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Schools Hip Hop Workshop & Performance day!

Students from Redbridge Community College, Redbridge Primary and St Patrick's Catholic Primary all took part in a fantastic hip hop workshop and performance day.

Each school group participated in a rap lyric writing workshop with MC Larry Kazingizi, and vocal workshop with Shannon B & J Fashole-Luke and a freestyle session with rapper TenChoo and music producer Karan Master.

The music hub commissioned a song from local producer Sara and Shannon B for the Black History Month theme this year - Saluting Our Sister which all the students learned in their workshop and write lyrics for.

Year 5 & 6 students really enjoyed the opportunity to explore their feeder secondary school and student helpers from Redbridge College were a huge support during the workshops and helping everyone around the school too.

All the elements were brought together for a performance featuring the workshop leaders learning about a history of hip hop from the female perspective and bringing all the parts of the song together live on stage with all of the audience joining in too. This included an unplanned freestyle rap battle between schools, an amazing year 5 beatboxer and everyone joining in for the final song including two part harmony, live keyboards and percussion!

'Thanks so much to you both for organising such a great day. The children were buzzing and many said it was the 'best school trip ever!!'
- Teacher St Patrick's Primary

Music in SchoolsHannah Buckingham16 July 2024Photo Gallery

Schools Christmas Concert at O2 Guildhall Southampton

Photos from the Schools Christmas Concert 2023 at O2 Guildhall Southampton!

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityHannah Buckingham25 March 2024Photo Gallery

Young people perform and share their perspectives at Music Mark Conference

On Tuesday 28 November 2023, four young people from Southampton took to the main stage in the ballroom at the Ageas Bowl to share music and a presentation at the national Music Mark Conference for music educators.

Lorenza opened the conference with a performance of an original song she wrote and produced, and was followed by rapper Tommy T.

To explore the theme of “Who’s music education is it anyway?” Lorenza was joined by Carla and Sukhi in a panel discussion with Matt Brombley (Development and Inclusion Manager for Southampton and IOW Music Hub) and Sarah Mcwyatt (NYMAZ). The presentation also included a special video appearance from Ben (a young music journalist from NYMAZ) who answered questions from Carla.

The panel got to explore a range of themes, including:

the importance of giving young people more choice
making music education more relevant, reflective and representative
empowering young people with a wide range of skills and experiences

The session was part of our Youth Voice Network project, kindly funded by Youth Music.

Later on in the day, Nia Collins (Southampton and IOW Music Hub) and rap artist Rob Bradley also go to share the impact of the Rap and Literacy project, kindly funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Alongside a panel of other innovative rap and hip hop initiatives such as Spit Game, Future Music Makers and Kenny Baraka a discussion about the importance of relevency and authenticity in the music curriculum and as a progression pathway for young people is so important.

Music in the Community, Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley11 December 2023Youth Voice, Music Mark, Photo Gallery

Solent Shanty Sing

The Solent Shanty Sing project continued last week with performances taking place at Weston Shore on Wednesday 14th June and two performances on Friday 16th June

Singing groups from Weston Park Junior School and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School joined us at Weston Shore on Wednesday 14th with lots of parents and family as we sang the Southampton Sea shanties and songs that were composed with ideas from the children out to the sea.

On Friday 16th at West Quay we set up in front of the walls and ran two workshop performances in the sometimes punishing heat! The afternoon session saw Mount Pleasant Junior School, Freemantle Primary, Highfield Infants and St John’s Primary take part with a large audience sitting in the steps enjoying the performances of shanties from the songbook.

After school we hosting another performance which featured three primary schools from the Hamwic Trust – Wordsworth, Hollybrook and Shirley Infant and Primary schools. The music leads in these schools have been using the whole songbook as a resource for their singing assemblies throughout the year so they had selected some songs from the other regions involved in the commission (Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Portsmouth).

All the groups were all entertained prior to the event by the fantastic Southampton Salty Sea Dogs lead by Pauline McWilliams.

