Dress rehearsal underway for Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

After a morning coach journey to London, all 600 performers from Southampton, Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth have arrived at the Royal Albert Hall this afternoon, ready for their momentous performance of Symphony 125 with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Music for Youth Proms this evening.

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For all involved, this is the event of a lifetime, and it has only been made possible thanks to a huge community effort: Associated British Ports have kindly donated a free rehearsal space for all 600 musicians, providing the opportunity to practise together ahead of the big night; Red Funnel and Solent & Wightline Cruises have provided discounted transport, enabling all 200 young musicians (and their friends and family) from the Isle of Wight to make the journey across the Solent; Teachers, musicians, parents and friends have all given countless hours of time and energy to provide rehearsals and lessons ahead of the big night.

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Matt Brombley, Projects and Partnerships Manager for Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, says:
“There is an incredible buzz in the air this afternoon. From the moment we arrived to gasps of amazement on the coaches, through to setting up and rehearsing in our places for this evening: this awe inspiring venue has encouraged each and every young musician to raise the level of their own performance to match their world-class surroundings. We’re so excited to be part of tonight’s stellar lineup, and to share Symphony 125 with the world.”

Ensembles, Family Music, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley5 November 2018Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO), Family Orchestra, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Symphony 125, Photo Gallery

Six hundred performers take part in an unforgettable rehearsal in preparation for Symphony 125

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Yesterday (Saturday 3 November) 600 performers gathered at Mayflower Cruise Terminal for an unforgettable rehearsal ahead of their momentous massed ensemble performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 5 November.

Brought together by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, young musicians from Southampton Music Hub, IOW Music Hub and Soundstorm Music Education Agency rehearsed a brand new piece of music — Symphony 125 — written to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the BSO.

The ensemble represents a huge diversity of sounds: a wide range of instruments — from iPads to violins to trombones and more; a huge range of ages and abilities — from young singers to high-flying young musicians to members of the BSO; and a broad range of backgrounds — players from schools across the region, including those with special educational and physical needs.

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The rehearsal venue for the day — Mayflower Cruise Terminal — has been generously donated by Associated British Ports, enabling all 600 musicians to rehearse together for the day. Red Funnel and Solent & Wightline Cruises have provided discounted transport for the rehearsal and Monday event, enabling all 200 young musicians (and their friends and family) from the Isle of Wight to make the journey across the Solent.

Music in the Community, Music in Schools, Family Music, EnsemblesMatt Brombley4 November 2018Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO), Family Orchestra, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Symphony 125, Photo Gallery

Momentous massed rehearsal gets started at Mayflower Cruise Terminal

Percussionists warming up, ready for rehearsal

At 10am this morning (Saturday 3 November 2018), Mayflower Cruise Terminal plays host to a massive massed rehearsal for 600 musicians from across Southampton, Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth.

Brought together by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, in celebration of their 125th anniversary, they are rehearsing a brand new piece of music — Symphony 125 — which they will perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 5th November.

Views over the Solent provide the backdrop to a momentous rehearsal at Mayflower Cruise Terminal.

ABP Staff have been helping at the rehearsal, generously donating the venue and their time to help 600 musicians rehearse for the performance of a lifetime.

The Mayflower Cruise Terminal has been kindly donated by Associated British Ports (ABP). On a normal working day, the huge departures lounge would be a gateway to the world for cruise travellers. Today, it is the gateway to a once-in-a-life time performance at a world-renowned venue for the performers from across the region.

Members of the Family Orchestra rehearse their parts ahead of the massed rehearsal.

Lottie and Jess, members of the Southampton Family Orchestra, says:
“We’re very excited to be here. It’s so much fun, and we can’t wait for our performance in London. You can really feel the excitement in the room!”

Byron, percussionist in Southampton Youth Orchestra, says:
“Thank you so much to ABP for giving us the opportunity to rehearse in such an amazing space — we hope we have entertained the staff who have looked after us so brilliantly today!”

Two guitarists helping get ready to play their part (in tune) ahead of the massed rehearsal

There are all kinds of instruments being played. This is a photo of an eye-gazer musician practicing his part in a massed ensemble of instruments and voices.

