Brand new for 2018, Family Rock Jam launches at this weekend's Music Fayre, with free, fun open-access rock guitar workshops that will see players of all ages and abilities joined by the city's leading youth rock ensemble, Groove Merchant. Anyone is welcome to use one of the acoustic guitars available on the day, but experienced players are welcome to bring their own guitar along if they like.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager at Southampton Music Hub says:
"It doesn't matter if you've never picked up a guitar before, if you're a well seasoned player, or if you're just a little rusty — anyone can join the Family Rock Jam and enjoy playing some classic rock jams together. With support from the house band, Groove Merchant, players of all ages and abilities can take part and play along with some of the city's most talented young rock musicians."

This weekend, a free Family Singing workshop with Fiona Funnell (formerly 'Choral Clans') will join an exciting programme of workshops and performances at Southampton Music Hub's Music Fayre. Taking place on Saturday 27 January 2018, and running from 11am-3pm at Central Hall, the Music Fayre is jam packed with a wide variety of music making activities for families of all shapes and sizes. 

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"Singing is a great way for families and communities to come together, connect with others, and share the incredible health and wellbeing benefits that come from making music together. The Music Fayre this weekend will be a great opportunity to try the free Family Music opportunities that are taking place across the city in the coming months, leading to the city's first Family Proms in July."

Following last years huge success, the Family Orchestra, run in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, returns this weekend — bigger and better than ever! 

As part of Southampton Music Hub's Music Fayre on Saturday 27 January 2018, a huge, open-access, Family Orchestra workshop will be take place in the main hall of Central Hall meaning that players of all ages and abilities can be part of, what will likely be, the biggest open orchestra the city has ever heard!

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"This is the perfect chance for brand new players, and rusty ones alike, to grab an instrument — or use one of the free instruments provided — and have a go at making music together. From those learning a musical instrument in school, to those who've never played before, it really doesn't matter, as long as you're willing to give it a go — any instrument, any age, any ability — everyone is welcome!"

This weekend, families of all shapes and sizes can be part of the free music workshops and performances at Southampton Music Hub's Music Fayre. From 11am-3pm on Saturday 27 January 2018, Southampton Music Hub will joined at Centrall Hall by hub partners and local music and arts organisations to proudly share Southampton's diverse musical communities.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager at Southampton Music Hub says:
“This year is the biggest year ever for families to make music together in Southampton. Launching at the Music Fayre, free Family Orchestra, Family Singing and Family Rock Jam workshops will mean that players and singers of all ages and abilities, can share the life-changing power of making music together. With the help of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Fiona Funnell, and Groove Merchant, families of all shapes and sizes can find out how making music can help make lives better!”

This summer Mayflower Theatre is giving young people lots of different opportunities to get involved in their summer youth projects. 

Les Misérables School Edition and Revolution will be performed together at Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford from 28 July-12 August 2018. 

Les Misérables School Edition is the epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Revolution will offer local young dancers the opportunity to work and devise with choreographer Rebecca Leonard on a new short piece, inspired by the themes of Les Misérables and presented as a double bill with Les Misérables School Edition. Members of the Revolution company will also appear in some elements of Les Miserables Schools Edition.  

In addition to performance opportunities, Mayflower Theatre is offering backstage opportunities as well as offering young musicians with Grade 8 in Violin, Horn in F or Oboe/Cor Anglais the chance to perform alongside industry professionals in their company orchestra. These projects will take place at Thornden Hall. 

This summer, Mayflower Theatre is also working alongside ZooNation to present their Summer Youth Dance Project, Groove on Down the Road. Set in a fantastical urban world, ZooNation’s Groove On Down The Road tells the story of Dorothy and her adventures with Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion on their journey to Oz.

The audience join Dorothy — complete with ruby sneakers and friends — in this hip-hop dance production, as they follow the yellow brick road, in a quest to find happiness and family. This unique project will see ZooNation creatives working with local young people aged 10-18 to recreate and re-imagine this well-loved story and will take place at Solent University from 16 August - 1 September.