Miranda Boakes-Clark Teacher and Music Lead Shirley & Hollybrook Infants
“The children absolutely LOVED doing it. I think it was really special being down at the city walls and something they’ll always remember ...it’s so lovely to collaborate and make special things happen for our children.”

Friday 23rd June saw the final event of the Solent Shanty Sing Project which has run throughout this academic year in celebration of Year of the Coast 2023 and in partnership between Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Music Hubs. This event was particularly special as it was the first time that children from all of the participating music hub areas had come together to sing!

The event took place at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which was the ideal setting, with it’s rich maritime history and incredible wealth of heritage sites and attractions to visit. 200 children from each hub area (800 in total) were treated to an entire day of visiting the attractions such as HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose Museum and Portsmouth Hub’s specially created treasure trail, before being treated to an incredible display from the Royal Marines Marching Band and a massed sing of the Shanty Songbook.

Musicians from Folk Active, Southampton Salty Sea Dogs, Hampshire Music Hub and the English Folk Dance and Song Society were also present throughout the day providing live music for the children to listen to and enjoy as well as providing live music for them to sing with during their performance.

The children sang all the pieces from the songbook the 4 music hubs jointly commissioned for this project from composer and sound artist Emily Peasgood plus two extra arranged by Chris Ricketts. Each hub area choir had two songs to sing on their own which were shanties originally collected in their regions or newly composed songs based on ideas from workshops the children took part in the Autumn term. All 800 voices joined together for the three joint songs during the programme to a large audience in the square outside the Mary Rose Museum to an audience of parents, families, VIPs and spectators.

Mel Thomas (Teacher St Patrick’s Primary School Southampton)
“….the best event our school choir has had the opportunity to take part in! Thank you for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful event. It has given the children great memories that will stay with them and it has really encouraged their love for singing, music and performing in a choir. The impact the day has had on them was great.”
On Pupil from St Patrick’s said:
“I just don’t know how I’m going to describe to my parents everything I’ve seen and done today!”

Music in the Community, Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley3 July 2023Hub Partners, Stadium Tour, Photo Gallery

From the IOW: Solent Shanty Sing at Ventnor Botanic Gardens

On Friday 9 June 2023, 850 children from 14 schools across the island gathered together for the culmination of the Isle of Wight Solent Shanty Sing Project to perform together en masse and kick start a brand new walking festival celebrating the Heritage Coastline and Year of the Coast 2023! A mixture of children from Year 1 right up to Year 11 participated along with students from SEND settings.

Children arrived in staggered groups from 11am onwards and were treated to fantastic performances by local shanty groups the SHEshells and The Brighstone Barnacles while the sheer volume of pupils got into position. The New Carnival Company provided some beautiful flags and decoration for the space in the already stunning setting of Ventnor Botanic Gardens in full summer bloom.

The children sang a mixture of songs from a songbook commissioned by the music hub, composed a curated by Emily Peasgood and featured some original sea shanties collected on the Isle of Wight plus songs written with input from children taking part in the project. The event finished with a song written especially by Jo Downs about the Heritage Coastline on the island and everyone gave a loud countdown to start the first group of walkers taking part in the walking festival. The walking event was organised by Creative Ways Outdoors, New Carnival Company and the IOW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty trust who provided certificates to all the young people who took part in the project to take home with them.

This huge scale partnership project continues over the next few weeks with further performances taking place in Weston Shore, West Quay and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where 4 music hubs; Southampton, Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Portsmouth will all come together!

Photo credit Tracy Curtis and New Carnival Company

Nia Collins Event Organiser, says:

“What has been so fantastic about this project has been the level of collaboration and partnership that has brought this project together between cultural organisations (such as New Carnival Company and Creative Ways Outdoors) and local organisations (IOW AONB and Ventnor Botanic Gardens) right down to the children taking part writing their own parts of the songs we sang today. The Classic Boat Museum in Cowes even created a lesson plan resource especially for the project which has been shared with all the music hubs taking part in the wider regional project.
I have learned lots of things about the island’s unique geography and rich maritime history through this project and I’m certain that the young people participating have as well, all while we have been supporting schools and teachers to keep the magic of singing alive for children and young people!”

Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley12 June 2023IOW, Photo Gallery

Southampton Music Hub gives Secondary School pupils a chance to showcase their talent at MAST Mayflower Studios

Southampton Secondary Schools were invited by Southampton Music Hub to programme a whole evening of performances by their pupils in Studio 1 at MAST Mayflower Studios. Over 100 pupils from 6 schools across the city and city wide ensembles put together a memorable evening of music with a huge range of repertoire and instrumental line ups. From Rock Bands, Jazz Groups, Clarinet ensembles and soloists with their own original material it really was clear how incredibly talented the city’s young musicians are.

Hosted by Musician, poet and performer Ricky Tart hosted the event which was enthusiastically attended by the Lord Mayor and local councillors along with parents, friends and family with fantastic support from music hub partners MAST Mayflower Studios.

“It is such a great experience for the students to perform in the venue and also to see what other students of their age are working on.” Gemma Dyne, Head of Music Cantell School

“Thank you so much for organising such a lovely event, it was such good fun for us and the students!” Jorge May, Head of Music St George’s Catholic College

Nia Collins, Southampton Music Hub Programmes and Events Manager, says:

“It has been a privilege to have been able to provide a literal platform for these young people to have the experience of playing and performing on a professional stage such as this one. I was blown away by the standard of playing and performance across the evening and the audience and the students were so polite, positive and supportive of each other throughout which was so lovely to see.”

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley22 February 2023Photo Gallery

Rap and Literacy: sharing what we learnt when co-creating a creative curriculum.

The Rap and Literacy (Co-designing a Creative Curriculum) project was initiated by Southampton Music Hub, funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and worked with art-based practitioner (Rob Bradley) as well as three Southampton Schools (Bassett Green Primary School, St Monica Junior School and Weston Park Primary School) between May 2021 and December 2022.

Through a process of co-construction, a year’s long programme of music and literacy was designed and delivered from September 2021 to July 2022, including workshops, class-based lessons, and performances. The programme worked with 270 pupils, nine class-based teachers, one music hub curriculum specialist, and rap performer Rob Bradley. In addition to those taking part in the core programme activity, performances reached an audience of over 200 parents and family members.

Following the completion of the project, a documentary film and evaluation report is being released following a shared learning and celebration event in January which was attended by the organisations who took part, as well as regional education and cultural partners, and Arts Council England.

Download the Evaluation Report

Find out more about the Action Research of Southampton Music Hub

Action Research Hub

Photographs thanks to City Eye.

Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley6 February 2023Rap and Literacy, Photo Gallery

From IOW: Isle of Wight schools perform Christmas Carols at Osborne House

Isle of Wight Music Hub is delighted to have partnered with English Heritage again to provide schools with the opportunity to perform at Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s famed residence in East Cowes.

Eight schools and over 350 children visited the house on Tuesday 29th November to take part in a carousel of activities including Victorian Christmas Cracker making, a tour of the house and a choir performance for the other schools and parents who attended with them. The performances took place in the incredible Durbar Room and the children were singing in the exact spot where Queen Victoria’s own children would perform for her at Christmas.

We were treated to some magical performances from sixth form students from Medina and Carisbrooke College right the way down to Key Stage 1 pupils from island primaries and everything in between.

“The children loved it, it was a lovely thing to do especially with the mix of crafts, a tour and singing. Thanks for arranging these opportunities for our children, they really do make a difference” Graham Andre Assistant Head Lanesend Primary School

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley30 November 2022IOW, Photo Gallery

From IOW: Isle of Wight Schools perform at Rhythm Tree Festival

Isle of Wight Music Hub are delighted to have been able to programme 6 hours on the Carnivale Stage at Rhythm Tree again after a three year haitus. The Hub worked in partnership with the Rhythm Tree Festival organisers, Shademakers (who decorated and dressed the stage and area so spectacularly) and schools to allow them the opportunity to perform at an international festival!

