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.

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.

Participants in a music technology workshop collaborating on a piece of music together

Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs are launching an exciting three-year project to help young electronic musicians to compose and perform music. Following a £100,000 grant from Youth Music, match funded by £10,000 from Southampton City Council, the Synthesis project launches in September 2018 with electronic music clubs, bands and orchestras across Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Working with schools and partnership organisations from across both music hubs, the project will help children and young people, particularly those facing challenging circumstances in their lives, to make music using iPads and other music technology. By developing their musical talents, the young musicians taking part will also develop the vital confidence and teamwork skills that will help them face and overcome the challenges they may face in their lives.

The project will be supported by professional musicians, from across a wide range of genres and backgrounds, who will help create video and digital resources that explain and demystify the songwriting process: exploring how to make music that blends musical genres, mixes musical cultures and brings together diverse communities.

Matt Brombley, Project Manager at Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, says:
“Technology is all around us: even the smartphone in your pocket can open up exciting new worlds for making-music. It is easy to think of this technology as being anti-social — we’re all familiar with the image of people hunched over their smartphones, ignoring the world around them — but what makes this project so exciting, is that it will give young electronic musicians the chance to collaborate  in new clubs, bands and orchestras across the region, looking up and out from their screens, and to make and share music together. Inspired by world-class musicians, and supported by an amazing team of music leaders and teacher, these young musicians will not only learn new musical skills, but they will also develop the life-changing skills needed to work, and succeed, as part of a team.”

Indian Classical Music Club, in partnership with Art Asia, returns this weekend, with an evening of Indian Classical and Fusion Music from 7-9pm on Friday 14 September at St Annes Catholic School.

From its origins in South Asia, Indian classical music has a rich and deep history that stretches back hundreds of years and reaches across the world. Indian Classical Music Club helps everyone, whatever their background, to understand and enjoy Indian classical music.

The event is presented by professional international musicians, including: 

• Talks and presentations on Indian Classical Music and Fusion Music

• Short performances with improvisations using Raga and Talas structures

FEATURING SANJU SAHAI (TABLA), GIULIANO MODARELLI (GUITAR) AND POOJA ANGRA (VOCAL)

• A phenomenal and outstanding Tabla player, Sanju Sahai is well known for mesmerising and captivating his audience with his power, virtuosity and complete spontaneity

• Giuliano Modarelli (Italy) is one of the most interesting musicians who plays Indian ragas on classical guitar applying the techniques of the Indian instrument, the sarod. He has collaborated with maestros of Indian classical music and created fusion music

• Pooja Angra is an Indian vocalist with a melodious and mellifluous voice. She has PhD in Indian Classical music

Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for under 16s, and £15 for a family ticket (including 2 two adults, and two under 16s)

On Saturday 29 September, from 2–4pm, Southampton Music Hub will be hosting two hours of free family music-making workshops in Guildhall Square as part of the Music in the City festival. The free workshops will be open to all ages and abilities: there is no need to bring an instrument, simply come along and join in with one of the free, fun activities taking place across the afternoon. 

Matt Brombley, Family Music Programme Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"Making music together is a great way for families to enjoy time together, learn new skills together, and have great fun doing it. Music in the City is a wonderful community event, and Southampton Music Hub are proud to be one of the diverse range of community musicians, venues, volunteers and businesses who take part, especially on this momentous, 10th anniversary celebration."

Young Musicians taking part in Southampton Music Hub's celebrations at last year's Music in the City Festival. Photo by the Daily Echo.

Music in the City is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with hundreds of performances across over 20 different venues. The full programme for the festival is below:

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.

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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."

On Sunday 1 July, over 150 people, from families of all shapes and sizes, came together at Turner Sims Southampton for a spectacular celebration of Family Music. 

Following six months of free music-making workshops across the city, over 30 performers — including members of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and rock band Groove Merchant — came together in a morning workshop to put the finishing touches to their performances. An incredible joint finale performance was brought together by workshop leader Neil Valentine, joined by Fiona Funnell, from Family Singing, and Aidan Hampson, from Family Rock Jam.