This month's new song in the Everybody Sing Song Bank, written by Jo Downs, celebrates creativity in music, art, science and more. With a fun and catchy tune for everybody to enjoy, singing this song is a great way to help young singers focus on pronouncing some tricky words clearly. This weeks podcast includes a bonus episode to help you get creative with some percussion ideas.

A message from Matt, Nia and Zoe, Southampton Music Hub Managers:

The start of the new school year in 2017 has seen some incredible musical moments in Southampton:

• 1,500 new pupils took their first music steps in First Access
• 5,000 children learning music every week
• over 6,600 children taking part in an inspiring musical experience

As we share some of our highlights from the start of this year, we also look forward to 2018, working with schools, partners and families to bring life-changing music to every child in our city.

This Christmas, Southampton Music Hub has worked closely with two choirs — University of Southampton Voices and Southampton Choral Society — to put together two concerts celebrating choral excellence in Southampton.

The Bells of Paradise:

The first concert, The Bells of Paradise, took place at Swaythling Methodist Church on Friday 15th December. 

University of Southampton Voices — a 50 strong community choir based at the University of Southampton — were lead by their charismatic director, Harvey Brough, who also composed and arranged the music performed. Choirs from Swaythling Primary School and Cantell School worked with vocal workshop leaders from Southampton Music Hub in the run up to the event.

Harvey Brough, University of Southampton Voices Director, says:
“The young singers sang really well, I felt they really learned something about performing throughout the process and in the concert itself. I could feel the collective will to make it as good as possible and that’s such a valuable thing to tap into.”

Gemma Dyne, Head of Music at Cantell School, says:
“We had a really good time and it was very beneficial for all of the students taking part.”

Singers from St Annes rehearsing for their performance at Central Hall

Singers from Springhil school rehearsing for their performance at Central Hall

Ceremony of Carols

The second concert, at Central Hall on Saturday 16th December, featured Southampton Choral Society, alongside choirs from Springhill and St Anne’s Catholic Schools, in a magical performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.

Workshop leaders from Southampton Music Hub worked with the schools to learn and rehearse the material which was brought together with harp accompaniment on the day, by conductor Graham Kidd. The demanding but beautiful music of Britten made a dramatic entrance processing in and out of the auditorium for the opening and closing plain chant. 

Diana Barnes, General Secretary of Southampton Choral Society, says:
“It was lovely to hear their young voices singing with enthusiasm and commitment, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them sing with us. We hope that we can have the opportunity again some time!”

Jenni McWilliams, Music Teacher at Springhill, says:
“This was an amazing opportunity for our pupils, we would definitely welcome working together again... they absolutely loved the whole experience.”

Gemma Nicholls, St Anne’s
“This was a wonderful event and a brilliant chance for the students to sing alongside singers from Springhill and Southampton Choral Society. The students all really enjoyed it.”

Nia Collins, Interim Hub Manager at Southampton Music Hub, says:
“Both of these choral concerts were extremely ambitious in their repertoire and as always the children and young people of Southampton schools were able to rise to the challenge admirably with some astonishing results! We have enjoyed working closely with schools, the university and community choirs who have all been extremely supportive in helping to bring these exciting celebration events together.”

This Spring, Southampton Music Hub presents a brand new set of songs that will help the youngest children in school to explore the world around them through singing. The fun and simple songs explore themes from brushing you teeth and washing your hands, through to family and holidays. 

The free song book will be sent to every Reception class in the city, and will be supported with free singing workshops from Southampton Music Hub's experienced early years singing tutors. 

Nia Collins, Southampton Music Hub Manager and Vocal Strategy Leader, says:
"We are delighted to be able to offer a set of songs written for the EYFS framework that help children in Reception classes use music to explore their relationship to the home environment. These free songs will be accompanied by free workshops in schools which will help children enjoy singing from the very beginning of their schools lives. The songs are simple and catchy, and we hope that children will take these songs home so that parents can singalong too."

On Friday 15 December 2017, University of Southampton Voices and Southampton Music Hub will present The Bells of Paradise: a delightful collection of carols and Christmas songs from around the world, and through the ages, arranged by Harvey Brough, Turner Sims Professor of Music.

Southampton University Voices — a 60 strong choir made up from staff members and students from the University of Southampton — will come together with children’s choirs from Swaythling Primary and Cantell School, international vocalist Clara Sanabras and James Murray on piano.

