The Amber Trust have developed a wonderful new resource, Positive Touch Guide, to support teachers working with blind and partially sighted students to feel confident in using touch safely and appropriately.   

The Amber Trust is dedicated to giving blind and partially sighted children the best possible musical opportunities. Amber’s work is grounded in evidence-informed approaches to musical development for children with vision impairments, including those with additional differences and disabilities, and those with complex needs.

Children who are blind or who have very little sight experience the world primarily through auditory and tactile information. In music education, this means that touch can become an especially powerful and meaningful channel for demonstrating and scaffolding instrumental technique, supporting singing (for example, through awareness of breath and posture), and, for some children, communicating reassurance and emotional connection.

What we define as Positive Touch is the intentional, supportive and appropriate use of physical contact to facilitate learning, foster communication and, where appropriate, provide reassurance. Used sensitively and ethically, Positive Touch can be a crucial element in teaching blind and some partially sighted children.

The Amber Trust promotes positive, appropriate and reassuring touch between practitioners and blind children, or those with very little sight, during music teaching and music-service sessions. For some children – particularly those who are very young or who have additional disabilities – touch may be an essential part of communication and of building understanding of the world around them.

This guide is for teachers, practitioners and families. It outlines Amber’s approach to Positive Touch, tips and techniques, and information about safeguarding.

This guide is available to download as a pdf, and in word (suitable for screen readers) and large print versions.

You’ll find it on The Amber Trust’s website in various formats here:  https://ambertrust.org/positive-touch-guide/

Positive Touch Guide

A new resource by The Amber Trust to support teachers working with blind and partially sighted students to feel confident in using touch safely and appropriately.

Access Here

For our 10 Minute Sing & Sing this week, we have an original song by Jo Downs: A Cockerel-headed Man.

This song has been specially written and commissioned for our partners Brading Roman Villa as part of a wider project on the Isle of Wight called ‘Can You Hear Us?’ and the ‘Songs of Place’ we are creating for this.

A Cockerel-headed Man! is about one of the famous pictures that make up the mosaic floor at Brading Roman Villa - Gallus the Cockerel-headed Man! This song has been written in the style of Victorian Music Hall as a nod to the time that the Villa was discovered.

You can listen to the track on our Songbank, or Sign and Sing along using our 10 Minute Sign & Sing learning and performance videos.

Everybody sing songbank

Access: A Cockerel-headed Man! Full track, Backing track & Score, as part of our Myths & Legends songs for our Vocal Prom.

Listen here

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After two days of intensive rehearsals the Southampton Youth Orchestra gave incredible performances for their "Musical Portraits" concert on 11 April at Thornden Hall. 

The concert featured two soloists from SYO, violinist Katie Ho in Saint-Saens Danse Macabre and the Ghin Choi in the 2nd movement of Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto.  Both soloists were simply stunning. It was hard to remember they are both still only in Y13. Huge congratulations to both soloists. SYO were equally fabulous in Coleridge-Taylor's Overture to The Song of Hiawatha and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. 

"Another evening to remember from the Southampton Youth Orchestra.  Under the direction of Kevin Withell and Charlie Mann the orchestra continue to go from strength to strength.  Everyone at Southampton and IOW Music are incredibly proud of all their achievements"

- Zoe Hunting, Ensemble Manager, SIOW Music

The Vibe are launching a new series of free workshops at Turner Sims for 18-25 year olds who are interested in working in the creative industries.

This series of four workshops in April and May, taught by industry professionals including guests from Southbank Centre, Tim Hand Productions and Tomorrow’s Warriors, will introduce careers and skills in live music venues, including;

• Programming (21 April, 6pm) - more info here

• Technical production (23 April, 6pm) - more info here

• Marketing (11 May, 6pm) - more information here

• Event management (12 May, 6pm) - more information here

Booking: Workshops are booked individually so young people can mix and match the ones that interest them, or do all four!