Twelve schools and over 300 pupils took it in turns to perform with everything from ukuleles, glockenspiels, djembes and traditional rock bands represented and pupils from Year 3 up to Year 11. The festival organisers and production team Widget built a custom ramp onto the stage to ensure that pupils from St George’s School were able to access the event and perform too. Young people performed to a fantastic audience made up of enthusiastic parents and festival goers who braved hotter than 30 degree temperatures at the new Festival site at Sticelett Farm.

Nia Collins, IOW Music Hub Lead said:

“It really was incredible to watch the depth and breadth of musical excellence happening across the island across all ages and abilities. For the music Hub to have been able to give them the opportunity and a literal platform to do so along with our partners was an honour. I hope that the young people that took part today will remember this experience for a very long time to come!”

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley11 July 2022IOW, Photo Gallery

MAST Concert Series

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.

Ensembles, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley1 July 2022Brassroots, Acorn Strings, Los Twangolitos, Twango, Bella Voce, Southampton Boom, Elgar, Airplay, Fusion Brass, Groove Merchant, Groove Foundation, Photo Gallery

Inclusive music-making with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

On Sunday 26 June Southampton Music Hub was, once again, joined by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a fantastic afternoon of music making.

An inclusive ensemble was put together specially for this workshop consisting of children that are currently members of an ensemble as well as children that are learning an instrument or sing but have never played in an ensemble before. All were welcome, from beginners to the more experienced players.

One of the performers said:

“I was so nervous when I got here. I didn't know anyone and it was so noisy when I walked in. I made lots of new friends this afternoon and it was so great to play with other people.' Another added 'I really didn't think I could play as I didn't understand the music. but by the end of the afternoon I was totally joining in. It makes me very proud.”

The group of 60 children were taught the new Southampton anthem for the Women's Euros — it's first ever playing! You can listen to the final performance of it below.

This isn't the final time that it will be played though. The Royal Philharmonic will be returning to Southampton on Friday 15 July for the fan party in Palmerston Park. Once again we will be welcoming schools and players to work with the RPO to deliver some inspiring performances of the Southampton Euro Anthem! Do join us if you can.

Music in the Community, EnsemblesMatt Brombley27 June 2022Southampton, Photo Gallery

From the IOW: "Biosphere Big Sing" is a big hit

On Friday 20 May one of the biggest ever Isle of Wight Music Hub events was staged, in partnership with Shademakers, the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, English Heritage and Brown’s Golf Course.

Over 900 pupils from nine schools came together for the final Biosphere Big Sing event following weeks of workshops and rehearsals which involved thousands of children of all ages. The event itself took place on Brown’s Golf Course in Sandown and beautiful flags and set dressing were provided by IOW international carnival company Shademakers.

Over 250 members of an impromptu audience made up of parents, locals and councillors were treated to songs about the island’s unique Unesco Biosphere Reserve status. Songs were especially written for the project by Hub composer Jo Downs. The catchy Cheer for the Biosphere featured lyrics listing the island’s incredible biodiversity and heritage and Protect Our Island used the 15 UN sustainability goals as it’s inspiration.

The project celebrated the Isle of Wight AONB team’s incredible success in garnering Unesco Biosphere Reserve Status and as part of this project they went into schools to do assemblies to make the young people aware of what that means with a call to action to ensure we look after it in the future!

One young performer says:

“this event just shows how important it is to solve problems together.”

Richard Grogan from the AONB adds:

“The island is in your hands, you are the future.”

