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.

September 2017 Southampton Music Hub launches Everybody Sing. As part of this years school's music programme, Everybody Sing will be sharing the health and wellbeing benefits of singing with every child.

Everybody Sing shares the incredible health and wellbeing benefits of singing, helping every child to feel healthier and happier. Free singing resources and training for teachers will help support vocal development and build awareness of important health, wellbeing and PSHE themes. Events and workshops will inspire children and young people who would not normally take part in singing, particularly boys and pupils in secondary schools, through learning and performing alongside world-class singers and vocal coaches.

This year's programme includes singing experiences from Southampton Choral Society, CPR and Sound Pop Academy, as well as other inspiring music leaders.

September 2017 Southampton Music Hub launches the Stadium Tour. As part of this years school's music programme, the Stadium Tour will be taking inspiring and inclusive music experiences touring across the city.

In July 2016, over 2,500 children took part in Sounds from the Stadium: making music at St Mary’s Stadium, alongside world-class musicians.

Building on the overwhelming success of this event, the Stadium Tour is taking inspirational and inclusive music experiences touring across the city. With performances and workshops from exceptional local, national and international musicians, high-quality music is accessible to every child, regardless of their background. Encountering and exploring music from a wide range of genres, styles and traditions opens up a new world of creative participation, building aspirations to engage in lifelong music-making.

This year's programme includes experiences with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera and Mayflower Theatre, as well as other inspiring music leaders and performers.
 

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.”

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Backing Tracks