As part of our Digital Native Artists programme, we have 4 free music groups which you can join!

Whether you’re well on your way with your musical journey or just starting out, these sessions are open.

You can come along regularly, try out a session or drop in when you need the support.

1. Girls Make Music: Production Collective — Girls Make Music is a music production club providing young women and girls access to making music in an exciting, creative space in the MAST Studios!

   Fortnightly Wednesdays 4.30pm - 6.00pm (all ages) additional hour ‘til 7.00pm (16 - 21 years)

   at MAST Music Studio.

   All young women & girls ages 11 - 21, inclusive of cis, trans and non-binary, women & girls.

2. Music Production Collective — MPC is a monthly music production group session, providing space for collaboration between beatmakers, producers and songwriters, an opportunity to learn new skills and get support with music making.

   Monthly Mondays 4.30pm - 6.00pm at MAST Music Studio.

   Ages 11-18

3. FLOW — Flow is a monthly rap group session for young rappers, whether you’re just starting out on your musical journey or are well on your way!

   Saturdays 10.30am - 12.00pm at MAST Music Studio.

   Ages 11 - 16 years old.

4. MIX’Zine— Mix’Zine is a connected community for young people interested in music, social media, music journalism, blogging and live events to be part of a team who will share new music and music opportunities with other young people.

   First Monday of the Month 4.30pm - 6.00pm at MAST Music Studio.

   Ages 13 - 25 years old.

Find out more about our Digital Native Artists Programme and the resources we have to offer, along with the music groups and opportunities available to young people on the Isle of Wight.

Southampton and Isle of Wight Music were delighted to be part of the Music in the City celebrations over the weekend of 28th and 29th September running a stage from King John's Palace at the Tudor House Museum on the afternoon of Saturday 28th September. 

Over four hours we were able to showcase the incredible talents of the city's young people including the hub rock bands and bands from Upper Shirley High School and Redbridge College and some of the brilliant artists from our Stage Door Rising Stars series. 

Along with the performances in Southampton's old town, hub bands and local young musicians were also taking part in the hugely popular open mic sessions run at The Old Chemist in Bitterne which was another excellent and busy night of performances by young people!

Nia Collins, Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Strategic Programme Manager:

"It has been so exciting for us to be able to give young people the opportunity to be part of this city-wide event and reach new audiences who have been blown away by the level of musical talent these students have shown this weekend!"

A huge thanks to all the music hub staff and parents, friends and families who supported this event, the Tudor House for hosting us in such an amazing venue and Music in the City.

Below is a 360 video and photographs from the event!

Hear from some of our wonderful young musicians as they share their musical journeys from our instrumental lessons and music groups!

Are you interested in taking part in music lessons or music groups?

Find out more about the opportunities we offer, via the buttons below!

Are you looking to improve your confidence and communication skills? Join YES! Creative Beats on a Skills4Work programme and join our free 6 session beginners’ samba course!

 This is a very simple samba taster course with an emphasis on team building and communication for anyone 16+ living on the Isle of Wight, looking for work or to improve their employability skills.

In this course we aim to improve:

• concentration

• confidence

• communication and listening skills

• teamwork and leadership skills

In a fun, friendly and supportive environment!

Dates: Wednesday 18th September 2pm - 4pm for 6 weeks

Location: St Johns church hall, High Park Road, Ryde PO33 1BX (accessible venue with parking available)

For more information and to book your place, please email us: info@yes-creativebeats.co.uk or visit our facebook page via the button below.

Are you an aspiring community music leader, who is keen to make a difference to people’s lives through the power of music? The BSO Young Associates scheme may offer just the experience you’re looking for…

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Young Associates Programme is a 7-month paid opportunity for 18-26 year old musicians to gain practical training as a creative music leader in the South West.