Nia Collins, IOW Hub Lead says:

“What has been so incredible about this project is the level of collaboration between IOW organisations from English Heritage running free workshops on an environmental theme at Osborne House, the AONB getting out of their comfort zone and into the classroom(!) to spread the word of Biosphere to Shademakers and Brown’s providing us with the perfect setting. Alongside that the schools, teachers and pupils that have engaged with the project and taken on board the themes and resources and will continue to make use of them in the future. This enriched offer to our schools has really helped to make this project something larger, with a lasting legacy and certainly a day we won’t all forget in a hurry!”

Music in the Community, Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley17 June 2022Photo Gallery, IOW

Singing Together at Turner Sims: from Southampton to Nakuru, Kenya

Southampton Music Hub had the privilege of working with local charity African Adventures Foundation this term on a very unique and special project.

Via African Adventures the music hub connected children from schools in Southampton with The Walk Centre in Nakuru, Kenya which is supported and maintained by African Adventures Foundation. Over Zoom the children and young people got together to plan out a choral exchange concert, choosing songs that they would like to perform for each other and songs they would love the other group to perform. The young people involved also asked lots of questions about what life was like in the other country and a variety of brilliant questions which we set about answering as part of this too.

On Tuesday 14 June all the Southampton based schools came together to celebrate the project at Turner Sims Concert Hall and took part in a filmed concert performance which also featured some fantastic video footage of The Walk Centre Choir performing and answering the questions that were originally posed.

Participating Southampton schools are now going to start to help with fundraising for their new friends in Nakuru Kenya. A final video of this performance and the footage from our partner school will be available for participants friends and family to watch after making a small donation to African Adventures Foundation.

Nia Collins, Partnerships Manager, says:

“We are looking forward to getting some of our young people back together on a Zoom call with our counterparts in Kenya afterwards to see what they all thought of their performances and to continue to grow the connections between us.”

A participant says:

“ I loved hearing the children from Africa sing because it made me feel so happy. It was really great being able to do a concert with children from another country. I would like to do more of that.”

Kath Page, Hub Lead, says:

“This has been such an amazing project to be a part of, designed and led by the children themselves. This concert is really the tip of the iceberg and it will be fascinating to see what kind of music the children would like to perform in the future – their voices will be paramount in shaping the music hub offer in the future.”

Rachel Northover, Head of fundraising at African Adventures Foundation, says:

“African Adventures Foundation was delighted to collaborate with Southampton Music Hub on this fantastic event to celebrate cultural exchange and the power of music to connect children from different backgrounds. It was really special to see the enthusiasm and efforts of the pupils from the various schools involved, and they created an amazing atmosphere for the choral exchange. This has been an exciting project for African Adventures Foundation to be involved in and we are keen to maintain a connection with the schools to continue the exchange that has been initiated.”

Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley16 June 2022Everybody Sing, Southampton, Photo Gallery

From the IOW: Jubilee Celebrations at Osbourne House

On Tuesday 7 June schools and young people from across the Isle of Wight came together at Osborne House for an outdoor concert celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. A wonderfully wide-ranging programme included rock bands from secondary schools, primary choirs, the Isle of Wight Music Centre ensembles and soloists performing in the carriage ring outside the main house while spectators sat on the Durbar lawn having their picnics.

In the run up to this project the Isle of Wight Music Hub worked with many primary schools and the home learning network to teach our specially commissioned Jubilee Song It’s The Platinum Jubilee composed by Jo Downs. The concert closed with a massed sung performance of this song with 100s of students from primary schools represented singing together in this appropriately Royal setting.

This event was organised by the IOW Music Hub and the Education team at English Heritage with sound a production support from IOW based production company Widget.

Nia Collins, IOW Hub Lead says:

“Well I think we can safely say that the future of music on the island is in good hands! We have seen such an incredible array of musical talent on display this evening and there’s something very special about being able to do this in such a magical and historically significant setting as Osborne House”

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley15 June 2022IOW, Photo Gallery

Concert Review: Fusion Brass and Brassroots at MAST Mayflower Studios

Fusion Brass and Brassroots performed at MAST Mayflower Studios on Wednesday 30 March 2022.

