On the hottest day ever recorded in the UK, Southampton Music Hub rock bands braved the sun and soaring temperatures to entertain the students at Bitterne Park Secondary at their "Big Picnic". With a stage and a very enthusiastic young crowd the event had a real festival feel to it. Both bands rose to the occasion and as always gave fantastic performances.

In rather cooler temperatures three days later the Southampton Youth Orchestra gave their "Uprising" Concert. Performing as always to a very high standard they received a standing ovation after a very moving performance of Shostakovich's 5th Symphony which brought some members of the audience to tears.

For the final event of the year 35 young musicians from Southampton and beyond came together for the Supersonic Summer School in partnership with C. Working over three days the young players put together a wonderful programme of classical and popular favourites. These players had never played together before and for many this was their first experience of playing in an orchestra.

Southampton Music Hub's summer concert season started on Friday 24 June with the Lower Tier Concert which included performances from Brassroots, Acorn Strings, Los Twangolitos, Twango, Bella and Soton Voce, and Boom. This performance gave some of the city's younger performers the opportunity to showcase their incredible talents. This was a wonderful varied evening of music making from the beautiful soothing sounds of the guitar groups through to the energy and drama of the percussion group Boom.

"It has been a wonderful concert with such a variety of music. This concert provides a great experience for our younger groups to to perform to a wider audience" — Zoe Hunting

Monday 27 June saw the start of the hub's week long residency at MAST. Elgar Strings started the week off with a varied programme of dance music as well as some familiar repertoire.

"I was so impressed with how the players of Elgar strings coped with playing at such a prestigious venue. Many would have been completely fazed but not Elgar who buckled down and played to the best of their ability with great character and enthusiasm. I am so proud of what they have achieved this year." — Zoe Hunting, Director, Elgar Strings

The second night at MAST brought Airplay and Fusion Brass together - or as they are now known - Fab Band. With lots of numbers from shows and musicals the groups soon had the audience tapping their feet along to the numbers. This was concert saw the first presentation of the Steph Watkins Cup. Steph started Airplay over 15 years ago. Under her leadership the band got the reputation of performing to a level well beyond their years. Unfortunately Steph lost her battle with battle last year and we were delighted her family have presented Airplay with this cup in Steph's memory which will be awarded annually to an outstanding player from the band. We were very touched that Steph's husband and family were able to join us for this performance.

Wednesday evening at MAST brough a complete change of mood with the hubs two rock bands, Groove Foundation and Groove Merchant performing some rock classics. They were also joined by the Guitar ensemble from Upper Shirley High. Many players in this latter group only started learning the guitar in September it was incredible to hear what they have achieved in such a short time. We were also delighted to welcome Carol Cunio to this concert. A former mayor of Southampton Carol presented the Music Services with a cup to be awarded annually to an outstanding young musician. This year's very worthy recipient was the drummer from Groove Foundation, Joseph Orford.

The week-long performance residency at MAST continued on Thursday 30 July with a stunning concert given by Southampton Youth Wind Band conducted by John Hanchett. John only took the band over in January following the retirement of David and Elaine King after 37 years at the helm. It was delightful to the hear the band still performing to an incredibly high level and displaying a range of techniques through a varied programme of traditional wind band music to more popular well known numbers. Part of the programme included a performance of the incredibly complex Jubilee Overture as performed by the Royal Marines Band at the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. With lots of plans for the future - including a tour to Montacatini in July 2023 this is a band going places.

Friday evening was a very different event with Hub partners, FolkActive's Youth Ensemble - FAYE - taking to the stage. Players took the audience through a range of traditional tunes from reels to airs. Some were played by the whole band others by solo instrumentalists. Throughout the group performed from memory. It is quite an undertaking for such young players to perform a whole concert without a single note written down. Audience participation was encouraged by one of the group's leaders Tom Gregory, who literally got everyone dancing in the aisles.