Photo Gallery: Getting ready for a momentous rehearsal at Mayflower Cruise Terminal

Symphony 125 is a joint project from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Southampton Music Hub, IOW Music Hub, and Soundstorm Music Education Agency.

Ensembles, Family Music, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley3 November 2018Stadium Tour, Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS), Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO), Family Orchestra, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Symphony 125, Photo Gallery

New pop music academy launches in the city for 7–17 year olds

Southampton based Sound Pop Academy have launched its singing academy at two locations in its hometown of Southampton for young singers and aspiring performers.

Directors, Mike Evans and Dan Cooper come with a vast amount of experience from the live performance and music industry.

Mike Evans said: “We wanted to create a contemporary, modern and fresh approach to music learning, giving our members opportunities to perform at incredible theatre shows, outdoor events and festivals. There’s nothing out there like it.”

Following the success of their bespoke three day summer workshop in August, Sound Pop Academy have just launched their brand new website which comes with an online members area, where members can view their rehearsal and performance calendar, listen to their harmony parts and take advantage of help and guides whilst at home.

Dan Cooper, who also runs Southampton and Bournemouth based Love Soul Choir said: “Our focus will be on providing first class tuition to our members. Harmony skill, group singing, slick choreography and loads of performance and social opportunities is something we’re really excited about.”

Mike added: “We believe that everybody should be able to access music and high quality music sessions at an affordable price. We’re so excited to be able to offer a Sound Pop Academy membership at just £25.00 per month. No expensive term fees. No expensive weekly classes. No expensive tuition”.

Academies will run at the d.@rt Centre, Wildern Lane from Tuesday 25 September and Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Hill Lane from Thursday 26 September.

More information and free taster session sign up

Sound Pop Academy are a hub partner of Southampton Music Hub, and delivered school-based workshops last year, inspiring young singers through pop music repertoire.

Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley17 September 2018Sound Pop Academy, Hub Partners, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

Celebrating 250,000 inspirational hours of music

As pupils, teachers and families across the city enjoy the final week of the academic year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating a record-breaking year of life-changing music: a year that includes over 22,000 people taking part in 250,000 inspirational hours of music in workshops, events and performances from the Stadium Tour, Everybody Sing and City Ensembles.

Matt Brombley, Projects and Partnerships Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"It's been another incredible year for music in Southampton. The hub's achievements are only possible thanks to all the schools, staff, partners and families across the city that share the belief that making music makes lives better, and work together to share that life-changing power of music with every child."

Ensembles, Family Music, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley16 July 2018Stadium Tour, Everybody Sing, Training and Resources, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

Eighteen string players join Laurel Swift for a creative folk music workshop

Folk musician Laurel Swift leads a workshop with Southampton's young string players

On Sunday 17 June, young musicians from Southampton Music Hub’s string ensembles and beyond were invited to take part in a day-long folk music workshop lead by traditional musician and dancer, Laurel Swift.

The participants had the choice of starting with a slow, melancholic Andro (French dance tune) or an upbeat English Jig: they chose the former! All of the music, harmonies and chords were taught by ear. Once the children had a firm grasp of the tune, as well as various ways to harmonise it, they split into groups to develop their own arrangement ideas using the techniques they had learnt.

Following a round of performances and a short lunch break, they learnt a ‘lumpy’ English Jig called “The Rogues March” which was then arranged for the group as a whole, with each musician bringing their own ideas to the performance.

The day ended with an informal performance to friends and family.

Maya, Vita and Zoey, members of Elgar/SYS said:
“The tunes were really fun. We really liked playing in small groups because we got to meet new people and experiment with new ideas and ways of playing our instruments.We learnt the importance of feeling the pulse, especially in dance music. We also really enjoyed playing by ear and not needing to use music.The feedback from peers was really useful, and Laurel was an amazing teacher.”

Chris Nichols, Director of Acorn Strings said:
“It was really great to see all of the participants working so creatively when developing their arrangements. Every performance was unique and everyone showed a different side to their playing. The day was a wonderful introduction to traditional folk music, and an experience I hope the children take into their own music making. Thank you to Laurel for making the day such a success.”

For more about Laurel Swift visit her website.

