Southampton Music Hub are opening up auditions for a new, foundation level, city rock band. Groove Foundation will be Southampton's 19th youth ensemble, joining Groove Merchant as part of a growing network of support for the city's young rock and pop musicians. 

Auditions take place at Cantell School on Wednesday 18 October 2017, from 4.30–6pm. The band need three singers, two guitarists, a bass guitarist, a keyboard player and a drummer. Potential members need to be in school year seven and above, and whilst no previous band experience is needed, music reading is required.

Zoe Hunting, Ensemble Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"We're delighted to see the music hub's support for talented, young, rock and pop musicians now include a foundation rock band. By offering new and developing players the opportunity to practice and perform together, we hope to see the quality and standing of rock music grow in the city."

Solent music leaders enjoying a percussion session at a previous Solent Cultural Conference 

Invitations went out this week for the annual Solent Cultural Conference — a central part of Southampton Music Hub's ongoing support for teachers and music leaders, as they work together with the music hub to bring life-changing music to every child in schools and across the city. This year’s conference will see an inspiring range of sessions — from hands on music making workshops through to creative and practical classroom ideas — all delivered by highly esteemed local and national music leaders.

Hosted by Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, the conference will take place on Thursday 2 November 2017 at Portsmouth Guildhall. 

Matt Brombley, Interim Manager at Southampton Music Hub says:
"We recognise and value the incredible work that music teachers do in our schools and communities every day. Each year the Solent Cultural Conference challenges us to try new ideas, find new ways of working, and be inspired by incredible music leaders from across the world. Investing in music staff — seeing them develop as musicians, teachers and leaders — is an essential part of bringing life-changing music to every child in our city. It is our hope that, once again, this year we will inspire and equip our music leaders with new ideas and skills that they will go back and share, to enhance music making for the city's children and young people."

On Saturday 20 September 2017, from 2–4pm, Southampton Music Hub will host a percussion 'have-a-go' workshop at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, giving current young percussion players, and those interested in percussion, a chance to get hands-on with a wide range of percussion instruments and styles. The afternoon workshop will explore the world of rhythm and percussion through orchestral instruments and body percussion, as well creating and making music together. Families are warmly invited to join the group at 3.45pm to hear a short performance of the afternoon's work. 

Kevin Withell, Director of Southampton Youth Percussion says:
"As leader of Southampton Music Hub's percussion ensembles, I'm delighted to offer this hands-on workshop free to children in the city interested in percussion. The world of percussion is huge and exciting, with so many opportunities to make music with others. Places are limited, but young musicians interested in taking part can get in touch with the music hub office to book a place today."

Brassroots performing at Music in the City 2016

On Saturday 7 October 2017, Southampton Music Hub will host an afternoon of music in Guildhall Square as part of this year's Music in the City festival. Performances from Southampton Music Hub ensembles and friends will be accompanied by a performance of 'Singing in the City' from the We're All Here From Around The World song book: a celebration of southampton's diverse musical cultures.

Matt Brombley, Interim Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"Music in the City is an incredible annual event which celebrates the contribution people of all ages and backgrounds make to the musical life of our city. It's great that Southampton Music Hub and friends can be part of the festival again this year, with our children and young people getting the chance to give back to the their community through music."

In celebration of Roald Dahl Day, Southampton Music Hub has released the first song from the Everybody Sing Song Bank: ‘Roald Dahl Day Song’.

As one of the new free song added to the Everybody Sing Song Bank each month, ‘Roald Dahl Day Song’ is accompanied by a short, but jam packed packed singing podcast for teachers, with each episode bursting full of great ideas to get the whole school singing together, having fun and feeling happier and healthier through music. 

Southampton Music Hub's city youth ensembles start rehearsals again this week, in preparation for an exciting year ahead. With over 400 returning members joined by more than 60 new members this year, the programme of rehearsals and concerts in the community will inspire Southampton's talented young musicians to work together, performing a challenging musical programme for their city.

Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"We're delighted to welcome new and returning members to our 20 city ensembles. Performing music together helps our children and young people to develop essential musical skills, build long lasting friendships, and give back to their community. We're particularly excited that this year that we have three new ensembles starting, giving young musicians new ways to find a way into performing music with others."

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.

Launching in January 2018, Southampton Music Hub's Family Music programme will help families share the life-changing power of making music together: inspiring players and singers, of all ages and abilities, to be part of a lifelong musical journey that boosts health and wellbeing and builds community cohesion through shared music experiences. 

In partnership with world-class musicians, Southampton Music Hub will provide a diverse range of free, open-access, family music making activities across the city.

Southampton Music Hub have released a free songbook, ‘We’re All Here From Around The World’, which celebrates Southampton’s diverse musical cultures and communities. The book, which has been compiled by Fiona Funnell of Delicious Sound Choir, contains new arrangements of traditional songs, alongside an original song, inspired by the musical traditions which the songbook draws from.

The free book has been sent to every infant, junior and primary school in the city and is also available to download for free below, so that friends, families and the community can take part in singing to celebrate Southampton’s musical diversity. The songbook will also be supported by free singing workshops and events in schools across the city.

Fiona Funnell, Founder and Musical Director of Delicious Sounds Choir, says:

“This songbook brings together music from many of Southampton’s diverse musical traditions: from ‘Ami Tomake’, a Bengali lullaby which my local pharmacist knew from his childhood, through to ‘Stary Nietz’, a song I have sung to my Polish neighbours, making them light up with recognition, whilst also being very bemused with my pronunciation. I wrote the song ‘Singing in the City’ on one of my regular morning walks through St Mary’s, heading towards the Itchen Bridge. As I walked, I was reminded that the people of our city represent cultures from all around the world, yet we all call Southampton our home.”

Matt Brombley, Projects Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:

“As an ancient port city, Southampton has a long and proud history of welcoming people from all across the globe. As people have come to Southampton from around the world, over hundreds of years, they have bought with them a rich diversity of music. We hope that schools, families and the city will join us in singing the songs of those who have made Southampton their home, as we celebrate the contribution they have made to our communities, our city and our rich musical heritage.”

Performance Tracks:

Backing Tracks