On Saturday 2 October, children and their families got to take part in iPad music-making workshops with Southampton Music Hub as part of the Mayflower Studios’ ‘Festival of Loveliness’.
In the workshops, participants used Garageband to create electronic soundscapes inspired by movies and video games. Listen to some of the recordings below:
At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience.
The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.
Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.
So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.
This week, there have been four stories shared to celebrate the resilience of young songwriters, music hub partners, music teachers, and young performers.
And, we’re closing the year with one final, very special performance. Premiering live, at 7pm!
Join Southampton Youth Brass Band and Kanes Hill School for their performance of ‘Let’s Get Loud’, a performance that is a shining example of resilience.
The resilience of the young musicians in Southampton Youth Brass Band (SYBB) who made music together virtually, when they could not be together in person.
The resilience of the young musicians at Kanes Hill School, continuing their lessons online, then in person, and now, playing together again.
The resilience of the music teachers and leaders who imagined and then made possible a performance that meets the challenges of changing Covid restrictions and social distancing
The resilience of a music hub and a school who see the huge impact that music can make to children and young people, and who work hard to support them to succeed, whatever their background or circumstances
Looking back on the past year, Kath Page, Manager for Southampton Music Hub, shares:
This year, we have learnt so much more about what resilience really means.
Resilience requires us to acknowledge and accept our experiences and our emotions, and as we heard on Monday, our young songwriters are doing exactly that.
Resilience means having the grit to keep going, even when things get hard, and 10 Minute Sign & Sing is a shining example of that.
Resilience requires us to learn new skills, to make ourselves ready for the challenges that life throws at us. The whole team has learnt so much this year, and it has made incredible things possible.
Finally, resilience means reaching out to share a connection with others. Whether it has been online, or face-to-face, our young musicians have been incredible at doing this in their music lessons, their virtual performances, and finally, once again, back in front of a live audience.
I’m so proud of the resilience everyone has shown this year in the face of such huge challenges. I hope you enjoy our final performance before the summer!”
At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience.
The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.
Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.
So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.
Over the past year, Groove Foundation have been recording regular videos from their living rooms and bedrooms at home, to share on the music hub YouTube channel.
Elliot, the lead singer, explains:
“It was a bit weird at first, because you don’t know what it will sound like until it all comes together. When I’m recording, it’s just me singing and I have no idea how it will sound. Knowing my performance was being recorded, I would work hard to get everything sounding just right. I would kick mum and dad out to the garden to make sure the sound recording was really clear, and keep retaking until I got it right.”
“Elliot really took the videos on as a personal mission” adds Groove Foundation band leader Aidan, who also edited together the band’s video performances.
The virtual performances had an unexpected benefit too, as Elliot explains:
“My friends often can’t come to our live performances, but they have been able to watch the videos all year. We get excited for the premier, and then it’s really fun to see it all sounding great together.”
Over the past year, Elliot has also been able to have music lessons to help develop her singing, thanks to funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund. Elliot tells us what a difference this has made:
“It’s been so cool to have singing lessons to help me improve. Being in Groove Foundation is what got me into singing properly, and now I’m getting better all the time.”
Last week, Groove Foundation returned to a real life stage, after over a year away, with an eight song set at The Point. Elliot tells us what it was like:
“It was really fun to be back. It’s the best feeling. The whole band is there, you can hear everyone again, and you turn around and can see everyone else enjoying themselves. I had to remember to look after my voice though. You can’t take a break like you can when you’re recording at home!”
And it’s not just on stage that being back with the band makes a huge difference. Elliot again:
“It’s so fun to see everyone, deciding the set list, making choices as a band, and helping each other out again. We’re there to support each other after the show too, to share the excitement, and chat about how things went.”
Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub adds:
“Elliot, and her bandmates in Groove Foundation are inspirational examples of the resilience so many young musicians have shown this year. We know how hard it has been, missing out on so many of the shared experiences that make music-making so enjoyable, but they have done an exceptional job keeping things going online, with their impressive video performances, and then returning to the stage this summer.”