Kath Page, Hub Manager, says:

“It was wonderful to see the players so focused, engaged and enjoying their music making. The audience were thrilled to be a part of the performance and joined in enthusiastically when directed by Fusion Brass director Simon Farrendon. Brassroots performed fantastically - for some members this was their first concert!

James Gardener, director of Brass Roots says:

“I've ben proud of how hard Brassroots have worked this term, especially when they're such a young band. I think they really enjoyed the experience of playing live and I can't wait to see where we can take this band in the future.”

“I've really missed being able to perform. it makes me feel proud to perform to an audience - it was really weird being online because you couldn't hear anyone else. Making music with other people is really important and it sounds cool.” - Eleanor from Fusion Brass

EnsemblesMatt Brombley6 April 2022Brassroots, Southampton, Photo Gallery

Southampton: A Musical Odyssey (in pictures)

On Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 2020, Mayflower Theatre hosted 1,000 young performers, brought together by Southampton Music Hub, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. The Mayflower’s pioneering voyage 400 years ago created connections that changed the world. In response, these two show stopping performances saw young people at the heart of the start of a year of cultural programming for the city.

Thursday 5 March — Photo Gallery

Friday 6 March 2020 — Photo Gallery

Ensembles, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley12 March 2020Mayflower 400, Symphony 400, Big Sing, Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO), Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), Southampton Wind Band (SWB), Pulse8, Southampton Youth Brass Band (SYBB), Brassroots, Fusion Brass, Photo Gallery, Southampton

Mayflower Cruise Terminal hosts 1,000 performers ahead of two nights of music at Mayflower Theatre

On Saturday 29 February 2020, Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Mayflower Cruise Terminal hosted a rehearsal for 1,000 performers ahead of two nights of music at Mayflower Theatre on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 2020.

The two events will commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower: a pioneering voyage 400 years ago created connections that changed the world. In response, Southampton Music Hub, will use these two momentous evenings to celebrate the incredible power of music to take people and communities on life-changing journeys.

Book Tickets for Thursday 5 and Friday 6th March 2020

Kath Page, Manager at Southampton Music Hub, says:
“Everybody is so excited to be part of these incredible musical celebrations. These two nights will be an opportunity for the whole community to come together and enjoy the power of music to connect people, to inspire people, and to help make Southampton an exciting city to live in.”

Both evenings will include performers from all across the city: including 800 young singers from city schools; 200 talented young musicians from community bands and orchestras; 80 young theatre performers; 50 community musicians and many more. With so many performers, finding rehearsal space is a huge challenge. But thanks to the kindness of Associated British Ports (ABP), they were all able to come together in the Mayflower cruise terminal for an epic rehearsal on Saturday 29 February 2020.

Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive says:“We are delighted to be able to host these two concerts and to premiere songs from our Mayflower 400 musical commissions which will be performed in August 2020 at the theatre. It will be amazing to see all the talented young singers and musicians on our stage and we hope that they will have an inspiring experience performing their songs.”

Morning Rehearsal Gallery:

Afternoon Rehearsal Gallery:

Ensembles, Family Music, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley29 February 2020Mayflower 400, Photo Gallery

Symphony 400: the primary school pupils who heard their musical ideas brought to life by an orchestra for the first time

On Thursday 27 February, 60 young musicians from across the city came together at Bitterne Park school for one big rehearsal ahead of an epic musical performance on Friday 6 March 2020 at Mayflower Theatre.

The rehearsal, organised as part of an inspirational music project from Southampton Music Hub and Mayflower Theatre, was the first — and only — time the performers will rehearse all together, the brand new piece of music which they will debut on the night.

“Symphony 400: The Journey”, from award-winning composer James Redwood, was inspired by the Mayflower’s pioneering voyage 400 years ago, which created connections that changed the world.