For further folk music resources visit the English Folk Dance and Song Society website.

Ensembles, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley19 June 2018Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Photo Gallery

Thirteen young brass players get an inspirational day of music with the Royal Marines School of Music

Young brass musicians from Southampton, alongside Southampton Music Hub teacher, Jon Hanchett and other musicians from the Low Brass Day

On Saturday 5th May, 13 students, along with Southampton Music Hub teacher, John Hanchett traveled to the Royal Marines School Of Music in Portsmouth for their Low Brass Day. The day, which was organised by the Royal Marine Band Service and the British Trombone Society brought four of the countries finest low brass players together with local musicians. Around 100 Tuba, Euphonium, Baritone, Bass and Tenor Trombones started the morning by forming a huge ensemble creating a loud and majestic sound.

Each of the four international soloists led masterclasses, focusing on different aspects of brass playing. Bass Trombonist, Simon Minshall led a session exploring the bass trombonist role within Wagner’s Ring cycle, wowing people with his Contrabass Trombone playing. Robbie Harvey shared his jazz background, giving tips of how to explore improvisation. Robbie also performed several pieces backed by a jazz combo from the Royal Marines.

Following a break for lunch, when students took the opportunity to look around School of Music and visit the trade stands — enjoying having a go at playing Soprano trombones and sousaphones among other instruments, Tuba virtuoso, Les Neish gave an interesting session focusing on advanced breathing techniques, and included them in daily practice.

Finally world renowned Euphonium star, David Childs delivered a session on performance skills, taking about presentation. To conclude the day, all those taking part formed the large low brass ensemble again playing a piece composed for this event which featured the four fabulous soloists.

John Hanchett says:
“It was an inspirational event, an utterly fantastic opportunity to hear playing of the highest caliber. I’m sure all the students will be taking tips from today into their own practice and performance. The young musicians had a fantastic day, and were also a credit to their parents and schools with how they engaged with this Low Brass Day."

Music in the Community, EnsemblesMatt Brombley9 May 2018Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

National success for two of Southampton's gifted young musicians

Two Southampton Music Hub Award Holder students, tuba player Morro Barry and bassoon player Lucy Gowans, are celebrating after national recognition for their musical talents.

It was after taking part in a project with the Chineke! Orchestra in November that Morro, aged 13, was invited to audition for the Chineke! Junior Orchestra: an orchestra run by the Chineke! Foundation, which supports young Black and Minority Ethnic classical musicians across Europe. After a successful Skype interview with Chinke! founder, Chi Chi Okinawa, Morro has been invited to join the Chineke! Junior Orchestra this Spring.

After auditioning from the National Children's Orchestra at the end of last year, Lucy, aged 11, has been offered places in both the under 12s national orchestra and the regional orchestra. Both orchestras are run by the highly acclaimed National Children's Orchestra, which provides a world class foundation in orchestra performance and musicianship to musically talented children in the UK aged 7-14.

Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"I'm delighted that two Award Holder students from our city's youth orchestras and bands are also being recognised at a national level: the whole team offer their congratulations to the students on all the hard work that has led to their success. Southampton Music Hub is dedicated to supporting all young musicians to reach their fullest potential, and thanks to the support of music teachers and the Award Holder scheme, it is wonderful to see two young players reach such great heights of musical development."

Both Morro and Lucy will be appearing as soloists in the Southampton Concert Wind Band performance on Sunday 29 April at All Saint's Church in Botley."

Ensembles, Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley20 February 2018Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

SEND Music Advisor to improve access to life-changing music across the city

Southampton Music Hub and Southampton Inclusion Partnership (SIP) are working together to pilot a new SEND Music Advisor role in the city. The role will help improve access to music for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Kelly Jo Peters, who is the music teacher at Great Oaks School, a Specialist Lead Educator in SEND Music for SIP and a national SEND Music consultant, will be taking on the role, supporting the city’s special schools and inclusion units to help every young musician reach their fullest potential, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
“We’re delighted to work with Southampton Inclusion Partnership and Kelly Jo Peters as part of our ongoing commitment to improve access to music for children with additional needs: recognising the unique challenges they face and valuing the unique contribution they can make. Kelly Jo’s expertise and experience mean she is uniquely placed to help deliver our ambitious plans for 2018–20 and beyond.”

