Earlier this term, Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs shared their response to Barry Carpenter’s Recovery Curriculum with schools teachers and leaders across the region.

Artswork — the South’s Arts Council Bridge Organisation — hosted a webinar called “Supporting Pupil Wellbeing and Reconnecting with Learning through Creativity” where the hubs presented the way the recovery curriculum had informed planning and projects for the year ahead. The event featured a keynote from Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, and was well attended by schools, as well as arts professionals from across the South .

About the Recovery Curriculum:

The Recovery Curriculum outlines five losses and five levers of recovery for children and young people.

Loses:

1. Routine

2. Structure

3. Opportunity

4. Friendship

5. Freedom

Levers of Recovery:

1. Relationships

2. Community

3. Transparent curriculum

4. Metacognition

5. Space

Sharing the hubs’ approach

In the virtual session, Nia Collins, Relationship Manager for Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, shared how projects and plans for the year ahead are designed to address the five losses through specific music-making activities which build upon the five levers for recovery.

In the session, the hub also shared a growing body of evidence showing that music can have a positive impact on both social, emotional and wider academic outcomes for children and young people in the longer term.

Nia Collins, Music Hub Relationship Manager said:

“Huge thanks to Artswork for inviting the music hubs to be part of such a wonderful event and for bringing us together with the other brilliant speakers and a great number of teachers too. I came away inspired and hopeful for our children and young people, seeing the passion and compassion that our educators and arts colleagues have at this extraordinary time has motivated me even more to continue on this path of putting health and wellbeing at the forefront of what we do in the Music Hub.

The role of music in supporting the health and wellbeing of pupils, and in particular how this can be so closely tied in with schools’ recovery curriculum planning, is an incredible opportunity to broaden the curriculum. We should absolutely take in this extraordinary year.”

It was on Monday 5 November 2018 when 600 young musicians performed on the world-famous stage at the Royal Albert Hall: one of the biggest, most inclusive ensembles ever to do so!

The momentous performance was made possible thanks to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and was a huge celebration of their 125th anniversary, seeing 400 young musicians from Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs joined by 200 from Poole and Bournemouth Music Hub, Soundstorm.

Two years on, on Thursday 5 November 2020, as England begins a second national lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, huge massed performances like this one can feel so far away. However, all the children, young people, teachers and music leaders who took part in the event — and other inspirational events like it — all hold on to unforgettable memories of making music with others.

It is these memories that keep us all motivated to continue to enjoy music wherever we are — in school, at home, or elsewhere — and to look forward to days in the future when we will be able to make music together with so many others once again.

Today, Southampton Music Hub launches “Black Lives Matter: Songwriter Sessions” — a new ebook resource featuring performances and interviews with Sheldon Hamilton McKenzie and Sal Resco Chitulu.

Through their music, and in conversation, these two talented local artists share their music and their stories: helping us to better understand where their music comes from.

Southampton and IOW Music Hubs are celebrating Black History Month with Calypsonian, musician and educator, Alexander D Great. Thanks to exciting new digital resources, children and young people will gain a fascinating insight into the music of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as an understanding of Alex’s experiences growing up as part of the Windrush Generation.

Each set of videos features performances of Alex’s unique Calypso songs; storytelling in the Griot style; historical background to Windrush, and the origins of Calypso; as well as help for schools to compose their own calypso music. These digital resources are available for all schools in the region, with versions suitable for ages 5–18 years old.

During the month of October, Alex will also be visiting the Isle of Wight, thanks to a collaboration with hub partners The New Carnival Company and the Isle of Wight Heritage team. On Wednesday 14 October 2020, will be performing and speaking about his experiences at an evening event in Brading Roman Villa .  

Also, in February 2021. Southampton and IOW Music Hubs will follow up this resource with a Calypso writing project, led again by Alexander. This will focus on writing songs telling pupil’s own stories from lockdown and the lasting effects of Covid-19 in their lives.  

Nia Collins, Music Hub Relationship Manager, says:
“Alex is such an incredible polymath and I can’t wait for them to enjoy his colourful evocations of the past and present through songs and storytelling. His enthusiasm and engaging style will no doubt captivate pupils’ imaginations and inspire their creative responses. As part of the recovery curriculum this year it is vital that we give pupils the space for self-expression and to rebuild their relationships with each other through shared experiences while still safely offering them the same high quality opportunities we always have which I believe this project does”

Join Groove Merchant tonight on YouTube as they premier their performance of Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars.