It’s not just Groove Foundation that have been back on stage. This summer, music hub bands, orchestras and other groups have been rehearsing and performing together again. If you’d like to join a music group, then find out more on our ensembles page.
At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience.
The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.
Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.
So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.
John Hanchett conducting an inclusive orchestra at the Mayflower Theatre in 2019.
It has been a challenging year for everyone, but music teachers and leaders across the city have shown incredible resilience.
Having moved music lessons online in the previous year, they moved them back into schools in September. They moved them back online in January, again, then back into school again in March. Every step along the way, teachers and music leaders have been determined to keep music-making going, wherever, and however they can.
One such teacher has been John HancHett. John teaches brass, cello, piano and leads some school orchestras, and has been at the heart of moving not just music lessons online, but virtual performances too.
In December, when we lived in tired restrictions, John arranged, virtually conducted, and edited together ‘A Million Dreams’ — bringing together over 50 young musicians of all ages and abilities, from across Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
John explains:
“It was important to me that everyone who wanted to take part was able to take part, so I created an arrangement with parts for all instruments and abilities. There was a lot to learn when bringing such a big virtual performance together for the first time, but I was delighted by how it came out. The joy came from featuring the vast array of instruments, played by young musicians who were carrying on playing through such a difficult time. I wanted them to have something to be really proud of at the end of a difficult year.”
In January, and throughout the Spring Lockdown, John, along with all Southampton Music Service Tutors, moved their music lessons online again, as they had done the previous year.
“It was great to be able to get new learners face-to-face in September. And with so many new learners and those carrying on from last year, when lockdown two happened in January, we hit the ground running: teaching day one of lockdown. This was the pay off from all the groundwork laid last year: we never missed a week. This has been an awful year in so many ways, but it has also been a powerful year for teaching: it has been really motivating to learn new things and face new challenges in such difficult circumstances.”
And, when schools returned to full opening in Spring, lessons returned to face-to-face:
“Returning in the Spring was not always easy. There were restrictions around social distancing and school bubbles which have been huge logistical challenges. It was so wonderful to see those young musicians who could carry on online pick back up right away, and carry on making progress. But there were also challenges for those who hadn't been able to learn online, and had missed out on so much. I’m not alone here, I know many other teachers do this tooL we just give the extra time to make it work sometimes!”
And at the end of the year, John brought together “Get Loud” a virtual performance which debuts on Friday night, with young musicians from Southampton Youth Brass Band and Kanes Hill School.
“Get Loud is only possible because of everything that we’ve learnt over the past year. It’s a performance that has the best of both worlds — online recordings, plus face-to-face music lessons, workshops and recordings, before coming back together in the virtual world. This is something far bigger and more ambitious than we’ve done before, and it brings together musicians in a way that would not have been possible just a year ago.”
At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience.
The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.
Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.
So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.
When Covid restrictions in schools meant that singing assemblies were cancelled, and singing in the classroom was much trickier, then Southampton Music Hub responded with a brand new initiative called “10 Minute Sign & Sing”.
It’s ten minutes long, because Covid guidance says to keep singing short; there is sign language with every video, so that when you can’t sing, you can sign along; and it’s in video format so anyone can take part, anywhere (yes, even if your bubble has been sent home!). Also, many of the songs also celebrate and encourage those taking part to show and grow the inner strengths that make us more resilient.
The project has been a huge hit, clocking up thousands of Youtube views, and reaching across the country.
Nia Collins, Vocal Coordinator, says:
“The health and wellbeing benefits of singing and making music with others are well known, and they are even more important at a time when young people are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. It’s been so inspiring to see them enjoying music, celebrating their achievements, and being part of something the hub has made to help them carry on singing!”
10 Minute Sign & Sing is just one example of the way digital resources have kept music making going in schools this year. Because these resources are digital, a huge range of hub partners and others have been able to share their unique musical perspectives, including Folk Active, Alexander D Great, Welsh National Opera and more. Plus, they’re available for schools to use next year, and far into the future!