Kelly Jo Peters, SEND Music Advisor for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"Music is my passion and sharing that passion to help others develop their musicality is my lifelong goal. In this new role as SEND Music Advisor, I will help children with additional needs access increasing music learning opportunities and experiences. This role enables me to work with the city's special schools and inclusion units, as well as arts organisations, in order to support the Southampton Music Hub and SIP in delivering a dynamic and engaging music programme for SEND."

Janina Spencer Assistant Head from the Southampton Inclusion Partnership says:
"Working in partnership with the Southampton Music Hub will further SIP's purpose in developing inclusive opportunities for pupils across Southampton. Kelly Jo (SIP SLE) is extremely experienced in the field of music with SEN and mainstream so her expertise will be invaluable. It will be exciting to watch music develop for all"

Kelly Jo Peters and the Great Oaks iPad band performing at Portsmouth Guildhall

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley17 November 2017First Access, Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Training and Resources

Chineke! to celebrate diversity with Southampton’s young musicians

Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Chineke! Orchestra. Image by Mark Allen

Chineke! — Europe's first professional majority Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) orchestra, founded by the double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE — is working with Southampton Music Hub and Turner Sims to give school pupils in Southampton an extraordinary musical experience.

Pupils from Southampton schools will participate in a series of workshops in the lead up to Chineke!’s public performance at Turner Sims, on Thursday 23 November 2017.

To coincide with Black History Month in October, pupils from three Southampton schools will learn a newly commissioned arrangement of Symphony No 2, L’Amant Anonyme by Joseph Boulogne (Le Chevalier de Saint Georges), an extraordinary man who was not only an accomplished 18th century black composer and virtuoso violinist but also a celebrated fencer, athlete, soldier and political activist in Paris and across Europe.

This November, members of Chineke! Orchestra will join pupils in their schools and work together to learn the piece by Boulogne, as well as composing a new piece of music inspired by his life. The project culminates in a large-scale performance for schools on Thursday 23 November, with over 150 young musicians playing alongside Chineke! musicians at Central Hall, Southampton. The performance comes ahead of Chineke!’s concert at Turner Sims the same evening.

The scheme aims to give the students inspiration and confidence during their formative years, with the hope of increasing the numbers of black and minority ethnic students studying music in higher education.

Nia Collins, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"We’re delighted to give pupils from Southampton the experience of not only listening to, but performing alongside, some of the best BME musicians in the world. Southampton is an incredibly diverse place, and in recognition of the contribution BME musicians make to our city, we are delighted to subsidise music lessons for young BME musicians taking part in the project, to support them as they continue making music. Video from the day will go out to schools, alongside pieces of music, meaning that every child in the city will be able to play along with, and celebrate, the contribution of BME composers and musicians to classical music."

Kevin Appleby, Concert Hall Manager at Turner Sims says:
"I’m thrilled that as part of Chineke!’s first visit to Turner Sims, we can bring some of the orchestra’s highly regarded learning and participation work to Southampton schools, providing children with inspiring encounters with world-class musicians. The project builds on the work we have done over a number of years, together with Southampton Music Hub and the national music charity Orchestras Live, in profiling orchestral music across the city. We’re grateful to Arts Council England for their support of Chineke!’s work which has enabled this innovative project to happen."

Ishani O’Connor, Learning and Participation Manager, Chineke! Foundation says:
"It is wonderful for Chineke! to be involved in such an ambitious collaboration with the Music Hub and Turner Sims, and to reach so many children in Southampton. Chineke! Learning and Participation has been working hard this year to support music education across the UK and to encourage young BME musicians to keep playing and practising their instruments. We want to give BME musicians opportunities to meet and listen to Chineke! classical musicians from backgrounds similar to their own, to show them that with hard work and determination, they too can belong on the best stages in the world. These mentorships directly fulfil Chineke!’s aim to champion change and celebrate diversity in classical music."