Groove Merchant’s guitar player Tom says:
”The song is enjoyable to play live and on my own. The changes between clean and distorted settings makes the song challenging when performing. There are fun chords in the main riff, and the lead notes at the chorus making the song more enjoyable to play.”

Aidan, the group’s band leader, says:
”This video is the culmination of a fantastic year for Groove Merchant. They have displayed superb musicality in their live performance at the Mayflower and hard work, resilience and tenacity in their home recordings. Enjoy!”

Join Groove Foundation at 7pm tonight for virtual premier of their performance of ‘Ironic’ by Alanis Morissette.

Aidan, the group’s band leader, says:
”Groove Foundation have worked incredibly hard over the past year, and this video perfectly demonstrates their talent, resilience and musicality. Well done! “

Chineke! Junior Orchestra flew through their auditions on Britain’s Got Talent, and are now hoping for success in the semi-finals of the competition. During their audition performance, they were joined by Morro Barry, a talented, young tuba player from Southampton.

You can tune in to the semi-final this Saturday at 8pm, and show your support on Twitter!

Southampton and IOW Music Hubs are looking to recruit a talented young (18–25), BAME music artist and/or producer, who is passionate to work with younger musicians, producers and performers: helping them discover digital music genres, build musical and personal skills, and move forward towards better musical futures.

This role is part of the new ‘Digital Native Artists (DNA) Programme’ which has been funded by Art Council England.

Working across electronic dance music genres, modern rap and hip-hop genres (including grime, trap and drill) and progressive R&B and pop genres, you will help build a diverse and inclusive programme of music making and learning.

You will use your music and production skills to develop and deliver a programme of digital music resources, workshops, and events which engage with aspiring young musicians in schools and other settings across the region. The programme will enable participants to improve their musical skills, develop new personal skills, and inspire them to continue making music in the future.

This a development role, and training and support will be given to help build your teaching and learning skills, as well as mentoring and support to help you develop a wide range of professional skills for working within formal and informal education settings.

This role is a one year (48 weeks), fixed-term contract, for one day per week (6–8 hours) starting in Autumn 2020. Salary is £400 per month, £4,800 total.

Get in touch to send a CV, covering letter and a link to examples of your music.

Applications should be received no later than 12noon on Friday 16 October 2020.
Interviews, via Google Meet, will take place during the week beginning Monday 19 October 2020.

Art Asia are offering four creative ways to explore the Mayflower story:

“The Mayflower Story began with the epic voyage of the pilgrims, in search of the New World and finding their site of belonging. It is a story of persecution, hope and challenges they encounters as they negotiated a new regrouping of communities to call it home. The Mayflower story has a double edge — the pilgrim finding a new home but at the same time displacing the indigenous people and paving the way for colonialism. It is important to recognise this. At a time when we are living through some extraordinary times, not only because of the pandemic but because of inequalities and entrenched racism in society ‘Belonging’ attempts to bring the lives and stories of the new settlers in Southampton.

Art Asia are offering creative responses, including singing, storytelling and craft, and are inviting Southampton’s communities to respond.

As a new school year begins, and teachers welcome back pupils once again, Southampton Music Hub is working with schools to keep music at the heart of creative learning communities. Much about the year ahead can feel very uncertain, however, the whole team are dedicated to responding to challenges in the same spirit as they have done before: keeping our focus on bringing the life-changing power of music to every child in the city.

Here are a few of the ways we’re getting ready to do just that:

Empowering and developing teachers

This year, instrumental and vocal teachers are being given extra time to plan and prepare for the year ahead. The team are having training sessions with educational psychologists, to better understand the personal and emotional challenges young musicians are facing, and how music lessons can be part of the response. There will be training on how to recognise and nurture the personal and social development of young musicians, as well as training on how, where it may still be needed, online music lessons can be the best they can be, for all involved.

Additionally, “Music for Wellbeing” guides for schools use music a tool for helping children understand and overcome the emotional challenges faced throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The hub is empowering and developing teachers so that young musicians can reach their fullest potential.