At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience.
The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.
Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.
So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.
After Covid disrupted face-to-face music-making, and left young people missing out on so many normal opportunities, Southampton Music Hub responded with a brand new, online songwriting and music production offer, allowing young people to work with a new, more diverse team, of talented young producers to write songs, make beats and rap.
The young people — many of whom have been offered the opportunity to take part from their social worker, NHS team or other support network — have been developing their skills, expressing themselves in the tracks they write, and now, are helping to choose what the programme looks like going forward.
Chris a young producer and songwriter, explains why he wrote his new song, ‘Avalanche’.
“Avalanche is a song about going through struggles of life and difficult times. I wanted to write this song to reach out to other people going through a hard time, to let them know they’re not alone. I’m going to be going into the studio in September to record the full version, including working with a singer to add the chorus.”
“Forty thoughts a second, can’t hold my mind
Spitting these rhymes, ahead of the times
Iceberg with a dark side, on the flip side, I’m a nice guy
Like a cuppa tea, steam floats to the sky
Hanging off a balcony
Cold air made the heat die”
Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
“From the team supporting them, to the young people taking part, everyone involved has shown incredible resilience. We know that music is a powerful way to explore and express your emotions. This year, more than ever, that creative outlet has been a place we see young people rise to the challenge of learning new skills, facing up to their emotional experiences, and turning that into exciting new music.”
Southampton Wind Band had the honour of being the first Southampton Music Hub ensemble to perform in person in almost 500 days!
Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager, says:
”What a performance it was, with music from The Incredibles through to a tribute to Ennio Morriconi who died last year. The band sounded amazing, portraying the mood and characteristics of each piece at a level well beyond their years. Of course, in true outdoor concert tradition, it did rain, but even this wasn't going to put the band off from playing to the highest level.”
Groove Merchant perform at The Point.
On Wednesday 14 July. Groove Merchant and Groove Foundation performed at The Point in Eastleigh to an audience of family and friends.
Aidan Hampson Director of the bands, says:
”I have been with the bands for over ten years now and this year has been by far the most challenging. It has been amazing to see the tenacity and resilience displayed by the members of both bands.”
The same night Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) was also performing for the first time in 18 months.
Zoe Hunting explains:
”SYCS’ Prom on the Pitch saw the orchestra play outside at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, supported by friends and family who were encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the show. The orchestra presented an uplifting, high energy programme opening with a Tribute to the King(Elvis Presley) and closing with a medley of How to Train your Dragon. The concert had a real sense of occasion and celebration for everyone involved.”
Anna Robinson, Director of SYCS, adds:
“Prom on the Pitch was such a special occasion for everyone involved. It has been such a difficult year for everybody and it was a huge privilege to end our season with such a high energy concert which truly celebrates SYCS and the amazing young musicians. The orchestra put on such a fantastic concert and I am extremely proud of each and every person who took part and really appreciate the support from friends and family, both on concert day and throughout this year.”
The musicians themselves were all very glad to be performing to an audience again, as Beth Wilkinson, Double Bass, tells us:
“Performing as an ensemble was something that we had all missed, so getting to do it for the first time in two years was a very special experience. Despite the frequent interruptions from passing traffic, it was a lot of fun and something that both the performers and the audience will not forget!”
"Being back has made me realise how much I missed the sound of happiness. This has been the highlight of my 2021. It's so nice to finally hear how my part fits into the pieces. My time in lockdown has helped me to realise how much I value being part of an ensemble. To be able to play as a unit and create music is a true feeling words can't describe"
Southampton Youth Orchestra perform at Romsey Abbey.
Southampton Music Hub’s final performance for this school year was given by Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO) on 17 July at Romsey Abbey as the final performance in the 2021 Romsey Music Festival.
