheritage with Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership ‘Creative Island’.

Around 600 pupils from 15 schools took part in the preparation and performance of the event. The Cultural Education Partnership (Under @creativeisland_iw) were proud to help fund the commissioning of five original songs by local songwriters and songwriting workshops with the pupils.

These workshops produced work that reflected how the children feel about growing up here and making plans for the future. In addition, art workshops with @new.carnival enabled pupils to express these ideas through the production of their own colourfully illustrated flags, that went onto decorate the staging area at the Castle. They asked pupils:
1) What’s your favourite thing about the Island?
2) What’s your favourite thing about school?
3) What are your hopes for the future?

A big well done to all the young people who took part and for their loved ones who came along to support.

You can view Creative Islands instagram post (which includes a video from the event) below.

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A post shared by IWCEP (@iwcep_creativeisland)

Carla, MIX’Zine and Music Production Collective member, has created some new tunes in our Music Studio at Mayflower Studio.

Galaxies is an original song written and composed by Carla!

One Small Step is a remix by Carla, using English National Opera’s Finish This…

In our last MIX’Zine session, Carla used Canva to create album covers for both pieces of music, which she then shared to our MIX’Zine instagram page!

You can view the posts below and hear the music, as both posts have the music embedded!

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A post shared by Mix'Zine South (@mixzinesouth)

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A post shared by Mix'Zine South (@mixzinesouth)

TAPESTRY Festival 2025 is now only a few weeks away!

TAPESTRY Festival is a brand-new, free music festival taking place in the heart of Southampton on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July 2025. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the city’s medieval walls, the festival transforms Westquay Esplanade into a stage for outstanding live music, original commissions, and unforgettable performances.

Across two summer days, audiences can experience an inspiring mix of world-class artists and exceptional Southampton talent, brought together in a vibrant programme that draws on musical traditions from across the UK and beyond — echoing Southampton’s identity as a city shaped by movement, migration and exchange.

Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy food and drink from local vendors and explore everything the city centre has to offer – all just a short walk from Southampton Central Station.

Join us for TAPESTRY – a weekend of music that crosses borders, generations, and genres, right here in Southampton.

No tickets, no barriers – just great music.

KEY DETAILS:

📍Westquay Esplanade, Southampton
🗓Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 July 2025
🎟FREE ENTRY – No tickets required

TAPESTRY Festival

19 - 20 july 2025

A brand new FREE music festival of world-class artists and exceptional Southampton talent taking place in the heart of Southampton.

Find Out More

tapestry festival on instagram

Follow TAPESTRY Festival on Instagram to stay in the loop!

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

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Brassroots Extravaganza returns this year on Tuesday 1 July 2025!

This workshop is for you if:

• You enjoy making music with other young people

• You are a Brass instrument learner who can play 5 notes or more!

When is it:

Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 4.45 - 5.45pm

Where is it:

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Hill Lane, Southampton, SO15 5RL

This event is FREE to attend.

How to sign up:

Reserve your space before Wednesday 25 June by using the QR code or button below:

This event is supported by Friends of Southampton Youth Brass Band.

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Fully funded places on CoMA's (Contemporary Music for All) upcoming Summer School, for 18-25 year-olds facing financial barriers.

CoMA will be holding our biennial Summer School at Keele University, 17th-23rd August 2025. It will be a fantastic, experimental week of music-making with a wide variety of sessions delivered by expert tutors. It is open to instrumentalists, singers and composers of all abilities aged 18+.

Due to some recent funding from the Finzi Trust, we are delighted to be able to support a limited number of fully funded places for 18-25 year-olds who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to attend. This includes access to all activities plus food and accommodation for the full duration of the Summer School. We will also cover the costs of travel to and from the venue.

These places will be allocated to those who:

• can show that taking part in the Summer School would provide a significant opportunity: this will be based on the applicant's answers to questions in the application form about why they want to take part and what the impact would be 

• can confirm that the cost would have been a barrier and they would not have been able to take part without funding. For example: applicants are on a low or unreliable income, are unwaged, or are in receipt of benefits etc. We will not ask for evidence, we just ask people to be honest.

If this is something you would be interested in, please contact Francesca at francesca@coma.org by Monday 30th June for more information on how to apply.

As we are only able to offer a small number of funded places we regret we may not be able to support everyone who applies. We kindly ask for your understanding.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR ALL: SUMMER SCHOOL

Sunday 17th – Saturday 23rd August 2025.

FIND OUT MORE

fully funded places

Please contact francesca@coma.org

by Friday 20th June for more information on how to apply.