Starting at midday, the Family Music performers delighted an audience of over 120, which included attendees of all ages, and special guest, Councillor Peter Baillie, the Sheriff of Southampton.

The diverse musical programme included a new composition from Family Orchestra, inspired by the sounds of the waterfront; a capella songs from across the world, with Family Singing being joined on stage by a giant bear for their final song; a rousing performance by Groove Merchant which included a version of Shut Up and Dance With Me; and the debut performance of the collective finale song, only first put together that morning — a phenomenal new Family Anthem, drawing on music inspirations from Coldplay to Sister Sledge!

Our Family Music groups coming together for the first time - @ValentineNeil from @BSOrchestra leading a workshop where they’re putting a brand new piece of music together to perform at @TurnerSims at midday! pic.twitter.com/cplYMhO1Fe

— Southampton MusicHub (@MusicHubSouth) July 1, 2018

What a fantastic joyous event! Bravo everyone!

— Neil Valentine (@ValentineNeil) July 1, 2018

Thanks for putting on. What a great way to spend some Saturday mornings and finishing with this concert. Our family had fun contributing clarinet, voice, occasional xylophone and trains (littlest might be active next time!). Please do this again.

— Graeme Day (@graeme_day) July 1, 2018

On Sunday 1 July 2018, from 12noon–1pm, Southampton Music Hub and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will present Southampton’s first Family Proms: a spectacular celebration of music performed by, and for, families of all shapes and sizes from across the city.

Following six-months of free music-making workshops across the city, musicians and singers of all ages and abilities will come together at Southampton’s prestigious Turner Sims.

Family Proms includes the chance to hear bass instruments as you’ve never heard them before, with performances from In at the Deep End: a quintet of musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra consisting of four of the lowest orchestral bass instruments — tuba, trombone, bassoon and double bass — plus percussion.

In at the Deep End will be joined by performers from Southampton’s Family Orchestra, Family Singing and Family Rock Jam groups, alongside Fiona Funnell and rock band Groove Merchant.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
“The past six-months of free Family Music workshops have been a huge success! We’ve seen over 500 people taking part, and it’s been incredible to hear stories of how we have inspired singers and musicians of all ages and abilities. We’re delighted to host a spectacular celebration of the achievements of Southampton’s family musicians, with the first Family Proms, and we hope that even more families from across the city will join us to see, and hear, the life-changing power of music!”

Ben Jennings, Participation Coordinator for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra says:
“For 125 years, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra have inspired generations of music makers. We’re delighted that In at the Deep End will perform alongside the Family Orchestra, Family Singing and Family Rock Jam groups at this exciting, free, family concert, giving families the chance to hear bass instruments as you've never heard them before!”

On Saturday 30 June, Southampton Youth Orchestra will celebrate the end of their musical year with a Summer Concert at Turner Sims Southampton. Starting at 7.30pm, the programme will include Tragic Overture by Brahms and Symphony No. 6  by Motzart. Also featured on the night will be soloist performances from Emmy Huang on Violin (as part of Introducton and Rondon Capriccioso by Saint-Saens) and Oliver Veal on Clarinet (performing Concerto for Clarinet by Weber). 

Tickets cost £9 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for under 18s. 

It doesn't matter if you've been to one, many, or none before, Family Singing is back with the final free workshop before Family Proms. Come along on Saturday 23 June, from 10am-12noon at the Ashby sure Start Centre and find out how singing can help the whole family feel happier and healthier!

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.

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Released last week, ‘World Music Day’ (by Jo Downs), is a new free song in the Everybody Sing Song Bank to help celebrate World Music day on Thursday 21 June. Singers of all ages can have fun learning this exciting new song!

Also in the song bank is last months song and podcast themed around endangered species, with lots of great ideas for animal themed ways to warm up your voice.

It doesn't matter if you've been to one, many, or none before, Family Rock Jam is back with the final free workshop before Family Proms.

