As part of the countdown to Symphony 125 at the Royal Albert Hall next week, Southampton Music Hub is shining a spotlight of some of the young musicians who will be part of the 600 strong massed ensemble that will perform alongside Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at this momentous event.

Today, the spotlight turns to some of the city’s most talented young orchestral musicians: the members of Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO) and Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) who will be part of the 200 young musicians coming from across the city.

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

“The members of SYO and SYCS represent some of the city’s most talented young orchestral players. Over many years of hard work, determination and effort they have demonstrated the resilience required to become top-tier young musicians. Our hope is that by performing at the Royal Albert Hall — a world-renowned venue — as part of this once-in-a-lifetime event, they will be inspired to believe that there is no limit to where their musical ambitions can take them.”

Exactly one week today — on Monday 5 November 2018 — 200 young musicians from across Southampton will take part in a momentous performance of Symphony 125 at the Royal Albert Hall. Along with a further 350 young musicians from Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth, the new massed ensemble will be joined by 13 members of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Frank Zielhorst.

This remarkable event is part of Southampton Music Hub’s annual Stadium Tour programme, which brings inspiring and inclusive music experiences touring across the city. In past years, the Stadium Tour has brought world-class musicians in to schools and the community. This is the first time the Stadium Tour has ever taken the young musicians to a world-renowned venue outside the city.

September and October saw the launch of two new iPad bands, kick starting the first stage of the Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub’s Synthesis Project.

Taking place at Vermont School and Oasis Academy Mayfield, the two new bands are made up of young electronic musicians, invited by their schools to be part of this exciting new opportunity.

The two iPad bands are part of three year project, which has been funded by a £100,000 grant from Youth Music, and match funded with £10,000 from Southampton City Council. Starting in October, new iPad bands will be starting on the Isle of Wight, and, over the next three years, they will be joined by new iPad clubs and orchestras across the region.

Matt Brombley, Projects and Partnerships Manager for Southampton and IOW Music Hubs, says:
”It’s only been a few weeks, but already the Synthesis bands are creating some incredible sounds. Chosen for their interest and passion for electronic music, the young musicians involved are already starting to learn new music-making skills, and pull together in to tight-knit teams. The whole team can’t wait to see, and share, what they create over the coming months.”

Hear a recording of one of the band jam sessions from week three of the project:

Released today, ‘A Hundred Years’ is the latest free song in the Everybody Sing Song Bank: written by Jo Downs to remember a hundred years since the guns fell silent on the world’s first truly global war.

The song is a moving tribute to those who gave their lives in World War One, reflecting on the sacrifices made by those that took part, and the freedoms they won for generations to come.

The song is can be sung by all ages, with simple melodies that can be followed even by very young or inexperienced singers, and harmonies that can be sing by more confident or experienced ones.

Included with the song is a new episode of the Everybody Sing Podcast: helping teachers and music leaders get the most out of the song with warm ups, singing games and helpful tips for learning the song.

Shoppers at Southampton’s Waitrose supermarket have the opportunity to support Southampton Music Trust with their green tokens this month.

From the Waitrose Community Matters page:

By placing a token in the Community Matters box at your local branch you’re helping your community. Since its launch in 2008, the scheme has donated over £30 million to good causes in store and online

At the end of your shop in branch, you’ll receive a token to place in a box of the good cause you’d most like to support. The more tokens a cause gets, the bigger the donation they receive. Each month every Waitrose & Partners branch donates £1,000 (£500 in Convenience shops) between 3 local good causes that you choose.

Southampton Music Trust (Registered Charity No. 1176179) was set up in December 2017 to support the aims of Southampton Music Hub to improve access to music education and to provide life-changing musical experiences for the communities of Southampton and its surrounding areas.

Image courtesy of ABC Concerts

Following on from the fantastic Easter Bunny Hop in spring, a jazz-filled Christmas special comes to Turner Sims. Jingle Bell Jazz is ready to delight families on Sunday 16 December at 11am and 3pm.

ABC Concerts will get their audience into the festive spirit with everybody’s favourite Christmas melodies played by the Jingle Bell Jazz Band. Audiences can don their Santa hats and reindeer antlers and dance, wriggle, clap, cheer and sing their way through this interactive and fun concert for all the family.

Presented by ABC Concerts in association with Turner Sims this show is suitable for ages 2-5, but all are ages welcome.

At 4pm on Monday 8 October schools across Southampton will start requesting their places at the Summer Celebration Events taking place at Southampton Guildhall in July 2019. The celebration events mark the end of a year of Adventures in Time, which, start this November at the Royal Albert Hall:

In November 2018, 600 young musicians from across Southampton, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight will join Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in a momentous performance at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London. They will play a brand new piece of music by award winning composer James Redwood in celebration of BSO’s 125th anniversary.

Inspired by the Royal Albert Hall performance, Southampton Music Hub will share the incredible new music from this magical event with schools across the whole city.

On Tuesday 2 July 2019, two exciting massed playing events will celebrate a momentous end to an unforgettable year of music for the city. Taking place at Southampton Guildhall, each event will proudly share the exciting new music that has been created through the city’s Adventures in Time.