To book tickets for Chineke!’s performance at Turner Sims on Thursday 23 November at 8pm call the Turner Sims Box Office on 023 8059 5151 or visit https://www.turnersims.co.uk/events/chineke/

Find out more about Chineke!: www.chineke.org, @Chineke4Change (on Twitter) and /chinekefoundation (on Facebook)

Find out more about Chineke!’s Learning and Participation work: https://musicworkshopcompany.wordpress.com

Music in Schools, Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley3 November 2017Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

Cavantina offer free youth tickets at Turner Sims

Through the generous support of the Cavantina Chamber Music Trust Turner Sims are able to offer young people aged between 8 and 25 the fantastic opportunity to experience selected chamber concerts absolutely free.

Music in the CommunityMatt Brombley10 October 2017Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

Hundreds join together in Guildhall Square to celebrate Southampton's musical diversity

On Saturday, Southampton Music Hub's Groove Merchant and Ukulele groups were joined by Delicious Sounds Choir, Sing Out Choir, Highfield Singing Club, Soton Voce and hundreds of community singers, musicians and audience members to take part in a celebration of Southampton's musical and cultural diversity. The event, which took part in Guildhall Square as part of the Music in the City Festival, saw hundreds joining in with 'Singing in the City': a specially commissioned song which was performed by youth and community choirs from across the city.

Nia Collins, who led the choirs on the day, says:
"This was an incredible event which brought together musicians, singers and audiences from across Southampton to celebrate the rich musical diversity that makes our city such an incredible place to live in together."

You can view photographs of the event on the Daily Echo website, and a report on Music in the city will be featured on South Today this week.

Music in Schools, Music in the Community, Family Music, EnsemblesMatt Brombley9 October 2017Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Ukulele — Shirley, Ukulele — Sholing, Groove Merchant, Family Singing, Everybody Sing

iPad Concerto project off to an exciting start at Shirley Warren Primary School

On Friday 8 September, year 6 pupils at Shirley Warren took part in their first iPad concerto workshop, where they were joined by members of the Són orchestra, spoken word artist and musician Ricky Tart, and Southampton Music Hub's Music Technology Leader, Matt Brombley. The afternoon started with all sixty pupils making music together, creating music with their instruments and voices. Then in group workshops, pupils made new musical ideas using their voices, iPads, and instruments. Over the next three weeks, Shirley Warren's Head of Music, Helen Mead, will help pupils develop and refine their ideas, which have been inspired by their class topic of World War Two, ready to bring everything together into a brand new piece of music in October.

Matt Brombley, Music Technology Leader for Southampton Music Hub says:
"This is an exciting and ambitious new project, which is giving Shirley Warren pupils the chance to create music alongside incredible musicians, including Robin Browning, musical director of Són, and Ricky Tart. Thanks to the expertise of Helen Mead, we're able to pair inspirational workshops with work in the classroom, which we hope will boost pupils' ambitions and support deeper learning."

Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley11 September 2017Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Music Technology

Inspiring music assemblies to start the new year at Cantell School

Teachers and musicians from Southampton Music Hub led music assemblies at Cantell School this week, starting the new term with inspiring music performances that encouraged pupils to take up learning an instrument. Alongside performances for over 300 pupils in year 7 and 8, pupils are also being offered taster sessions to get hands-on, and give playing a new instrument a try.

Thanks to @MusicHubSouth for inspiring assemblies! Music so important here. Just ask Will @coldplay Russel&Matt @bandofskulls & Joe @alt_J pic.twitter.com/qZCcgEJkCE
— Cantell School (@CantellSchool) September 7, 2017

And Jack&Milo @porticoquartet to name a few! #culturalcapital #musicforlife #cantellandproud
— Cantell School (@CantellSchool) September 7, 2017

Music in SchoolsMatt Brombley8 September 2017Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

A new school year means an exciting year of life-changing music

As the new school year starts, Southampton Music Hub is working in schools and across the community to deliver its ambitious programme of life-changing music for the year ahead. Through first access, instrumental and vocal tuition and city ensembles, every child has the opportunity to perform and progress. Through the Stadium Tour, every child will have access to inspiring and inclusive music experiences, with world class musicians touring around the city's schools. Everybody Sing will help everyone to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of singing . The Family Music Programme — including Family Singing and a new Family Rock Jam, along with the return of the Family Orchestra — will help all families share the life-changing power of making music together.