Accessibility: Participants don’t need any prior experience and we can work with individuals to support any access needs. 

Further Opportunities: Young people who take part in at least one workshop you will have the opportunity to apply for a paid role supporting events at Turner Sims at the end of the workshop series. 

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The end of the Spring Term 2026 has seen another series of stunning performances from SIOW Ensembles.  The young musicians gave stunning performances in a variety of venues performing well known classics through to music from stage and screen.

“The standard of playing and professionalism displayed by the young musicians is always outstanding.  It is always an absolute pleasure to attend the performances given by our ensembles” - Zoe Hunting - SIOW Music

We have one more performance to go, with the Southampton Youth Orchestra performing on Saturday 11 April, 7.30 at the Thornden Hall. Two young musicians from the orchestra will appear as soloists in the concert.  An evening not to be missed!

Tickets can be purchased via the button below.

Monty’s Community Hub in Sholing are delivering a Wellbeing Music Workshop for young people aged 11–18 on Saturday 21st March 2026, 1pm–4pm.

The session is part of Sara’s (Girls Make Music Facilitator) new creative wellbeing practice How To Hear Yourself, which uses music, sound and creative exploration to help young people build confidence, express themselves, and connect with their emotions in a supportive environment.

During the workshop participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore sounds and samples through listening activities

• Experiment with instruments, voice and recording

• Create their own tracks or soundscapes using accessible music software

• Collaborate with others and try out creative ideas in a relaxed setting

No previous musical experience is required. The workshop is designed to be very accessible with a low barrier to entry, and focuses on creativity, curiosity and self-expression rather than technical ability. Participants are welcome to bring any instruments if they wish.

 Location: Monty’s Community Hub, Sholing
 Date: Saturday 21st March 2026
 Time: 1pm – 4pm (lunch included – pizza)
 Ages: 11–18

Places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

The link to sign up is here: https://forms.gle/XkvSiMD7F3oiUyt1A

Applications are now live until 31 March 2026 to apply for the Bournemouth's National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) Ensemble from September 2026.

We encourage applications from 11–25-year-old disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled musicians. We play a mixture of acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments and there is no requirement to read music or have taken graded exams. We also welcome young disabled people with musical potential who might not yet play an instrument but control eye gaze technology or head trackers in a way that could transfer to playing the Clarion accessible instrument. Rehearsals take place roughly once a month, starting from September 2026 to June 2027 on Saturdays. 

For more information, you can read the 2026 Applicant's Information Pack to get an idea of what being part of a Regional NOYO Ensemble is like. Also, more information is listed on the NOYO website: Apply now to join NOYO from September 2026 - National Open Youth Orchestra

To apply, please fill out the application form here. 

The Southampton Youth Wind Band (SYWB) lit up Mayflower Studios on Monday night with a lively and uplifting performance of Windows of the World.

The young musicians—from across Southampton and beyond—played with the confidence and energy of a group far beyond their years, reminding everyone why they’re gaining such a strong national reputation.

Right from the opening piece, SYWB showed just how polished a youth ensemble can be. Under the steady and encouraging direction of John Hanchett, the band played with tight coordination and a warm, balanced sound. The highlight of the evening was definitely Peter Graham’s Windows of the World. It’s a big, colourful piece that shifts styles quickly, and the band handled every twist with real flair—from punchy Latin rhythms to softer, more atmospheric moments. The audience were clearly impressed, giving one of the biggest rounds of applause of the night.

Young Composers Get their Moment

One of the loveliest touches in the programme was the inclusion of original music written by band members themselves. It gave the concert a personal feel and showed just how much talent is being nurtured within the group. These student pieces sat comfortably alongside familiar music from films, popular wind band works, and other crowdpleasers.

By the end of the night, it was clear why SYWB are considered one of the top youth wind bands around. Their enthusiasm, musicality, and sheer enjoyment of performing made Windows of the World a feelgood, memorable event. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a wonderful celebration of local young talent and the thriving music scene in Southampton.