Kath Page, Music Hub Manager, shares:
”The pieces performed enabled the different sections to show their individual mastery and musicianship, giving performances professional musicians would have been proud of. The performance finished with a stirring performance of the Vaughan-Williams Pastoral symphony, with the youth orchestra capturing the poignancy behind the piece written in the wake of WW1 beautifully. “
Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager says:
"It has been amazing to hear some of our hub ensembles performing again after so long. Even more fantastic has been the incredibly high standard all the young musicians have performed to, especially given most of their rehearsals have been online during this academic year and with only a handful of full ensemble rehearsals just before the concerts. The dedication and commitment shown by these young musicians and all the staff is something Southampton should be very proud of"
As announced in the Daily Echo last week, Starting in September, pupils at three Southampton primary schools will be getting lessons in rap and hip hop alongside their other subjects thanks to a £65,000 grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
The project is being led by Southampton Music Hub, and will see pupils and teachers from Bassett Green, St Monica and Weston Park Primary Schools work with inspirational rap artist Rob Bradley.
Matt Brombley, Development Manager from Southampton Music Hub, explains:
“Rap is the perfect artform for this project because, to be a successful rapper, you have to blend so many important skills and qualities. It requires both written and spoken language development; rhythmic and melodic flow; as well as self understanding and self expression. Young people in the city tell us they love rap music, and we’re tapping into that enthusiasm to help make sure that what happens in the classroom is as exciting and inspiring as the music they’re passionate about.”
The project goes much deeper than performances and workshops, and will see class teachers bring rap music into weekly music and english lessons too.
Rob Bradley, Rap Artist, explains:
“This project is so exciting because we will have time to develop relationships throughout the year. Over this time, pupils will develop their ideas and build their confidence, with teachers getting the support they need to deliver their own authentic and engaging rap lessons. I really look forward to meeting pupils and can’t wait to see what they write!”
Kath Page, Manager of Southampton Music Hub adds:
“This is a unique project, both in design and outcomes. We are using music to help pupils who may struggle in other areas of school life. This is a real collaborative process, with the hub working closely with Rob, and schools, to make the outcomes even more meaningful."
The project has been supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, whose significant investment will help pupils to benefit from the same inspirational power of music which changed Rob’s life growing up.
Catherine Sutton, Head of Programme - Education, explains
“PHF is delighted to be able to support this project, which will bring together children, teachers and musicians to explore how a co-constructed approach to embedding rap into Music and Literacy learning can support children’s engagement, enjoyment and progress in learning.”
Rob Bradley shares more:
“Like many young people I needed an outlet for my thoughts and emotions when I was growing up. When I discovered rap music around age nine I fell in love. It was a world of limitless self expression. The rappers I listened to had a hypnotic mix of passionate performance, captivating stories and clever one liners.”
“Young people can have complex ideas. They are coming to terms with their identity and their place in the world. They need tools to be able to express their developing thoughts. I hope to inspire young people to write. I want them to pay attention to their use of language. I want them to be confident enough to perform and own their work, and I want them to have fun whilst doing it.”
James Baillie, Cabinet Member for Education at Southampton City Council (SCC), says
"At SCC we are determined to provide the best possible start to life and opportunities for our young people. This exciting project is an excellent example of creatively using the power of music and a medium they love to provide the children with key skills they need. I look forward to seeing the results!"
Ahead of UK Music’s “MAPping the Future” conference on the 16 June — an exciting programme of free online sessions for young people aged 16+ interested in a career in the music industry — Southampton Music Hub are sharing some links to help young people in the city explore a future in the music and creative industries.
As Matt Brombley, Development Manager, explains:
”Young people on our mentoring programme are asking us how they can set themselves up for a future career in music, and , with some help from Oli Morris at UK Music, we’ve pulled together some tools that will help them to plan and take their next steps towards a successful future as creative professionals.”
Use this website from Creative & Cultural Skills to help identify the perfect future role for you!
Use this pack from UK Music to help you identify and plan your next steps.
Southampton Music Hub’s mentoring team can help you develop your skills, and move forward on your musical journey.
As we approach World Music Day on Monday 21 June 2021 Southampton Music Hub is sharing some fantastic resources and projects you can take part in, to celebrate all things music in school or at home!
