On Wednesday 15 December the Southampton Music Services team took part in ‘trauma-informed practice” training with Rock Pool.

The session helped the team to understand what trauma is, how it can impact children and young people, and how they can adapt their music lessons in a trauma-informed way.

Matt Brombley, Development Manager, says:

“Today has been another important step on our journey to becoming a more inclusive music service, leading a more inclusive music hub. We have spent time thinking about how music lessons can be a place where young people develop inner strengths which help them become better musicians, but also, which can spill over into other areas of their lives.”

At the end of this school year, Southampton Music Hub is celebrating resilience. 

The past 16 months have been disruptive for everyone, and in the face of such challenging times, we have seen the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, show an incredible ability to adapt, to grow, to learn, and to reach out.

Music has motivated us to keep going, and it has also helped us to grow the personal qualities that are so valuable, not just because they make great musicians, but because they make us better people.

So at the end of this school year, we’re celebrating resilience.

John Hanchett conducting an inclusive orchestra at the Mayflower Theatre in 2019.

John Hanchett: one of many resilient music teachers

It has been a challenging year for everyone, but music teachers and leaders across the city have shown incredible resilience. 

Having moved music lessons online in the previous year, they moved them back into schools in September. They moved them back online in January, again, then back into school again in March. Every step along the way, teachers and music leaders have been determined to keep music-making going, wherever, and however they can.

One such teacher has been John HancHett. John teaches brass, cello, piano and leads some school orchestras, and has been at the heart of moving not just music lessons online, but virtual performances too.

In December, when we lived in tired restrictions, John arranged, virtually conducted, and edited together ‘A Million Dreams’ — bringing together over 50 young musicians of all ages and abilities, from across Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

John explains:

“It was important to me that everyone who wanted to take part was able to take part, so I created an arrangement with parts for all instruments and abilities. There was a lot to learn when bringing such a big virtual performance together for the first time, but I was delighted by how it came out. The joy came from featuring the vast array of instruments, played by young musicians who were carrying on playing through such a difficult time. I wanted them to have something to be really proud of at the end of a difficult year.”

In January, and throughout the Spring Lockdown, John, along with all Southampton Music Service Tutors, moved their music lessons online again, as they had done the previous year. 

“It was great to be able to get new learners face-to-face in September. And with so many new learners and those carrying on from last year, when lockdown two happened in January, we hit the ground running: teaching day one of lockdown. This was the pay off from all the groundwork laid last year: we never missed a week. This has been an awful year in so many ways, but it has also been a powerful year for teaching: it has been really motivating to learn new things and face new challenges in such difficult circumstances.”

And, when schools returned to full opening in Spring, lessons returned to face-to-face:

“Returning in the Spring was not always easy. There were restrictions around social distancing and school bubbles which have been huge logistical challenges. It was so wonderful to see those young musicians who could carry on online pick back up right away, and carry on making progress. But there were also challenges for those who hadn't been able to learn online, and had missed out on so much. I’m not alone here, I know many other teachers do this tooL we just give the extra time to make it work sometimes!”

And at the end of the year,  John brought together “Get Loud” a virtual performance which debuts on Friday night, with young musicians from Southampton Youth Brass Band and Kanes Hill School.

“Get Loud is only possible because of everything that we’ve learnt over the past year. It’s a performance that has the best of both worlds — online recordings, plus face-to-face music lessons, workshops and recordings, before coming back together in the virtual world. This is something far bigger and more ambitious than we’ve done before, and it brings together musicians in a way that would not have been possible just a year ago.”

In 2021, Southampton Music Hub is launching the Digital Native Artists Programme: an exciting approach, which sees young people empowered to take control of shaping, and leading, the music-making they want to be part of.

The programme is being run by two new, Digital Music Engagement Workers — Sheldon and Gurmaan — young digital artists themselves, who have been recruited thanks to new funding from Arts Council England. They’re being supported by the hub’s wider team, including music service tutors and hub partner organisations, to inspire young people to explore new genres of music, and empower them to create their own musical futures.

The programme has kicked off this month with two new opportunities:

1. Online Production and Songwriting: giving young people access to online tools to create new music alongside mentoring support to develop their songwriting and production skills.