Southampton Youth Brass Band performed at MAST Mayflower theatre in Studio 2 on Saturday 2 July as their final concert of this academic year. Under the direction of new band director Andy Wareham, they played a fantastically wide ranging programme including everything from Shostakovich to classic brass band repertoire with plenty of entertaining pieces and a wonderfully enthusiastic audience of friends and family. Whilst the MAST residency came to an end on 2 July, Southampton Music Hub Concerts continued.

Monday 4 July saw the guitar groups Los Twangolitos and Twango give a "picnic" concert in the courtyard at Cantell School. It had been hoped this would be a relaxing evening of musical entertainment on a warm and sunny evening, The music certainly did it's job with beautiful performances from the groups and individuals throughout. Alas the weather didn't oblige with audience members huddled in cardigans and jackets to keep warm against a strong breeze. Not for one note though did this effect the quality of playing.

Tuesday 5 July saw Fusion Brass give a joint concert with Ocean Brass. With both groups affected by absences due to Covid the show went on. Fusion Brass players were clearly excited and inspired by hearing local amateur band Ocean Brass in concert. Most importantly they were able to hold their own in a joint concert of this quality receiving rapturous applause from the audience and fellow brass players alike.

At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience. 

The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.

Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.

So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.

Groove Foundation

Over the past year, Groove Foundation have been recording regular videos from their living rooms and bedrooms at home, to share on the music hub YouTube channel. 

Elliot, the lead singer, explains:

“It was a bit weird at first, because you don’t know what it will sound like until it all comes together. When I’m recording, it’s just me singing and I have no idea how it will sound. Knowing my performance was being recorded, I would work hard to get everything sounding just right. I would kick mum and dad out to the garden to make sure the sound recording was really clear, and keep retaking until I got it right.”

“Elliot really took the videos on as a personal mission” adds Groove Foundation band leader Aidan, who also edited together the band’s video performances.

The virtual performances had an unexpected benefit too, as Elliot explains:

“My friends often can’t come to our live performances, but they have been able to watch the videos all year. We get excited for the premier, and then it’s really fun to see it all sounding great together.”

Over the past year, Elliot has also been able to have music lessons to help develop her singing, thanks to funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund. Elliot tells us what a difference this has made:

“It’s been so cool to have singing lessons to help me improve. Being in Groove Foundation is what got me into singing properly, and now I’m getting better all the time.”

Last week, Groove Foundation returned to a real life stage, after over a year away, with an eight song set at The Point. Elliot tells us what it was like:

“It was really fun to be back. It’s the best feeling. The whole band is there, you can hear everyone again, and you turn around and can see everyone else enjoying themselves. I had to remember to look after my voice though. You can’t take a break like you can when you’re recording at home!”

And it’s not just on stage that being back with the band makes a huge difference. Elliot again:

“It’s so fun to see everyone, deciding the set list, making choices as a band, and helping each other out again. We’re there to support each other after the show too, to share the excitement, and chat about how things went.”

— Elliot, Singer

Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub adds:

“Elliot, and her bandmates in Groove Foundation are inspirational examples of the resilience so many young musicians have shown this year. We know how hard it has been, missing out on so many of the shared experiences that make music-making so enjoyable, but they have done an exceptional job keeping things going online, with their impressive video performances, and then returning to the stage this summer.”

It’s not just Groove Foundation that have been back on stage. This summer, music hub bands, orchestras and other groups have been rehearsing and performing together again. If you’d like to join a music group, then find out more on our ensembles page.

This week’s conversation is with two rock bands, Groove Foundation and Groove Merchant who have been producing monthly virtual performances since last summer.  Here we talk to the director of both bands Aidan Hampson, one of the vocal coaches Hannah Castleman, and some of players from both bands. 

Please take time to listen to some of the bands virtual performances which can be found on the events page of the Southampton Music Hub website - https://www.southamptonmusichub.org/events/

Both Groove bands have been producing monthly virtual performances.  Why did you decide to work towards regular virtual performances?
AH - We decided to see the lockdown and online rehearsals as a new challenge. How can we still make music together without being in the same room? We’ve all been really pleased with how the videos have turned out, but we’ve also been rehearsing new repertoire for when we can all get back together.

What have you enjoyed about working towards virtual performances?