The piece of music started life as musical ideas from 100 primary school children, who joined the rehearsal to hear their ideas transformed and performed by the city’s most talented young musicians ahead of its debut on the Mayflower stage.

James Redwood, composer for the project, says:
“The primary school children were deeply engaged by the Mayflower 400 story, and the musical ideas they created are now taking an incredible journey of their own. I’m delighted to turn those ideas into a piece of music for some of the city’s most talented young musicians to perform, and even more thrilled to know that the composers of the original ideas will see their work performed on the city’s most famous stage.”

On the night, young musicians from Bitterne Park Secondary, Oasis Lordshill, Richard Taunton’s Sixth Form College and St Anne’s Catholic School will join a line up of 500 performers for a momentous evening to celebrate the incredible power of music to take people and communities on life-changing journeys.

Councillor Darren Paffey, Cabinet Member for Aspiration, Children and Lifelong Learning says:
“As we begin our commemorations of 400 years since the Mayflower set sail, I’m delighted that young musicians from across Southampton will have the opportunity to take part in A Musical Odyssey. I know from my own experience of learning and performing music when I was younger that it’s a brilliant way of opening up new experiences, ideas, and cultures, and really brings communities together. My congratulations to Southampton Music Hub for putting this event together and for putting the life-changing power of music into the hands of so many young people.”

Book Tickets for Thursday 5 and Friday 6th March 2020

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley27 February 2020Mayflower 400, Symphony 400, Photo Gallery

Soton Voce singing around the city

Southampton Music Hub’s community and family choir, Soton Voce, have been spreading festive cheer around the city carol singing and wassailing alongside Sea Shanty Choir The Salty Sea Dogs.

Soton Voce members began their singing tour by visiting Southampton General Hospital and sang in the main foyer raising money for the Southampton Hospital Charity whilst entertaining patients, visitors and employees. The choirs then moved on to the German Market in the city centre and sang to large crowds of shoppers on what looked like one of the busiest shopping days of the year. A final group went on to take part in Carols on the Square outside St Michael the Archangel on Bugle Street.

Soton Voce presented an eclectic programme spanning medieval rounds, traditional carols and modern acapella classics from The Fleet Foxes and Pentatonix. The Salty Sea Dogs entertained with their always raucous sea shanties in their own inimitable style, including a real dog and several members of the public who joined in with them at the German Market!

Nia Collins, Musical Director of Soton Voce, says:
“It was fantastic to share all the hard work that our new choir has put in this term and bring community music making to other areas of the city and also to be able to share that with The Salty Sea Dogs as well as all our member’s friends and families. We’re looking forward to continuing to recruit new members in 2020 and watching the choir grow and develop”

Soton Voce choir are still recruiting new members so if you would like to come and try it out, rehearsals start again on Tuesday 14th January 2020 from 11.30am-12.30pm at St Michael the Archangel off Bugle Street.

Get in touch to find out more

Ensembles, Music in Schools, Family Music, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley12 December 2019Soton Voce, Photo Gallery

A new half term starts with an orchestral adventure for 1,000 younger school children

On Monday 4 November, around 1,000 pupils from across the city of Southampton and the Isle of Wight have enjoyed “An Audience With SYCS”, during two fun filled interactive performances, at Central Hall.

Pupils from Year R, Year 1 and Year 2 were inspired by the talented young musicians of Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) who played well-known tunes from films and musicals as well as classical favourites.

From Tocatta to Toothless the Dragon, pupils learned about different instruments in the orchestra and their families, swing beats, repeating ostinato patterns and other elements of music through interactive musical activities and guided listening.

Kath Page, Manager for Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, and presenter for the day, said:
“It was wonderful to see the children so enthused and inspired by the music they heard and took part in today and in particular that the music was played so brilliantly by young musicians from our own ensembles. We hope that many of those pupils will eventually be musicians playing with our ensembles in the future”

Music in Schools, EnsemblesMatt Brombley5 November 2019Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), Stadium Tour, Photo Gallery