Whether in a class bubble, learning at home, or as whole school, you can participate in this project. All ages and abilities are welcome to take part: from pre-school right up to secondary school.
Join in as a instrumental performer using resources created by the hub and featuring Southampton Youth Brass Band as your backing track! All you need to do it:
Choose a part from the resources which matches your ability
Record yourself playing along
If you don’t play an instrument, you can still sing along over at the Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing page where you will find a tuition video to learn body percussion and Makaton signs, instructions on how to take part and a form to upload your videos.
Entries can be from individual pupils, a class or bubble, all the bubbles in a school individually or your whole school and you can send us as many entries as you like!
Why not learn this original song written by hub composer Jo Downs, especially for World Music day? You can find it in the Everybody Sing Song Bank. Alternatively browse the entire Everybody Sing Song Bank with new search buttons to help teachers find something to suit your class, year group or assembly.
Southampton Music Hub’s bank of digital music workshop content is also available for you to find something to suit your setting and have an exciting World Music Day — especially if you bring everyone together where you are to enjoy the power of singing together.
Nia Collins Music Hub Relationship Manager says:
“Alongside the well-known academic and wellbeing benefits, music is such a fantastic way to foster a sense of community within your setting, even when classes are still divided by bubbles or current restrictions. I can’t wait to see how you have been celebrating this event in your schools!”
With changes to guidance allowing, more young musicians across the city are returning to face-to-face rehearsals for their bands, orchestras and other musical groups this week.
As so many young musicians shared in out “In Conversation” series over the past few months, the opportunity to be amongst friends and fellow musicians, making music together, is something they love, and something they couldn’t wait to get back to.
Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager, says:
”We are delighted that the change in the Out of Schools Settings Guidance this week has enabled us to increase the size of our groups that can now rehearse together. It has simply been fantastic to hear our ensembles back in action again this term and even more so this week with the larger groups. This also means our younger ensembles can now start recruiting new players. If you know a young musician who would like to get involved please get in touch.”
Over the past three months, online songwriting and production mentoring sessions have been a huge success, helping young people write songs, create beats, and produce their own tracks.
For some of the young people taking part, the process of writing songs has not just been about the music at the end, but about finding ways to better understand their mental health journeys, and, with the help of their mentors, write lyrics which help make sense of some of the struggles of the past year.
“Mentoring sessions are a relaxed space to try new things — I’m free to be myself and express my ideas. I was anxious when I first started, but the mentors are super chill and helpful.”
As Chris, one young songwriter explains: ”Mentoring sessions are a relaxed space to try new things — I’m free to be myself and express my ideas. I was anxious when I first started, but the mentors are super chill and helpful.”
Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub adds: ”It’s been so powerful to see young people discover songwriting as a way of processing and understanding their thoughts, feelings and circumstances. I know that for me, songwriting has been a place where I can get lost when life feels overwhelming; a place where I can say with music, what feels impossible to say with words. It is so exciting to see young people and their mentors find purpose in sharing that process together.”
The Everybody Sing Song Bank has loads of great songs to help children and young people feel healthier and happier through singing together, and this Mental Health Awareness Week, here’s a few highlights:
As rehearsals move from online back to in-person, the final conversation in this series is with Anna Robinson (director), Sarah Perrott (assistant director) and players from the music hub’s windband Airplay. During lockdown Airplay joined together with the equivalent group from the Isle of Wight, Airwaves.
What have the aims been for both groups whilst rehearsals have been online?
AR - The primary aims for both groups have been to have fun making music whilst also making new friendships between both new players within their own ensemble and the IOW bands.
How have you been able to achieve these?
AR - We have been working from the Charanga Take off beginner's wind band series, a set of really fun high energy repertoire (I have learnt the bands particularly enjoy pushing the tempo up to 150%!) We have also done a range of social activities including a house scavenger hunt.
What have you enjoyed about online rehearsals?