Special guidance and practices

Working together with school’s, Southampton Music Hub is helping to keep all children, teachers and the community as safe as possible, including guidance around good hygiene, social distancing, engaging with NHS Test and Trace, as well music specific risk assessments. Music can only change lives for the better, when we first keep each other safe, and these new practices will help happen.

Blended delivery

Not all music can be face-to-face, at least, not yet, and so online and remote music-making will still be a core part of the hub’s offer. But online is not just a second-best option. Digital workshops open up capacity, so that more schools can be inspired by world-class musicians and composers. Ensembles will continue to develop their exciting digital performance programmes which can reach a bigger, broader audience, in the year ahead too. Online music lessons will also continue for some, where needed, enabling musical learning to continue when face-to-face lessons are not possible. By blending online and face-to-face music-making — embracing the best of both — the hub is able to make sure more children than ever can access music.

Looking ahead

Every new year brings new possibilities, including new challenges, and this year, that is particularly true. But music has a unique role to play, helping bring people together, helping us understand ourselves and each other better, and helping us to imagine a bright future for our schools and communities.

As another school year comes to an end, Southampton Music Hub looks back on a year which has been unlike any other.

Mayflower 400

Symphony 400: The Voyage

The year, and our Mayflower 400 journey, began in four primary schools, where composer James Redwood collected musical ideas inspired by the Mayflower story. 

Over the next few months, those ideas inspired a momentous musical voyage for a new orchestra of 100 talented secondary musicians, alongside digital remixes and resources for others to play and create for themselves.

Big Sing: The Journey

Alongside Symphony 400, Southampton Music Hub partnered with Mayflower Theatre to take inspirational songs from their newly commissioned musicals to school children across the city. The songs inspired and motivated hundreds of hours of workshops and rehearsals for young singers.

Southampton: A Musical Odyssey 

In early March, over 1000 young musicians performed two nights of unforgettable music at the Mayflower Theatre, with a programme of music which included musical performances of all shapes and sizes, including the debuts of Symphony 400: The Voyage and Big Sing: The Journey.

“I was really nervous — I’ve  never done anything like this before — but being with my friends, I was able to get on stage and sing with everybody!” 

— year four pupil from Hollybrook Junior School

Responding to Covid-19

Just a few weeks after the unforgettable events at the Mayflower Theatre — a celebration of the passion, creativity and resilience of the city’s young musicians — the country went into lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and that same passion, creativity and resilience was shown once again, in the face of unprecedented circumstances. 

In the past few months...

• Southampton Music Services has moved over 600 music lessons online

• City ensembles have created a virtual concert programme

• Pizza boxes of music-making activities have been sent to shielded children

• A new Soundbites Digital programme has allowed First Access to continue in schools and at home

• ‘The Greatest Friend’ encouraged children to look after their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others

• Weekly instrumental and curriculum newsletters have supported schools and home learners

• Resources from the Synthesis project have inspired independent electronic music-making

At every stage, young musicians and all those that support them — from their families to music teachers, to hub partners and beyond — have shown incredible resilience, creativity and passion for keeping music playing.

Looking Ahead

There are so many uncertainties ahead, and as Southampton Music Hub charts out a plan for returning in September, the challenges ahead feel huge. Not least of all because we know of the huge emotional burden that has been placed on the city’s young musicians over these past months, being separated from the friends and musical communities they love. 

Nights like Mayflower Theatre in March, and the incredible response of the past few months, serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together and unlock the passion, creativity and resilience of the city’s young people and communities. 

Thanks to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, more pizza boxes of exciting music-making activities have been sent from Southampton Music Hub to shielded children in the city.

Whist some children have been able to be back in school ahead of the summer holiday, shielded children are having to wait until September. Pizza boxes of fun music activities mean that even those with limited access to technology or instruments can enjoy making music at home over the summer holiday.

Thanks to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who’s musicians and team have used their orchestral expertise to create inspirational ideas, shielded children in the city can be inspired by the work of world-class musicians.

Southampton Music Hub Find out more about our Hub Choirs at: Bella Voce - Senior Chamber Choir Soton Voce - All ages Community Choir https://www.southamptonm...

Southampton Music Hub choirs; senior youth choir Bella Voce and community choir Soton Voce, have worked together this term to contribute to a recording of a All Is Found from Frozen 2. Weekly virtual rehearsals have been running since lockdown started and this song has been learned entirely remotely by members in three part harmony!