Contact Francesca

Our Summer Concerts season is underway, with performances from our Ensembles & Young Musicians!

Find full details and how to book for each event through the link to the listing on our events page.

🎷Studio Band: Studio Band at Eastleigh Concorde Club — Southampton and IOW Music

Monday 23 June 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

The Concorde, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9HQ.

Studio Band (fka Jazz Workshop) is a 10 piece Jazz Band playing a selection of modern & classic jazz tunes!

They will be joined by special guests from Southampton University: Nomad

🎺 Southampton Youth Brass Band: Southampton Youth Brass Band at St Cross Fete — Southampton and IOW Music

Saturday 28 June, 1:30 pm 5:00 pm

The Hospital of St Cross, Saint Cross Back Street, Winchester, England, SO23.

SYBB will be performing 3 sets between 1.30-5pm.

Funds raised are for the church at St Cross, Winchester Bereavement Group, Winchester Young Carers and Winchester Hospice.

🎺 Southampton Youth Strings & Elgar: Southampton Youth Strings & Elgar: Summer Concert! — Southampton and IOW Music

Monday 30 June 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cantell School, Violet Rd, Southampton, SO16 3GJ

Free entry. There will be a retiring collection at the end of the concert.

🌟 Rising Stars Open Mic Night: Rising Stars Open Mic Night @ The Stage Door — Southampton and IOW Music

Tuesday 1 July 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at The Stage Door, 78 West Marlands Road, SO14 7FW.

In partnership with The Stage Door and J Fashole-Luke.

Featuring Local Young Musicians.

🥁 Airplay & Boom!: Boom & Airplay joint concert at Cantell — Southampton and IOW Music

Thursday 3 July 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Cantell School, Violet Rd, Southampton, SO16 3GJ.

There will be a retiring collection at the end of the concert.

🎷 Southampton Youth Brass Band: SYBB live at Romsey Bandstand! — Southampton and IOW Music

Saturday 5 July 2025, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Romsey Bandstand, The Meads 31, Romsey SO51 8HB

🎻 Southampton Youth Wind Band: SYWB live at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church — Southampton and IOW Music

Saturday 5 July 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm.

Chandlers Ford Methodist Church, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2GJ.

Southampton Youth Wind Band will be performing at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church in an end of year celebration, including band awards and recognition of 2025 leavers!

🎺 Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia: SYCS live at Royal Victoria Country Park — Southampton and IOW Music

Sunday 6 July 2025, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Royal Victoria County Park, Netley Abbey Hill, Southampton, SO31 5GA.

Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia will be performing at Royal Victoria Country Park.

🎻 Pulse8 Summer Concert: Pulse8 Concert — Southampton and IOW Music

Monday 7 July 2025, 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm.

Cantell School, Violet Road, Southampton, SO16 3GJ.

🎻 Southampton Youth Orchestra: SYO 60th Anniversary Concert at O2 Guildhall Southampton! — Southampton and IOW Music

Saturday 12 July 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

O2 Guildhall Southampton, West Marlands Road, Southampton, SO14 7LP.

Southampton Youth Orchestra present a 60th anniversary concert: Carmina Burana at O2 Guildhall Southampton, performing with local massed choirs.

Our young Award holder & Pulse8 musician Angela was featured on BBC Solent Radio!

BBC Solent visited Beechwood Junior School where they spoke to our award holder Angela about classical music, sharing some of her favourite musical artists, talking about her learning of Grade 4 for Flute and playing in Pulse8.

The audio is embedded below so you can listen to the interview!

Pulse8

Find out more about Pulse8, our Intermediate Windband for Grades 3–5.

Find Out More

PULSE8 SUMMER CONCERT

Find out more about Pulse8’s upcoming summer concert!

Find Out More

Now is your chance to take part in Orchestral Weekends or Orchestral Weeks in 2026!

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• Do you play an orchestral instrument?

• On 31st August 2025 will you be in the age range of 8-13?

You could audition to take part in Orchestral Weekends or Orchestral Weeks in 2026. Show us what you’ve got - we can’t wait to hear you!

How to apply for an audition:

Scroll down to the large buttons containing ‘Key Info: 2025-2026 Auditions’ & ‘Auditions Handbook’ towards the bottom of this news piece for further information on how to apply.

The ‘Key Info’ document contains some films you can watch to learn more about what to expect in the auditions.