Open to: Ages 18 – 26

Deadline: Monday 16 September, 5pm

Interview/Audition Dates: Tuesday 24 / Wednesday 25 September

Location: Poole, Dorset

More Details

We’re keen to hear from people who are aged 18-26 and from a background currently underrepresented in the UK’s arts work force including: musicians from lower income backgrounds; of global majority heritage; or, who identify as disabled, D/deaf, or neurodivergent.

The placement will give you paid experience, training and mentoring from some of the sector’s leading practitioners, and you’ll build a great network along the way.

No previous music leading experience is necessary, we’re looking for potential!

How to get involved

Applications are now open, with a deadline of Monday 16 September, 5pm.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview/audition on Tuesday 24 or Wednesday 25 September in Poole, Dorset.

This will involve an informal interview, a whole group music workshop, and a chance to meet other musicians. Travel expenses will be reimbursed if invited to attend.

RCM Sparks are delighted to be working in partnership with GALSI (Gender and the Large Shiny Instruments) to deliver a brass and percussion course for young female and non-binary musicians this October half term.

During the course participants will be split into junior and senior ensembles for workshops, masterclasses, and performances led by the incredible GALSI team.

Open to: Ages 8 – 25

Standard: Grade 1 – Conservatoire level (Participants will be grouped according to grade)

Dates: 29 & 30 October 2024

Location: Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS

Cost: £80.00 with free tickets available for those who are eligible*.

How to book: Book via the RCM website or register for a free pace here.

*Please visit the RCM Sparks page to check whether you are eligible for a free place.

If you have any questions about the course or learning and participation opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact sparks@rcm.ac.uk for more information.

Looking back at our Ensembles’ achievements this year!

It has been an incredible year for our 13 ensembles with so many highlights. To name a few:

Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia starting their community project – Make Some Noise.

Southampton Youth Brass band getting out and about performing at fairs and bandstands across the local area.

Southampton Youth Wind Band and their incredible achievement being invited to perform at the Music for Youth National Festival.

Southampton Youth Orchestra about to take part in the Fulltone festival.

Studio Band giving such an incredible performance at the Concorde Club back in June.

However, our top tier groups couldn’t give such amazing performances without the foundation work that is done in our initial and mid tier groups.

Huge congratulations to all our ensemble players on all their achievements this year. We are looking forward to what next year will bring.

“There is so much musical talent in the young people of Southampton. Their performances

have been of such an incredible standard this year. We are so proud of all their

achievements”

- Zoe Hunting (Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead at Southampton Music Services)

Join improvising group Coastal Collective for an evening of improvised music in a beautiful heritage venue

Coastal Collective are delighted to share with you their upcoming performance of “Summer Retreat” which will be performance at St John The Evangelist in Northington, next Sunday 7th July at 5.30 pm.

This family-friendly performance showcases the work of Coastal Collectives latest EP and will immerse you in a world of music in this heritage venue. We welcome anyone who loves music and wants to hear how improvisation can take all sorts of twists and turns.

Featuring:

@neilvalentinemusic - composer/director
@mattbrombley - electronics
@studiobrewdio - guitars
@jamesashdown - drums
@anna_durance - cor anglais
@jamesgtrumpet - trumpet
@chrisnicholsuk - violin
Alison Hughes - clarinets

@coastalcollectivemusicuk

BLiM is currently looking for emerging classical musicians who would like to perform at our upcoming Classically Black event at the prestigious Kings Place in London on October 19th!

Black Lives In Music is thrilled to announce an unmissable performance opportunity for emerging classical musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our groundbreaking event, Classically Black, we are calling all young and emerging talents to showcase their skills and passion in a vibrant, inspiring setting.

This is your chance to perform in front of a diverse audience, including industry professionals from Warner Music Group, at the prestigious Kings Place in London on October 19, 2024.

Who Can Apply?

We are looking for classical musicians and composers who are early in their careers and eager to make a mark in the music industry. If you are from a black or global majority background, have a fresh voice, and possess a unique musical style that deserves a spotlight, we want to hear from you! We are open to applications from individuals or ensembles of up to five members.