The performance takes place at Swaything Methodist Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

Southampton Music Hub Manager and Vocal Strategy Lead, Nia Collins, says:
"This has been a great opportunity to showcase some of Harvey's fantastically festive arrangements and for the children involved to sing some really interesting and different repertoire. It has also been a great way for the hub to deliver some transition work between primary and secondary schools and the university, helping to strengthen those links in our community via music"

In Southampton Music Hub's annual feedback letter this week, Arts Council England (ACE) has identified many key strengths for both Southampton and IOW Music Hubs. Both hub's have been recognised for a diverse music offer, from a strong network of partners, resulting in an inclusive approach to music for children across the region.

In recognition of ACE's confidence in the hubs’ leadership, both hubs have been assigned the lowest risk rating. This is the first time the IOW has achieved this rating since Southampton became accountable for the hub in 2016, and represents an incredible achievement for Kath, Zoe, Nia and the IOW team which they have led.

Based on this annual letter, and the business plans moving forward, Arts Council England will offer the hubs a two year funding agreement, securing the future of Southampton and IOW Music Hubs in to 2020.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
"As a team, we always knew that building strong partnerships would be key to delivering life-changing music for children across Southampton and the IOW. It’s great to see our approach to partnership work recognised for helping to achieve the high ambitions we have set together. A huge thank you for all that our schools, teachers and partners do in supporting the work of Southampton and IOW Music Hubs — we cannot wait to see what we can achieve over the coming years, working together to delivering life-changing music for every child in our region."

Young musicians, performing with the Chineke! orchestra at Central Hall in November 2017, as part of a partnership project with Turner Sims, Southampton.

On Thursday 23 November, 300 young musicians from Bevois Town, Shirley Warren and St Johns Primary schools joined members of the Chineke Orchestra, performing together in an inspiring music workshop and concert.

Chineke! — Europe's first professional majority Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) orchestra, founded by the double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE — worked alongside Southampton Music Hub and Turner Sims to give school pupils in Southampton an extraordinary musical experience which was supported by Orchestras Live and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

Pupils from Bevois Town and Shirley Warren, most of whom had been learning their instrument for less than ten weeks, learnt a newly newly commissioned arrangement of Symphony No 2, L’Amant Anonyme by Joseph Boulogne (Le Chevalier de Saint Georges) which they performed alongside the Chineke! musicians to an audience of over 100 proud friends and family. Percussion pupils from St Johns Primary school performed a new piece of music they had composed, inspired by the extraordinary life of Joseph Boulogne.

This inspiring day will now be followed by discounted music lessons which will encourage BME pupils to continue learning music, whilst the resources developed for the project, including a video of the Chineke! performers, will be used in schools across the city to inspire a new generation of players with the music of world-class BME musicians and composers.

Pupils taking part on the day said:
"It's epic!"
"Music lightens your heart!"
"It's great because one day we can become experts"

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and Community Choir invite you to join them for their annual Christmas concert from  7.30pm on Monday 11 December at Dobson Theatre, King Edward VI School. The concert will include performances of Cantique de Jean Racine, Missa Sancti Nicolai, Ave Maris Stella and Fantasia on Christmas carols. Tickets  cost £12 or £10 for concessions.

As part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations taking place in 2020, Mayflower Theatre is working with University of Winchester, Musical Theatre Network, Mercury Musical Developments, Southampton Music Hub and the theatre's Associate Artists to commissioning new work in response to the Mayflower 400 story. Following workshops with local young people to identify key themes that still resonate 400 years on, Mayflower Theatre will be developing four new, one act, musicals to be performed in August 2020.

This month's new song in the Everybody Sing Song Bank is a special festive edition written by Jo Downs. With lyrics which play on the idea of a Christmas list jam packed with presents, this song encourages young singers to think about those less fortunate than themselves at a time of year when it can be so easy to only think about their own wishes. There are three fun, optional harmonies to accompany the main tune, with different levels for all abilities.

