Young Islanders Find Their Voice Through Songwriting Workshops

Young people from two Isle of Wight schools took part in a series of inspiring singing and songwriting workshops last week as part of a collaboration between Fairest Isle Festival and Southampton and Isle of Wight Music.

Led by musicians and singers Ella Rainbird-Earley and Sam Gilliat, the workshops with students from LIFT Ryde and Hunnyhill Primary School explored singing, collaboration and songwriting.

At LIFT Ryde, students from Year 7 through to sixth form worked together to reimagine the lyrics of Baroque composer Purcell’s iconic song Fairest Isle (an perfect Festival title link!), rewriting the words to reflect their own experiences of growing up on the Isle of Wight.

Nia Collins from Southampton & Isle of Wight Music said:

“The resulting lyrics were searingly honest, offering powerful and deeply personal insights into life as a young person on the island today. The workshops gave students the opportunity not only to develop their vocal technique, sing in parts and harmony but also to learn how to collaborate creatively and shape a song together from scratch.”’

Ella and Sam were praised for their energy, encouragement and the expertise they brought to the sessions, helping students grow in confidence and express themselves through music.

The songs created during the workshops will go on to feature as part of the music hub’s Songs of Place playlist for Creative Island’s Can You Hear Us? place-based partnership project in Autumn 2026.

The collaboration highlights the power of music to amplify young voices and create meaningful opportunities for creativity, connection and self-expression across the Isle of Wight.