Auditions will be open from Wednesday 14th May to the deadline at 9am on Thursday 31st July 2025. Find out more at www.nco.org.uk

At NCO, our purpose is to champion the life-changing power of music. This year almost 2000 children aged 8-14 connected with National Children’s Orchestras through:

• auditioned Orchestral Weeks and Weekends,

• non-auditioned Orchestral Days

• activities with schools, music education hubs and other partner organisations

• free tickets to concerts

We are interested to hear from all young musicians, whatever their background, schooling or circumstances. We are particularly keen to increase representation in our orchestras from groups currently under-represented in classical music and to increase the number of children from state schools.

All auditioned NCO activities include world class in-person orchestral coaching with incredible tutors, guest artists and conductors, as well as access to our online activities and resources. We welcome auditions for NCO 2026 from young musicians who:

• are aged 8-13 years old (as of 31st August 2025)

• play an orchestral instrument to the appropriate standard and

• are British citizens or are living/studying in the UK

Did you know?

• Children do not need to have taken any formal grade exams to be part of NCO, because offers of membership are based on their playing and musicality in their audition video.

• It is free to audition, and auditions are submitted via a pre-recorded video.

• If a family needs help with any stage of the auditions process, our friendly team are here to help and guide in whatever way we can.

Find out more about NCO and how to audition on our website: https://www.nco.org.uk/join-in/auditioning-for-nco or email auditions@nco.org.uk with any questions you may have. If you would like to know more about our expanding range of free, non-auditioned activities (partnerships with Music Hubs, Schools concerts and open access projects) please get in touch with me directly.

Play together. Be unstoppable.

Auditions Handbook

Full details on what it means to be part of NCO, the auditions process and how to apply!

View / Download

Key Info: 2025-2026 Auditions

Key info on auditioning for NCO.

VIEW / Download

The South Coast Music Partnership (SCMP) is delighted to announce the appointment of new Lead Schools in each of its four component areas.

Across England, the 43 music hubs nationally will be appointing lead schools, forming a new national network of music excellence in schools.  

The appointments follow a comprehensive application and school visit process, during which the SCMP Leadership Team was hugely inspired and impressed by the breadth, diversity, and quality of music-making as well as the enthusiasm from pupils and the support from staff and senior leaders.

The appointed lead schools are as follows:

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP): Baden-Powell & St Peter Junior, Longfleet CE Primary (joint leads - primary); The Bourne Academy and Twynham School (joint leads - secondary) and Linwood School (special)

• Isle of Wight: Lionheart School (special/AP) and Carisbrooke College (secondary)

• Portsmouth: Redwood Park Academy, (special) St Paul’s Catholic (Primary) and St Edmund’s Catholic School (secondary)

• Southampton: Kanes Hill Primary and Mount Pleasant Junior (joint leads - primary); Redbridge Community School and Upper Shirley High School (joint leads - secondary) and Great Oaks School (special).

The Lead Schools will take an active role in mentoring and supporting schools, working together with the music hub to shape, support and strengthen a regional programme of high-quality music education.

The exceptional strength and commitment to music education evident throughout the region led to the decision to establish a wider Network of Excellence, which will bring together the appointed Lead Schools and other outstanding schools with particular specialisms, across the partnership.

SCMP extends sincere thanks to all schools that submitted applications and welcomed Leadership Team visits. The process highlighted the remarkable energy, creativity, and dedication of music educators across the South Coast. 

South Coast Music Partnership (SCMP) is the Music Hub for: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP); Isle of Wight; Portsmouth; Southampton.

SCMP are a consortium led by three organisations: Portsmouth Music Hub; Soundstorm Music Education Agency ; Southampton & Isle of Wight Music

Together we lead a strong network of diverse local partnerships to deliver the National Plan for Music Education and provide high-quality music education for all children and young people across our region.

Our work on inclusion is underpinned by an understanding that:

Inclusion is a journey not a destination!

Our understanding of, and our ability to bring about, musical inclusion is always developing. This strategy builds upon the Hub’s needs analysis, and links to our other strategies, plans and policies.

You can read our Inclusion Strategy in full, find links to further resources and training and get in touch about working together via our website.

2025 - 2030 Inclusion Strategy

Download our Inclusion Strategy in full.

DOWNLOAD

2025 - 2030 Inclusion Strategy

Find out more via our website and access links to further resources and training around Inclusion.

Find Out More

Shanties at the Shipwreck Centre, Narration in the Nave, and Cavorting at the Coach House!

The Classic Boat Museum in Cowes and the Shipwreck and Maritime Centre in Arreton joined forces to present ‘Shanties and Hornpipes’ — part of the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary celebrations. But the partnerships didn’t stop there. Four local primary schools — Cowes, Holy Cross, Arreton, and Hunnyhill — all contributed to the more than 100 pupils who took part.