Southampton Music Hub has been longlisted, alongside five other music hubs, for the MEC Music Education Awards 2017, recognising the hub's imaginative, creative, ambitious and inspirational approach to music education. The shortlist will be announced in December, and the final awards will be given in February 2018.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"The whole team are delighted to have been longlisted for this award, as recognition of the excellence we achieve together. It is an honour to help lead an incredible partnership of teachers, schools, families and music organisations from across the region, as we work towards our shared purpose of bringing life-changing music to every child in our city."

On Saturday 9 December 2017, Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) will be joined by the Splash of Red ladies choir and singers from Southampton Music Service for a Christmas concert not to be missed. 

Anna Robinson, Director of SYCS, says:
"After a hugely successful tour concert with Splash of Red ladies choir, SYCS are delighted to, once again, be joined by the choir on a return visit this Christmas. The concert is going to feature a wide range of festive favourites including an exciting rendition of O come Emmanuel also featuring Southampton Music Service singing students."

Southampton Music Hub and Southampton Inclusion Partnership (SIP) are working together to pilot a new SEND Music Advisor role in the city. The role will help improve access to music for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Kelly Jo Peters, who is the music teacher at Great Oaks School, a Specialist Lead Educator in SEND Music for SIP and a national SEND Music consultant, will be taking on the role, supporting the city’s special schools and inclusion units to help every young musician reach their fullest potential, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Matt Brombley, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub says:
“We’re delighted to work with Southampton Inclusion Partnership and Kelly Jo Peters as part of our ongoing commitment to improve access to music for children with additional needs: recognising the unique challenges they face and valuing the unique contribution they can make. Kelly Jo’s expertise and experience mean she is uniquely placed to help deliver our ambitious plans for 2018–20 and beyond.”

Kelly Jo Peters, SEND Music Advisor for Southampton Music Hub, says:
"Music is my passion and sharing that passion to help others develop their musicality is my lifelong goal. In this new role as SEND Music Advisor, I will help children with additional needs access increasing music learning opportunities and experiences. This role enables me to work with the city's special schools and inclusion units, as well as arts organisations, in order to support the Southampton Music Hub and SIP in delivering a dynamic and engaging music programme for SEND."

Janina Spencer Assistant Head from the Southampton Inclusion Partnership says: 
"Working in partnership with the Southampton Music Hub will further SIP's purpose in developing inclusive opportunities for pupils across Southampton. Kelly Jo (SIP SLE) is extremely experienced in the field of music with SEN and mainstream so her expertise will be invaluable. It will be exciting to watch music develop for all"

Kelly Jo Peters and the Great Oaks iPad band performing at Portsmouth Guildhall

This month's free song from the Everybody Sing Song Bank is a medley of nursery rhymes — perfect for singing with young children in school.

With so many familiar tunes, the song is also an ideal confidence booster for new teachers and music leaders who may be feeling unsure about leading singing activities. Alongside tips on how to sing the song, the podcast episode this week also introduces a brand new warm up and simple, silly starter that can be used in school and at home to build new singing skills.

On Saturday 4 November 2017, Southampton Youth Brass Band (SYBB) were joined by members of the world leading Cory Band for a day of expert workshops ahead of a joint concert together at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church in the evening. The day included sectional masterclasses, with each group of instruments working with expert players from Cory to develop their parts in the two pieces the bands would perform together in the concert later. The five Cory Band members also performed pieces of music and answered questions from members of SYBB about their incredible experiences touring the world as renowned musicians. The evening concert, attended by over 300 thrilled audience members, gained the attention of the Daily Echo with a glowing review of the evening.

A parent of an SYBB member says:
"My son had a fantastic day and was thoroughly inspired by the workshop and by the live performance, both watching it and participating in it. We were amazed by the standard that Paul attains with the band and the strong relationship he has with its members, parents and the brass community which enable days and evenings like that to be so successful. I don't think we could have fitted many more people into the church. Our son was positively buzzing afterwards and spent most of the afternoon practising which was lovely!”

Paul Hart, Director of SYBB says:
"The chance to play with the number one Brass Band in the world was something that I would never have thought would be possible. But last weekend, that’s exactly what happened. Dreams and life long memories were certainly made on that day, thanks to the amazing Cory Band. It was a chance to learn from some of the best players in the world on their chosen instruments and a day that will, I’m sure, be one they will never forget.”