Places are limited for now — and invites to take part have already been sent out by virtual school, social workers and more, making sure the young people who often miss out, get the first shot — but anyone interested in taking part can register their interest right now.

Listen to “Why So Lonely” by one of our young songwriters:

2. TikTok Tutorials: quick and easy videos to get young people inspired and skilled up.

These videos are quick to watch, but share tips, tricks and inside secrets on the world of songwriting, music production and more. You can subscribe, or watch online, and leave suggestions for videos you’d like to see in the comments.

We Need You

We’re not stoping there. Coming soon are masterclasses, workshops and more. But, we want to hear from the young and aspiring producers, songwriters and artists out there, so that they can shape, and even lead, the music-making opportunities the project offers.

Find Out More About The DNA Programme

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!

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.

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.

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

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.”

Today, Southampton Music Hub releases the first evaluation report from Action Research into the impact of moving music lessons online during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Drawing on responses from young musicians, parents and staff, the report highlights some key findings:

1. Build on existing strengths

   1. Staff, parents and young musicians all have existing, transferable experiences, skills, knowledge and understanding that can be used and built upon to support new initiatives and formats

   2. Existing relationships, infrastructure and processes can be built upon and developed, even in challenging circumstances

   3. Facilitate and support the sharing of adapted good practice and learning experiences

2. Community is key

   1. Support is all around us — colleagues, family members

   2. This support supplements, but is not a replacement for clear and concise guidance

   3. Sharing emerging good practice, both formally and informally helps to support staff and families, and further opportunities to do this should be found

3. Simplicity enables speed

   1. Selecting a single platform allows for quicker training, support and troubleshooting

   2. Platform specific pre-existing skills are broadly low, and the transferable knowledge and understanding which accompanies these skills are quickly built upon

   3. Complicated technical setups do, sometimes, result in higher audio and video quality, but we have not gathered enough evidence to support the assertion that this improve learning outcomes for young musicians

4. Challenging circumstances are increased, but can also be reduced

   1. For children, young people and families already facing challenging circumstances, moving music lessons online has resulted in a reduction in their engagement — a deeper understanding of the causes of this reduction is needed, and both the adaption of existing strategies and the introduction of new strategies for engagement will be needed

   2. For those able to engage, learning music online has provided many improvements to wellbeing, including:

      1. A comforting sense of connection to “normal life”

      2. Improved, transferable confidence 

      3. Increased parental engagement

5. Exceptional circumstances lead to exceptional responses

   1. Across staff, parents and young musicians there is wide acknowledgment of the exceptional context in which this work takes place, and the willingness to undertake exceptional actions as a result

   2. However, there are some transferable principles that would apply beyond the current period:

      1. Parents and young musicians highly value regular music lessons, including developing a learning relationship with an individual teacher

      2. Staff, parents, and young musicians may not have experience of specific technologies or activities, but are willing to use and build upon existing transferable skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve successful outcomes

In responding to the report, Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:

In compiling this report, I was overwhelmed by the extraordinary amount of effort, goodwill and energy that had been shown by our young musicians, their parents and teachers in exceptional circumstances.

To staff, your resilience is truly incredible. In teaching, we often talk about modelling, and usually, mean playing music for our students in a way that demonstrates excellence. But to me, this report shines a light on how you have gone further: modelling resilience to the young musicians you teach, demonstrating what huge challenges can be overcome when we approach them with a willingness to learn and adapt. I cannot include every thank you that came in the responses from our families, it would be many pages long, instead, accept just one on their behalf — thank you!

To parents and guardians, as this report shows, your existing skills and confidence have been vital in getting online music lessons taking place. But, beyond that, you have been on a learning journey of your own — developing new knowledge and understanding, as well as building on your skills and confidence, and this progress should not be lost or underplayed. It has not always been easy, or simple, but you have made it work. For many of you, this experience has brought you closer together as a family, making you more engaged in the musical lives of your children. On behalf of the young musicians you support — thank you!

To our young musicians, I am delighted that we have been able to provide you with music lessons at a time when so much else is being lost. You have shared how comforting it is to be connected with “normality”, with your music teachers, and with music as a place for creative self-expression. Your energy and passion have driven us all forward, wanting to allow you each to develop to the fullness of your potential — thank you!