Councillor Barnes-Andrews commented:

‘What a tour de force! Southampton can be so proud of the young people who played this evening. They all performed superbly and the audience were stunned and delighted’.

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As part of our commitment to youth voice, we are running 3 sessions over the next few months.

These are creative consultations open to anyone up to the age of 18 interested in music. Anyone attending is invited to bring along friends. We'll use the time to do a fun activity and discuss music: from genre-preferences to career goals. 

All sessions will take place at our space in Mayflower Studios (142 Above Bar St, SO14 7BL) with lots of snacks! This is a great opportunity to take part in a fun and free creative activity, and visit our recording space. 

These sessions will be led by Philippa! (Signposting and Youth Governance Worker for South Coast Music Partnership)

17/02/26 - Collage evening:

Come along for the chance to chill out and create a personalised collage while we chat about your music progression. There'll be snacks, music (submit song choices on the sign-up sheet) and the chance to take home your creation.

10/03/26 - Puppet-making session:

Could you create Sockbrina Carpenter, Jimi Handrix, or Elphaba's friend Soq? During this session, we'll teach you to build a sock puppet and ask that you build a music figure that's relevant to you - perhaps a musician, a singer-songwriter, a character from a musical or someone else? I look forward to finding out who you create and why!

16/03/26 -  Podcast recording:

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at hosting a podcast? Or just being a guest? However you feel, we want to invite you to create your own podcast episode! We'd like your podcast to be themed around music as a career but the rest is up to you, in return you'll be sent the final episode fully edited. 

If any of this is of interest to you please sign up here or by scanning the QR code on the attached poster. Come along to as many sessions as you'd like! 

Do you play a brass instrument? Can you play 5 notes or more? Do you enjoy making music others? Then this is the group for you!

Brassroots is the beginner brass ensemble in Southampton, run by Southampton & IOW Music with funding from the Friends of Southampton Youth Brass Band.

Rehearsals will take place at:

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

on Tuesdays (5-6pm) during term time

Membership fee:  £60 per term

Up to 3 free taster rehearsals

 For further information and to sign up, please use contact details below:

music@siowmusic.org

023 8083 3648

Over Christmas, our Ensembles treated us to some spectacular performances!

The first day of the Christmas holidays saw both Southampton Youth Brass Band and Southampton Youth Orchestra in action. The Brass Band in partnership with the Chandlers Ford Band gave a performance at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church that was full of fun and festive cheer that got everyone in the Christmas spirit. 

Some band members then made a quick move over to Holy Saviour Church in Bitterne to join the Southampton Youth Orchestra together with the Clara Voces choir for the Lord Mayors Christmas concert.  With stunning performances from both the orchestra and choir in a beautiful setting this was a more reflective performance about the true meaning of Christmas. 

A wonderful end to a stunning series of performances from all Southampton and IOW Music ensembles throughout the Autumn term!

After an incredible celebration of music at our School’s Concert last year, we have put together the mixed recordings of performances and uploaded them to our YouTube channel.

To watch the recordings, follow the link below to access the Celebrate! Schools Concert at Southampton Guildhall playlist on your YouTube:

Next autumn, the Isle of Wight celebrates all that the Island is with “Can You Hear Us?”, a six-week celebration of creativity and culture taking place across the Island funded by Arts Council England. 

Our Partners at Creative Island are offering micro-grants and a fully funded leadership programme as part of this celebration.

Micro-Grants

“Can You Hear Us?” micro-grants programme is offering 20-25 grants of between £500 - £1,000 to support local groups to deliver creative activity, anywhere on the Isle of Wight, between March and October 2026. 

Deadline: 30 January 2026, 11.59pm

Full information on how to apply and FAQs can be found on Creative Islands’ website here.

Cultural Leadership Programme

As part of “Can You Hear Us?”, Creative Island are running a fully funded leadership programme for 12 individuals on the Isle of Wight from March to October 2026.