Player A - It's good to see an output from all the rehearsing.

Player B - I have enjoyed releasing the music online for people to be able to watch and still enjoy the music we produce. As well as that, it is nice to still be able to participate in Groove Merchant even if we are unable to practice in person. 

What has impressed you most about the bands whilst they have been working online?
AH - The resilience of the musicians has been inspiring. There’s nothing quite like making music in the same room as each other, and when this was no longer possible the bands seamlessly moved into online rehearsals - it became the new normal very quickly and demonstrated their tenacity towards producing music whatever the odds.

HC - I have been really impressed by the students' dedication to learning the songs and their ability to work together even though they are working remotely. They communicate well and come up with clear and exciting ideas for harmonies. They respond well to the challenge of working on singing together, even though they won't be singing together until the video is edited! 

What have the challenges been running online rehearsals?
AH - Not being able to play at the same time without muting the students has been frustrating. With such small groups, there is a different type of relationship between the players as opposed to the larger ensembles. It has been challenging to keep that going, but I’m sure that the videos show that the students managed it brilliantly.

HC - It's really tricky working on things like harmonies, articulation and dynamics when it's not always clear over camera/microphone, or when students can't actually perform together in these situations. However, the students are really happy to try things out and have adapted well to working differently. I'm really looking forward to them being able to perform again - I think they will be so surprised to hear what they have achieved and how it really will translate very well into a live performance! 

Player C - Obviously we can’t actually run through our songs because of the delay so I’ve missed being able to feel the sound from the drums and other guitars and have that live music atmosphere 

In the absence of being able to meet in person, what have you enjoyed about online rehearsals?

Player C - I have enjoyed that we have been able to get through a lot more songs in a shorter period of time as we are now going towards much more challenging and fun songs for the band 

Player D - Being able to stay home and rehearse without travelling to the rehearsal room.

What have the challenges been producing regular virtual performances for the bands.
AH - This has been the first time that the students have had to work with click tracks so closely. They have also had to consider video angles and microphone placement. It’s been a steep learning curve but to watch the videos become as good as they are has made it all worthwhile!

What skills do you feel you have developed through online rehearsals?

Player A – I’ve practised guitar even more while in lockdowns as there are limited opportunities for going outside and it gives a focus away from school work.

Player E - Recording abilities

Player D - Vocalising your problems and explaining clearly any difficulties.

Join Groove Foundation at 7pm tonight for virtual premier of their performance of ‘Ironic’ by Alanis Morissette.

Aidan, the group’s band leader, says:
”Groove Foundation have worked incredibly hard over the past year, and this video perfectly demonstrates their talent, resilience and musicality. Well done! “

Young rock musicians from Southampton have kept their rock bands going throughout lockdown, working hard to turn their usual rehearsals and concerts into virtual band practices, and now, video performances too!

Sunday 8 December welcomes the start of Christmas concert season at Southampton Music Hub as three brass bands come together at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church for their annual Christmas concert.

The Christmas programme continues with an Airplay concert on Thursday 12 December and a chance to rock around the Christmas tree on Friday 13 December with Groove Merchant, Groove Foundation and Groove Syndicate.

The Christmas concert season rounds off on Sunday 15 December with a family-friendly concert from Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), where they will bring an exciting programme of musical entertainment to Turner Sims Southampton, including Christmas at the Movies, Music from Frozen, and range of Christmas Carols.

Southampton Music Hub are opening up auditions for a new, foundation level, city rock band. Groove Foundation will be Southampton's 19th youth ensemble, joining Groove Merchant as part of a growing network of support for the city's young rock and pop musicians. 

Auditions take place at Cantell School on Wednesday 18 October 2017, from 4.30–6pm. The band need three singers, two guitarists, a bass guitarist, a keyboard player and a drummer. Potential members need to be in school year seven and above, and whilst no previous band experience is needed, music reading is required.

Zoe Hunting, Ensemble Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"We're delighted to see the music hub's support for talented, young, rock and pop musicians now include a foundation rock band. By offering new and developing players the opportunity to practice and perform together, we hope to see the quality and standing of rock music grow in the city."