Player A - Very friendly chat at the beginning and everyone can contribute on how fast they want to play
What skills have you had to develop for online rehearsals that you didn't previously need?
Player B - Playing along with background music
What has been the best moment been for the bands whilst working online?
AR - The great energy everyone has brought to the rehearsals week on week and the collaboration which has come out of this as a result.
SP - The laughter! We have consistently laughed and giggled our way through rehearsals, even when the tech failed us, we have still found a way around it. The positivity and acceptance by the musicians whenever anything goes wrong, has been so encouraging and made what on the face of it was a massive and almost impossible task with such young players, become a completely enjoyable experience!
How have the staff from Airplay and Airwaves made the online rehearsals enjoyable?
Player B - Lovely relaxing atmosphere
Player C – quizzes etc
What has it meant joining Airplay and Airwaves together for rehearsals?
AR - The joining of the bands is something really special that has come out of this unusual situation. Each week we have not only tackled a huge range of music including a virtual performance of A Million Dreams, but we have also had a huge amount of fun and laughs along the way! I know highlights for the band have been air guitaring to one of our favourite pieces 'Rock Out', home percussion disco break in 'Pink Lady' and the great online scavenger hunt. We have formed a great team and are really excited to do a collaborative play day in person when we are able to as well as a joint residential weekend.
SP - We have built a community that will transfer in the future from an online digital experience to a physical ensemble of friends playing music together. The musicians are keen to meet up with each other, and we as staff are very keen to do a airwaves seabreeze and airplay performance altogether, as soon as we are allowed. It will be a fantastic experience for us all.
This week’s conversation is with two rock bands, Groove Foundation and Groove Merchant who have been producing monthly virtual performances since last summer. Here we talk to the director of both bands Aidan Hampson, one of the vocal coaches Hannah Castleman, and some of players from both bands.
Please take time to listen to some of the bands virtual performances which can be found on the events page of the Southampton Music Hub website - https://www.southamptonmusichub.org/events/
Both Groove bands have been producing monthly virtual performances. Why did you decide to work towards regular virtual performances?
AH - We decided to see the lockdown and online rehearsals as a new challenge. How can we still make music together without being in the same room? We’ve all been really pleased with how the videos have turned out, but we’ve also been rehearsing new repertoire for when we can all get back together.
What have you enjoyed about working towards virtual performances?
Player A - It's good to see an output from all the rehearsing.
Player B - I have enjoyed releasing the music online for people to be able to watch and still enjoy the music we produce. As well as that, it is nice to still be able to participate in Groove Merchant even if we are unable to practice in person.
What has impressed you most about the bands whilst they have been working online?
AH - The resilience of the musicians has been inspiring. There’s nothing quite like making music in the same room as each other, and when this was no longer possible the bands seamlessly moved into online rehearsals - it became the new normal very quickly and demonstrated their tenacity towards producing music whatever the odds.
HC - I have been really impressed by the students' dedication to learning the songs and their ability to work together even though they are working remotely. They communicate well and come up with clear and exciting ideas for harmonies. They respond well to the challenge of working on singing together, even though they won't be singing together until the video is edited!
What have the challenges been running online rehearsals?
AH - Not being able to play at the same time without muting the students has been frustrating. With such small groups, there is a different type of relationship between the players as opposed to the larger ensembles. It has been challenging to keep that going, but I’m sure that the videos show that the students managed it brilliantly.
HC - It's really tricky working on things like harmonies, articulation and dynamics when it's not always clear over camera/microphone, or when students can't actually perform together in these situations. However, the students are really happy to try things out and have adapted well to working differently. I'm really looking forward to them being able to perform again - I think they will be so surprised to hear what they have achieved and how it really will translate very well into a live performance!
Player C - Obviously we can’t actually run through our songs because of the delay so I’ve missed being able to feel the sound from the drums and other guitars and have that live music atmosphere
In the absence of being able to meet in person, what have you enjoyed about online rehearsals?
Player C - I have enjoyed that we have been able to get through a lot more songs in a shorter period of time as we are now going towards much more challenging and fun songs for the band
Player D - Being able to stay home and rehearse without travelling to the rehearsal room.