Young rock musicians from Southampton have kept their rock bands going throughout lockdown, working hard to turn their usual rehearsals and concerts into virtual band practices, and now, video performances too!

On Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 July 2020 Southampton Music Hub and Southampton Music Trust will host two virtual concerts to celebrate the achievements of some of the city’s most talented young musicians.

These ‘Award Holder’ musicians receive additional support throughout the year. Through one-to-one music lessons, ensemble membership and instrumental loans, their incredible talents are nurtured to fully flourish.

For those young musicians who face challenging circumstances in their lives, Southampton Music Trust provides free support which means that talented young musicians, who can benefit the most, get to enjoy the life-changing power of music.

Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs are launching version 4.0 of the Synthesis Video Guide resources, designed to help young electronic musicians build new composition skills, inspired by some incredible musicians.

Building on videos about looping (with Ricky Tart), ragas and scales (with Dr Pooja Angra), and arranging (with Em Johnson), this updated version adds resources about mixing, bass lines and chords.

Matt Brombley, Project Manager for the Synthesis Project, says:
”Using digital resources allows for young musicians to choose their own adventure through the world of electronic music composition. With these new videos, we’re excited to make that world a little bigger.”

The Synthesis Project is funded by Youth Music. Find out more about the project.

Some music hub friends have sent in videos of them singing, dancing, signing and even playing along with ‘The Greatest Friend’ — enjoy watching them as they get moving, make some great sounds, and even get a little messy!

Over the past few days the team have spent time reflecting on how we can better support BAME musicians in our city. We continue to listen and learn. We also want to act now.

So, today, we launch a new, paid commission for BAME musicians in Southampton.

Southampton Music Hub is looking for BAME musicians, performers and producers who:

• Live or study in Southampton

• Are 18+

• Perform or record their own original material

We’re looking to commission them to:

• Record a performance (audio or video, 3–4 minutes) of a self-composed piece of music

• Participate in a recorded, one-hour zoom conversation about their music

Genre and style are open, and musical and lyrical content should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.

The recordings will form a digital resource pack for schools and the wider community that will be made freely available on the Southampton Music Hub website.

Fee: £200 for individuals, £300 for duo or group performers

We are looking to commission 3-5 musicians in this first round, and hope to be able to expand the scheme in future.

Expressions of interest for this round close at 12noon on Tuesday 30 June 2020.

The brief is also available to download from the Synthesis Page

Coronavirus has has a huge impact on all our lives. For families up and down the country, the past half term has been unlike any other: learning at home, and keeping a social distance from others. With schools looking to start welcoming more pupils on site, starting with some of the youngest first, this is a challenging time for everybody.

For children, as this half term ends, and they look ahead to the big changes coming soon, there are lots of confusing thoughts and feelings to try and make sense of. That is why Southampton Music Hub has created a brand new song called, ‘The Greatest Friend’.

We Need You!

With some very silly lyrics, fun actions, and sign language translation too, the song is fun for all ages. So there really is no excuse not to sing, dance or sign along.

The song also has a very important message hidden inside: it’s ok to feel sad and confused sometimes; everybody feels that way, but, it’s not forever.

What better way to show that we’re all in this together, than a video of everybody joining in? That’s why we need YOU!

Send us your videos and video clips either through the music hub website, or on Twitter, and you could be part of a huge, exciting, community video version of the song.

Starting today, pizza boxes of music activities arrive on the doorsteps of shielded children across the city. Including support for songwriting, beatboxing, and even turning the box in to the drum, the resources are designed to support music-making at home, with no extra stuff needed.

The boxes have been put together by Southampton Music Hub and are inspired by the incredible work of Solent Showcase Gallery and Southampton City Council’s art box scheme. They are part of the Covid-19 response from Southampton’s Cultural Education Partnership (SCEP), looking to help make sure children can access cultural experiences from a distance.

Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
”We’re delighted to be part of the SCEP’s response to COVID-19: helping children and young people making music at home. We know that for shielded children — those who are extremely clinically vulnerable, or who live with someone who is — the very strict social distancing restrictions are really tough. We hope that being able to make music and write songs will help them to work through the difficult feelings that such a troubled time brings.”