Who is it for?

We are looking for participants who want to make a positive difference to life on the Island and who are ready to grow and develop their skills as leaders.

You might not think of yourself as a leader, or feel that the word fits, but you might be someone who brings people together, makes things happen, or has a vision for how culture on the Island could grow and evolve.

Participants might include freelancers, artists and people working within organisations.

When we talk about culture, we mean the creative, heritage, environmental, social, education and library sectors, as well as the many community spaces where people come together, get involved and share what matters to them

Deadline: 25 January 2026, 11.59pm

Full details on what to expect and how to apply can be found here.

Micro Grants

Between £500 - £1,000 to support local groups to deliver creative activity on the Isle of Wight, between March & October 2026. 

Deadline: 30 January 2026, 11.59pm

APPLY NOW

Cultural Leadership Programme

We are looking for participants who want to make a positive difference to life on the Island and who are ready to grow and develop their skills as leaders.

Deadline: 25 January 2026, 11.59pm

apply now

Southampton schools & young musicians come together for an evening of songs and music celebrating winter festivals from around the world

Celebrate! Southampton and IOW Music’s annual schools concert at O2 Southampton Guildhall took place on Thursday 4th December.  Crowds were wowed by performances from massed KS1 and KS2 choirs representing 11 schools from across the city alongside musicians from Chinese Arts, Southampton Youth Wind Band (SYWB), Folk Active Youth Ensembles (FAYE) and soloists from our Stage Door Rising Stars programme.

Performing original songs written by composers Jo Downs and Fiona Funnell as well as a Polish Carol arranged by Miko Lisiak, schools sang about Diwali, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Yule and Christmas. The culmination of the evening featured a song called Shine a Little Light celebrating the unity and diversity of our city which was performed by candlelight.

Soloist Hannah Hughes sang some Christmas numbers with the Wind Band and Herleen Khalsa performed her own song Logic Behind the Lines accompanied on Sitar.  The Guzheng players from Chinese Arts performed Forest Rhapsody and Little Apple which the choir children on stage danced along to.  The Wind Band provided some festive Christmas medleys alongside film and World music alongside folk tunes from Holland with FAYE.  Both ensembles performed alongside the massed choirs.

Teacher quotes

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it right from the workshops to our own rehearsals and of course the concert last night”

“The children and staff had the most incredible time”

“It was a truly memorable experience for all the children involved”

Parent quote

“We really appreciate and are grateful in giving her the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience”

In 2026, SIOW Music will be delivering ‘Song of Place’ an exciting song-writing project for Island of Culture on the Isle of Wight.

Song of Place is a cross-generational creative music project which will allow young people and communities across the Island to become the lead artistic voice in celebrating Island music and finding new audiences.  Multiple groups will delve into different aspects of the island drawing inspiration from the environment, island life and the trailblazing communities that exist here, creating songs and soundscapes. 

Who will we be reaching with this project?

Song-writing project work will intersect with a range of cross arts cultural partners and local ensembles (brass and marching bands, choirs, Folk on the Wight, carnivals) alongside schools, young people and their families with a particular focus on working in areas of the island in the highest indices of deprivation and those most unable or unlikely to access music making. 

We will aim to reach over 3500 children and young people (half the school age population) with song-writing workshops and activities during 2026 across all phases from Early Years to HE including SEND and AP settings. 

Activity will also take place in hyperlocal areas of the Island, in school settings, village halls, libraries and community spaces, inviting the Island’s amateur musicians to collaborate with nationally significant musicians and composers and to intermingle with communities not normally connected with music.  Environmental sounds will be sampled from the Island’s mosaic of habitats and represented as soundscapes.

Exciting Outcomes & Working Together

A contemporary composer will be commissioned to write an ambitious new commission featuring the Island’s amateur ensembles and children.  All the project strands will come together in a curated and digitally distributed Island of Culture album and playlist. 