What have the challenges been producing regular virtual performances for the bands.
AH - This has been the first time that the students have had to work with click tracks so closely. They have also had to consider video angles and microphone placement. It’s been a steep learning curve but to watch the videos become as good as they are has made it all worthwhile!
What skills do you feel you have developed through online rehearsals?
Player A – I’ve practised guitar even more while in lockdowns as there are limited opportunities for going outside and it gives a focus away from school work.
Player E - Recording abilities
Player D - Vocalising your problems and explaining clearly any difficulties.
This Easter Holiday, Southampton Music Hub’s DNA Programme is offering young people the chance to learn how to freestyle with one of the UK’s top battle rap MC’s, Tenchoo.
The virtual, interactive masterclass will help young people — and especially those who usually get free school meals — to find out more about rhythm, flow and sporadic rhymes, then have the chance to put their new skills to test.
The workshops, suitable for those in KS3 and up (aged 11+), is available free of charge thanks to Southampton City Council and the Holiday Activity Fund.
Join us live on YouTube at 1pm for the Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing!
Southampton Youth Orchestra is a place for Southampton Music Hub’s most advanced young orchestral players to flourish. In this article we hear from director, Chris Braime, assistant director, Kevin Withell and ensemble manager Zoe Hunting, discussing the approach they have taken with online rehearsals. Also included, are the thoughts on this approach from one of the orchestras players.
Could you describe how you have been running SYO rehearsals.
CB: Running online rehearsals does present some challenges for orchestral music. We decided to tackle these challenges by using YouTube to create a series of episodic rehearsals that follow this basic pattern: first, giving an introduction and background history to the music; second, listening through to the music being focused on that day alongside a visual score of the music so people can understand better their part in context; and third, a conducted run through of the movement alongside a rolling score.
KW: This seems to have provided an effective way to do some meaningful rehearsal with a full orchestra.
What have you enjoyed about the way SYO rehearsals have been organised?
SYO player: The YouTube videos talking through the music have been very helpful. They give us a good idea of the music.
How has working this way helped to support you learning the repertoire?
SYO player: By listening to the recording and going through the score first, I can get an idea of what is going to come before I play the music.
Have there been any benefits to working online for SYO?
ZH: It has been an exciting opportunity to explore other ways of working with the group and has enabled to players to listen to the whole piece before they start to learn it. In particular, it has been useful for SYO to look in further depth at historical context of the music.
Is there anything we can take from how SYO have been working to develop further in the future?
CB: Live video offers some very exciting possibilities for the future, including lifestream concerts, something I think we should all be exploring more.
What are you looking forward to most about being able to meet face to face again?
SYO player: I'm looking forward to having a conductor who can adapt to us and conduct us, rather than the fixed recording which we have to play to.
This week we talk to staff and players from Pulse8, including director, Kevin Withell, and assistant, Amber Waterman.
What is the role of Pulse8 in Southampton Music Hub's wind band pyramid?
KW: Pulse8 is the middle wind band, taking students from the beginner groups at about Grade 3 standard, giving them their first experience in a wind band. We play a range of music: all sorts of styles and level of difficulty, ultimately making sure that they're prepared, experienced and confident for the step up into Southampton Wind Band.
What do you enjoy most about the music in you play in Pulse8?
Player A: I enjoy that we play all sorts of different styles of music, including film music. Our conductor Kevin makes the rehearsals really fun and knows how to help us make the best sound we can together.
What has impressed you most about Pulse8 players whilst rehearsals have been online?
AW: We've been most impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm shown throughout our online sessions. We've also had the privilege of working with some young musicians from the Isle of Wight, who have been joining us online while their ensembles have been unable to operate. They've become part of the band, and our students have made them feel very welcome.
What have you missed most about not being able to meet in person for Pulse8 rehearsals?
Player B: Everything! My friends, the music, performing!
Have there been any particular challenges to running the group online?