Saturday 16 June 2018
10am-12noon
at Academy of Music and Sound

Joined by Groove Merchant — a house band made from some of city's most talented young rock musicians — Family Rock Jam is free, and fun and open to anyone! You can bring your own guitar, or use one of the free guitars provided.

To celebrate summer, Sound Pop Academy will be running a series of singing workshops this August. Running from 13–15 August 2018, at Oasis Academy in Lord’s Hill there is a three day workshop programme for 7–16 year old singers.

Sound Pop Academy focuses on a contemporary approach to music learning, allowing young people to reach their full potential in harmony singing, vocal skill and movement.

Mike Evans from Sound Pop Academy says:
"We’ve been busy planning an immersive programme of fun, inclusive workshops where participants will be challenged into learning a number of current pop songs along with choreography and performance skills which will then be showcased to family and friends. Come and graduate with us this summer! Places are strictly limited."

Workshops cost £90 for a three day programme.

It doesn't matter if you've been to one, many, or none before, Family Orchestra is back with a free workshop this Saturday morning, 10am, at Moorlands Community Centre.

Joined by members of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra,  Family Orchestra is open to players of any standard, any age, and any instrument — everyone is welcome! You can bring your own instruments, or use one of the free percussion instruments provided.

On Monday 11 June 2018, Southampton Youth Strings (SYS) will perform a free concert at Ikea Restaurant. Starting at 4.45pm, the 30 minute set will include popular and classical pieces of music. 

Over the past few year, the performance has become a well received annual event, with some of Southampton's most talented young string players sharing their talents with shoppers and diners from the local community and beyond.

Christa Porter, Ensemble Director for SYS, says:
"Southampton Youth Strings are delighted to be invited back to Ikea again this year — we're very grateful for the opportunity Ikea give the city's talented young string players to share their music with the community."

Southampton Music Hub and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra presents Family Proms — a spectacular celebration of music performed by, and for, families of all shapes and sizes from across the city.

Family Proms includes the chance to hear bass instruments as you’ve never heard them before, with performances from In at the Deep End: a quintet of musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra consisting of four of the lowest orchestral bass instruments — tuba, trombone, bassoon and double bass — plus percussion.

In at the Deep End will be joined by performers of all ages and abilities from the free Family Orchestra, Family Singing and Family Rock Jam workshops currently taking place across the city, alongside Fiona Funnell and Groove Merchant.

Family Singing continues its journey across the city, arriving at Moorlands Community Centre this Saturday morning — a venue that brings back fond memories of Southampton's first Family Orchestra workshop nearly 18 months ago!

Singing together can help the whole family to feel happier and healthier — all ages, abilities and experience levels are welcome!

Family Rock Jam returns on Saturday, with a chance to learn the massive rock anthem, 'I Love Rock and Roll' by Joan Jett.  Playing alongside house band Groove Merchant, it doesn't matter if you're picking up a guitar for the first time, or are an experienced player — anyone can join in!

Suitable for families of all shapes and sizes — bring your own guitar, or use one of the free guitars provided!

On Sunday 6 May 2018, in the bank holiday sun, young musicians in Southampton Wind Band and Southampton Youth Brass Band delighted the crowds that gathered outside the old city walls, on the steps, balconies and restaurants that make up the esplanade at Westquay. Performing a wide range of music, including songs from musicals and traditional brass and wind band pieces, the music filled the air, entertaining shoppers, diners, and the families who sat and watched.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager at Southampton Music Hub, says:
"It was a huge pleasure to watch the hub's young musicians performing at the weekend. They sounded spectacular. The bank holiday weekend is a special time for families, and so for our young musicians (and their families) to give up their time to share the joy of music with other families in the city is very particularly special."

Was down here having lunch today and this lot were AMAZING! Particularly enjoyed the Les Mis portion of the show. Sunshine, pizza and a brass band nothing more I could want out of a Sunday. https://t.co/CamP1lTxiE

— Lisa (@LisaNaomi) May 6, 2018

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."