The content will be recorded, mixed and mastered during delivery in 2026 and extracts and the World Premiere will be performed at a one-of-a-kind large-scale event in Ventnor Exchange’s Big Top during Autumn 2026. 

The project work, performance and recordings will feature local professional and amateur musicians and groups, schools, bedroom producers, emerging talent, young people and community groups, all working together to produce an ambitious and lasting work listened to, performed and remembered for years to come.

Listen on

Vectis Radio

Nia chats to Macca on Vectis Radio about the upcoming project! Listen from about 6 minutes into the episode.

Listen Here

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On Saturday 6 December the Southampton Youth Brass Band joined forces with the Chandler's Ford Brass Band to play some traditional Christmas Carols at the Exbury Gardens Christmas Fayre. 

Despite some drizzle the bands attracted plenty of listeners, many of whom joined in singing.  The event provided an ideal opportunity for SYBB to play alongside more experienced brass band players. 

Bournemouth NOYO are calling out to musicians aged between 11-25 years old who may be interested in joining the Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble. 

Join the National Open Youth Orchestra’s Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble where brilliant disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together - on acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments.

• Develop your musical skills within a pioneering inclusive ensemble.

• We learn music not only from notation, but also by ear and through improvisation.

Come to our Bournemouth Open Rehearsals on Saturday 10 and Saturday 31 January 2026 from 1pm - 4pm at The Spire, Poole (BH15 1DF) - find out more at noyo.org.uk

These are great opportunities to watch a Bournemouth NOYO rehearsal, meet the Music Leaders and other local musicians, and ask any questions they might have before applying for an audition.

Applications for regional auditions will be from Saturday 14 February to Tuesday 31 March 2026.

For more information about the Open Rehearsals, please see below: 

NOYO's website - Come to our 2026 Open Rehearsals! - National Open Youth Orchestra

BSO's  website - Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble

Find out more about applying to be part of the ensemble.

Find Out More

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On Monday, the 17th of November, Matt Brombley, the strategic inclusion lead for SIOW Music and South Coast Music Partnership, took part in a presentation at the national music education conference run by Music Mark. Matt took part in a panel discussion with other experts in the field of youth voice and youth leadership, including sharing a video made by young people.

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Sign up for Songwriters Den in 2026! Unleash your creativity and write your own songs!

What is it?

• Group sessions, where you can:

  • Learn different lyric writing techniques

  • Find out how to create melodies

  • Create chord progressions

  • Try out new instruments

  • Perform your songs at events and festivals

  • Meet like-minded people and share ideas!

Who can attend?

• 8-16 year olds

• No experience necessary

Where is it?

• Newport Congregational Church, Isle of Wight

When is it?

• First Wednesday of every month, from 4pm - 6pm

How much does it cost?

• These sessions are £15 per month, or £10 if you are in receipt of support services.

How to sign up?

• contact islandmusicmakers@gmail.com to book your place!

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As part of the SCMP-wide CPD and training offer next academic year, we are delighted to be able to host a day of Carbon Literacy Training for Music Educators on Wednesday 5th November 2025 Online.

This course is designed specifically for music educators to gain an awareness of  the climate-related costs and impacts of their activities and to understand how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The training provides practical tools for reducing emissions and integrating sustainability into professional practices.  It will also give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to act to reduce your carbon emissions to support the UKs Net Zero target.

The training will be delivered online through presentations and interactive discussion groups over the course of a whole day in 2x3 hour blocks. This will be followed by the creation of your own personal pledge which will be certified by the course leaders following the training. For music hub staff this certification will be included in the training and will form part of your INSET time for the year but for external partners there will be a small cost of approximately £10 for this.

When is it: Wednesday 5th November 2025

Where is it: Online

Please sign up now via the google form linked in the button below.

Spaces are limited so please sign up ASAP if you would like a secure place on this course.

Carbon Literacy Training

Online CPD training in Carbon Literacy for Music Educators. Spaces are limited.

Sign Up Now