KW: It was difficult to begin with, as none of us really knew what to expect or how to make it work. Over the course of these few months, thanks to a lot of patience and honest feedback from the students, we've settled on a system which allows the students to learn and understand the music, to practise their parts, to understand and follow a conductor, to understand other musical lines in the piece and, most importantly, to enjoy themselves and maintain the friendly social atmosphere of the band.
What has been challenging about taking part in online rehearsals?
Player A: It is challenging not being able to hear the other musicians playing their parts and I don't know other people yet because rehearsals have been online since I joined Pulse8.
Have you been able to include any activities that you wouldn't normally be able to do in a face to face rehearsal?
KW and AW: As the students haven't been able to have real social contact, we've been breaking up the rehearsals with short, fun quizzes. This has developed a friendly competition in the band, and has given the students the opportunity to work together and have interesting conversations that wouldn't normally come up in day-to-day rehearsal. We've also managed to make several of the quizzes music-related, so have been able to subtly and stealthily develop aural and theory skills.
What new skills have you learnt whilst Pulse8 rehearsals being online?
Player B: How to play along to a backing track, even when it’s lagging because of our bad wifi signal!
Player A: I have learnt how to record individual music parts for virtual concerts. We also have fun kahoot quizzes at the beginning and in the break of each rehearsal about composers, instruments and music theory. I won a Disney quiz but I find the musical ones hard!
A young brass player taking part in the Symphony 125 project in 2019.
For those missing Strictly Come Dancing, Southampton Music Hub has put together a school’s ensemble performance project – Strictly Come Dance.
Southampton Youth Brass Band have been working on creating a virtual performance of Let’s Get Loud by Gloria Estefan and Flavio Santander. This performance will provide the backing track for the primary and secondary schools activity. Southampton Music Services teacher, John Hanchett, has written additional school parts for all instruments, levels and abilities as well creating the final video of SYBB’s performance.
Southampton Youth Brass Band is directed by Paul Hart and the band’s assistant is Kevin Withell. Here Paul, Kevin and some band members talk about what it has meant to be part of this city-wide project and their experiences and achievements whilst rehearsals have had to be online.
What has being part of the Let's Get Loud project meant for SYBB?
PH - Let's Get Loud has been an exciting project for the students, giving them something to work towards, with a new positive focus for the rehearsals.
What have the difficulties been preparing for the virtual performance of Let's Get Loud?
Player A - Learning the part, practicing it and following the conductor over the internet.
Is Let's Get Loud a breakaway from the music normally played by the band?
KW - The band is used to playing in a range of styles, and has worked in the past with other bands and choirs. The idea of learning the parts without being able to play it together, and recording and videoing individually has been a new and challenging experience.
What have SYBB been able to achieve whilst rehearsing online?
PH - The achievements of SYBB Online will be easier to gauge once we're back to normality. The positives are that we still have a functioning band, full of students who have been given opportunities to keep on learning and playing throughout the lockdowns. They've been able to get a headstart on learning the music and their individual parts ahead of coming back together, and we've been able to maintain a sense of continuity with the students, both musically and socially.
What have the challenges been taking part in online rehearsals?
Player A - Internet connections and the loss of the band dynamic that’s present when we are all together.
What has really impressed you about the band whilst they have rehearsed online?
PH - What has impressed us most has been the continuing commitment from the large percentage of the band who have been logging in every week. Rehearsing online has required a lot of patience and open-mindedness from students and staff alike. The fact that these students have so much commitment to the band, that they have not shrunk away from the challenges of embracing an entirely new and often difficult way of rehearsing does them real credit.
What is your proudest moment of being a member of SYBB?
Player A - Playing in the concerts, it’s very rewarding to see all the hard work pay off !!
What are you looking forward to most when SYBB can meet face to face again?
Player B - Seeing my friends
Player A - I am most looking forward to playing in a full band, with the sound and dynamic that it will bring. I am especially looking forward to performing, so we can show off all of the progress we have made, with all of the hard work that we put in.