KS1–2 MASSED PLAYING CELEBRATION (1.30–2.15PM)

• An interactive, massed playing, music celebration for pupils in KS1–2. Pupils will get ready for this exciting event with free resources and workshops in school. Because every young musician taking part in In2Music and SoundBites will also learn the music, this makes an ideal end to their first year of learning an instrument: inspiring them to believe they can achieve huge musical dreams.

CELEBRATION PROMS (7.30–8.45PM)

• An evening celebration with Southampton’s young musicians and family music groups coming together with KS3–5 pupils to share music from, and inspired by, the Royal Albert Hall performance.

Ways for families to get tickets, and be part of these celebrations will be announced soon.

As Space Week launches today, Thursday 4 October 2018, it is the perfect chance to sing one of the exciting free songs from the Everybody Sing Song Bank. ‘Out of This World’ takes you on a journey to explore the galaxy inspired by the pioneering women and men who have led the way. The song comes with two episodes of the the Everybody Sing Podcast, including a whole episode with percussion ideas to get you drumming along with the song.

On Saturday 13th October 2018, at 7.30pm, the Galeazzi Ensemble return to Tracie’s Latin Club in Southampton with an enchanting evening of classical music.

The London-based quartet have performed together professionally for over 20 years; including concerts, recordings and workshops for children of all ages. The evening concert will include a programme of chamber music by Mozart, Haydn and their contemporaries, with each piece introduced by members of the quartet in an engaging manner.

Whilst the ensemble does present workshops aimed specifically at younger children, this concert is more suitable for older children and adults, though all are welcome. Sometimes children have enjoyed drawing pictures of the quartet (or anything else they feel inspired to draw) during the concert and families are welcome to bring their own non-messy drawing material. The ensemble have been presented with some wonderful pictures in the past.

As the concert is hosted by Tracie’s Latin Club, there will also be some social dancing (salsa, tango, ballroom etc) after the concert, which everyone is welcome to watch or join in.

Tracie, from Tracie’s Latin Club, says
“We have hosted several concerts by the Galeazzi Ensemble at TLC, always delighting us with beautiful classical music, presented with charm and wit."

Tickets in advance (at TLC or online shop):
£10 (concessions £7), Family £30 (2 adults plus children under 18)

Tickets on the door (CASH ONLY):
£12 (concessions £8), Family £35 (2 adults plus children under 18)

Following September’s successful return, Indian Classical Music Club, in partnership with Art Asia, continues on Friday 5 October 2018, with an evening of Indian Classical Music from 7-9pm at Cantell 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 jointly hosted by Cantell and Bassett Green Primary School, and 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 Chandra Chakraborty (Vocal) Tofail Ahmed and Sanju Sahai (Tabla)

• Chandra Chakraborty is an Indian vocalist with a melodious voice. She performs regularly in USA, UK, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. She is the artistic director of one of the top three organisations in UK: Saudha, Society Of Poetry and Indian Music.

• Tofail Ahmed is a highly accomplished musician with several years of training and experience. He is a teacher, workshop leader and a remarkable performer of different forms of Indian Classical Music.

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

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

On the afternoon of Saturday 29 September, as part of Music in the City, families of all shapes and sizes came together in Guildhall Square, picking up a Bamboo Tamboo — many for the very first time — to play Caribbean music together.

Led by Tom Gregory, percussion teacher for Southampton Music Services, the free, open-access workshops spread music right across the square, with new families joining in, and onlookers clapping along.

Matt Brombley, Projects and Partnerships Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
”There is something incredible about the power of music to bring people together. It doesn’t matter your age, your background or your musical experience — anyone can enjoy making music.”

Joining a stellar line up of fantastic musicians at the Music for Youth Proms 2018 this November, Music for Youth have announced Southampton Music Hub as part of this year’s Massed Ensemble performance projects.

On Monday 5 November, over 200 young musicians from Southampton’s ensembles, schools, and Family Orchestra will join with 200 young musicians from IOW Music Hub, and a further 200 from SoundStorm Music Education Agency in Poole and Bournemouth, to perform alongside members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in a momentous performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Together all 600 musicians will perform a new piece of music by composer James Redwood, in celebration of BSO’s 125th anniversary. This is one of the largest, and most varied, Massed Ensembles to ever perform at the proms.

Tickets to experience the proms at the Royal Albert Hall are available now through the Royal Albert Hall Box Office online or by calling 020 7589 8212.

Over 70 young singers from Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Redbridge Community School and St Annes Catholic School were brought together by Southampton Music Hub to perform as part of a spectacular gala to celebrate the reopening of Mayflower Theatre. Performing as part of a spectacular celebration that included performances from the theatre’s memorable musical history, and it’s exciting upcoming programme, the singers filled the newly refurbished auditorium with the sound of a capella African singing: including songs from Southampton Music Hub’s Big African Sing event.

This Saturday, Carribbean music comes to Guildhall Square, as Southampton Music hub host two hours of free bamboo tamboo workshops, as part of Music in the City

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. Making use of an exciting Caribbean instrument — bamboo tamboo — the free percussion workshops will be open to all ages and abilities: there is no need to bring an instrument, simply come along and join in with 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."

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