So what do you do with over 100 children? Once again, the answer was partnership:

• Miko Lisiak from the Isle of Wight Music Hub led the children in learning two new sea shanties…Down the Solent and The curse of Stokes Bay

• Michelle Hainsworth from Community Dance IOW taught them how to dance the hornpipe and guided them in creating their own dance based on the theme “How to Build a Boat.”

• Sue Bailey from But That’s Another Story brought lifeboat rescues to life through dramatic storytelling, including the moving tale of Joey Attrill’s heroic walk across the Downs to help rescue the crew of the Sirenia.

The partnerships continued into the evening performance, attended by over 40 parents. The celebrations extended from St George’s Church in Arreton to the Coach House Church Hall and finally to the White Lion pub, where landlords Julie and Ian provided food and drinks. The evening concluded with a lively performance by the famous Shalfleet Shanty Singers, whose rousing renditions of traditional sea shanties brought a joyful close to two exhausting but unforgettable days.

- Ian Vallance - Education officer

This week’s 10 Minute Sign & Sing teaches you the makaton signs, body percussion and lyrics to an original song written by our fantastic music hub composer Jo Downs.

‘The Wheel of The Year’ is about folklore and the different traditions within the British Isles that happen throughout each year and with the changing seasons, including May Pole Dancing and Equionox. It was written for the Mardi Gras, so it fuses folk music with some Latin rhythms!

You can find this 10 Minute Sign and Sing in our SongBank, along with many other songs and 5 Minute Rhythm & Rhyme videos, via the button below and on our youtube channel!

The Wheel of The Year

Learn the Makaton signs and lyrics with Vicky and the body percussion with Tom!

10 Minute Sign & sing

First Encounters is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s touring production, designed to be the perfect introduction to Shakespeare.

Touring to schools and venues across the UK, it is aimed at 7- to 13-year-olds, but is also suitable for parents and members of the community who might be encountering Shakespeare for the first time.

The focus is very much on the storytelling, to bring the audience along with the narrative.

This 80-minute version of King Lear uses an edited version of the original play to create the perfect introduction for young people.

A king announces that he will divide his kingdom between his three daughters according to how much they love him. Lear thinks he will live out his old age with all of the comforts of kingship, and none of the responsibility. But the eldest two daughters, Goneril & Regan, have other ideas in mind – and he has given away all power to stop them. His vanity has devastating consequences for family, nation and climate.

First Encounters: King Lear makes Shakespeare’s play about family, power and betrayal relevant for a new generation of theatregoers.

When is it: 4 November 2025 at 1.30pm

Where is it: Mayflower Studios

How to attend: Tickets are £10. Schools can sign up to attend by contacing Mayflower Studios via this form.

The tour of First Encounters: King Lear is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, which makes it possible for the RSC to expand its tour to work in partnership with more places across England.

Art Asia Trust is proud to be presenting an extraordinary evening of Sufi Qawwali music featuring the internationally acclaimed Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group. This special performance, Songs of the Mystics, will take place at Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton on Saturday 31st May, 2025, at 7:30pm. 

We invite you to join us for this extraordinary evening. Your ticket purchase will directly support our mission to bring South Asian artistic experiences to our community. Tickets are just £18.50 (discounts available). 

Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group are renowned worldwide for their soul-stirring performances of Qawwali, the devotional music of Sufism that dates back over 700 years. As direct descendants of the original Qawwali court singers from the 13th century, the group brings unparalleled authenticity and spiritual depth to their performances.

The evening promises to be a transcendent journey through the mystical traditions of Sufism, featuring powerful vocals, hypnotic rhythms, and the timeless poetry of Sufi saints.

We are honoured to bring Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group to Southampton as part of our ongoing commitment to showcasing the finest traditional and contemporary South Asian performing arts. Qawwali music has a unique power to cross cultural and linguistic boundaries, speaking directly to the heart and soul. In today's divided world, these songs of love, devotion, and unity carry a message that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. 

You will hear interviews with the group on Unity 101, Awaaz FM and BBC Radio coming up over the next few weeks. You can see a previous performance on YouTube here. 

The performance is presented by Art Asia & SAMA in partnership with SAYarts.

You can book via the button below.

Songs of the Mystics

by Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group.

Friday 31 May 2025 at Turner Sims, 7:30pm.

Tickets are just £18.50 (discounts available). 

Get Tickets