Application Opening: 31 May, 2024  

Application Deadline: 17 July, 2024

For more details on how to apply and get tickets to the event, click the button below.

Turner Sims Summer Festival - 28-30 June 2024

Turner Sims Summer Festival is back! Extraordinary artists from both near and far are ready to fill our beloved venue and the gardens beyond with incredible live music. 

Join us for a 3-day Summer Festival, Friday 28 - Sunday 30 June at Highfield Campus. Bring a picnic to enjoy before the performances, or take advantage of some amazing food stalls out in the gardens.

Summer Family Day – co-designed with pupils from Bassett Green Primary School - Sunday 30 June 2024

Join us at Turner Sims Southampton on Sunday 30 June for a day of magical musical activities and events for children and grown-ups of all ages.

Get the whole family involved with workshops, music, dance, craft – and of course the chance to make LOTS of noise. Bring your picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens, get your face painted – a perfect day out!

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

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

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

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

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

• the importance of giving young people more choice

• making music education more relevant, reflective and representative

• empowering young people with a wide range of skills and experiences

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

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

Turner Sims have launched The Vibe Collective — an opportunity for 18-25s to join a new group which will work with industry professionals to plan and present gigs and events for young people at Turner Sims, the music venue at University of Southampton.

OperaUpClose in partnership with Chickenshed Theatre and Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs present Peace At Last, an opera for 3 – 5 year olds based on the picture book by Jill Murphy.

Girls Make Music is back again this month with another session to explore music production, recording, songwriting and live events!

Starting on Saturday 4 November 2023, FLOW sessions are back at MAST Music Studio.

Young rappers (or aspiring rappers) ages 11-16 can get support to tighten up their rhymes and improve their flow!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mel Thomas (Teacher St Patrick’s Primary School Southampton)

“….the best event our school choir has had the opportunity to take part in! Thank you for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful event. It has given the children great memories that will stay with them and it has really encouraged their love for singing, music and performing in a choir. The impact the day has had on them was great.”

On Pupil from St Patrick’s said:

“I just don’t know how I’m going to describe to my parents everything I’ve seen and done today!”

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Southampton Music Hub has four exciting — free — music opportunities to share with you as part of our Digital Native Artists (DNA) Programme!

1. Girls Make Music: Production Collective — a new, ten week, opportunity for girls aged 11–16 to explore music production, songwriting and live events

2. Music Production Collective — monthly music production group sessions providing space for collaboration between beatmakers, producers and songwriters aged 11-16

3. FLOW — Saturday rap group sessions for 11-16 year olds

4. Share and Shout About New Music — a chance for 13-25 year olds interested in music, social media, music journalism, blogging and live events to be part of a new team who will share new music and music opportunities with other young people

Young people, aged 13-25: Southampton Music Hub needs you!

We’re launching a new way to SHARE AND SHOUT ABOUT MUSIC!

Created by young people, for young people, we want to share new music, music events, and support opportunities for young musicians in the area.

If you’re interested in… social media… music promotion… music journalism… blogging… live Events… then this opportunity could be for you!

Join us at our kickstarter day to form a brand new team, start a brand new project, and design the future:

Saturday 13 May 2023 • 10am-3pm

Music Studio @ MAST Mayflower Studios. SO14 7DU

Free lunch included!

Trouble with transport, or getting to the sessions? We can help. Just let us know when you sign up.

Any questions? Get in touch

Girls Make Music is a new club for girls and young women to explore music production, recording, songwriting and organising live events: a safe space to share ideas and interests whilst building skills, confidence, and collaborating with other young creatives!

This opportunity will be running for ten weeks and those taking part will be able to help design the opportunities that come next.

Sessions are free and all abilities are welcome. Girls can try out a session or come along regularly!

Age group: 11-16 years.

Wednesdays at 4.30 - 6.00pm

Mast Mayflower Studios

For all young people aged 11-16 interested in music production, there is also a monthly music production collective, open to all.