We continue to learn together.”

Responding to the reports key development areas, Kath Page, Manager for Southampton Music Hub, says:

“We have already started to respond to the key development areas highlighted by this report. We are committed to helping children overcome the barriers and challenges which may prevent them benefiting from the life-changing power of music. I’m delighted that we have already moved to:

1. Deliver physical music resources to children who find they don’t have the right technology to access music lessons online. Starting with shielded children, and expanding over the coming weeks, boxes of music activities will help them continue making music at home.

2. Working with schools to expand our online music lessons offer, including a digital version of our incredibly popular SoundBites project, which can be done both at school and at home

3. Re-imagining our inset programmes for the rest of the year, and the year ahead, to allow time for the team to share, and build upon, the new and adaptive practices which they have so quickly deployed”

Southampton Music Hub has new sets of resources to support music-making and learning at home and in schools this week.

Instrumental Newsletter

A weekly newsletter for instrumental musicians, to go alongside online music lessons, and instrument specific resources being sent directly by instrumental teachers.

Curriculum Newsletter

A weekly newsletter for those missing out on classroom music sessions.

Music Technology

Resources for making use of iPad and other digital apps, including video guides from expert musicians on how to write your own songs.

Soundbites Digital

This week, the first of ten weekly sessions for First Access musicians is heading out to schools and families that are missing out on their Soundbites and In2Music lessons. Learning music from across the world, over ten weeks, young music-makers will use their voices and any percussion they can get their hands on — or just their hands — to explore melody and rhythm.

Think your school or family should be taking part? Get in touch

Southampton Music Hub is launching Challenge-19: a challenge to the city’s young musicians to perform for friends and family, sharing their musical talents through digital video and over the phone.

For those who meet the challenge of performing 19 times, they can send a record of their achievement to the music hub office to get a digital certificate.

Young musicians interested in taking part should get in touch with the music hub office.

Southampton Music Hub is creating regular resources to support the city’s children and young people learning at home and in school.

Music Curriculum

Instrumental Music

The instrumental teams have been busy making videos, worksheets and other resources to support young musicians playing at home, which they will add to over the coming weeks

Easter Break

Southampton Music Hub instrumental and vocal teachers have worked exceptionally hard this term — thanks to their resilience and creative problem solving we have had over 300 young musicians start online music lessons in less than two weeks. They deserve a break — and so do we all! Lessons and resources will be back after the Easter Holidays, from Monday 20 April onward.

Over the coming weeks, you may find yourself missing out on music lessons, or playing with your ensemble. Here are some things you could do instead.

1. Perform at home

   Pick pieces of music you know. Try new pieces of music. Come up with an exciting programme of music to share with those around you. Practice hard. Then invite the people you live with to watch the show. Make tickets and a programme with fun facts about the music and your instrument. Don’t forget to invite your pets.

2. Perform for older relatives with video chat

   We know many older people might be feeling lonely over the next few weeks or months. Why not perform a concert for your older relatives over Skype, or FaceTime, or Video Chat?

3. Write a song

   Composing your own music is a great way to understand your feelings, particularly in difficult times. It can also be a great way to forget your worries for a while, and focus on something more positive. You could write music inspired by our recent Mayflower 400 project. You could be inspired by your favourite songwriters and composers. You could write parts for any instruments you play. You could write lyrics to sing or rap. Anything is possible when you’re writing your own songs.

4. Download music apps and create music on your phone/tablet

   If you don’t have an instrument, or can’t play one, or just fancy trying something new, why not download free apps like GarageBand or Walk Band and make music on your smartphone or tablet? Why not get inspired with the free Synthesis eBook?

5. Create and share playlists of music you like

   Listening to music is a great way to change the way you feel. You could make a playlist of happy songs to pick you up when you feel down. You could also playlist of sad songs that you can listen to when you just want to feel sad for a while, that’s ok too. You can then make a playlist of songs that inspire you to sing, dance and jump around when you’re feeling in more of a party mood. Share your playlists with your friends, or even make one together.

However you do it, remember, making music is great!

This year, as we wrap up for a Christmas holiday that includes the ringing in of a new decade, Southampton Music Hub looks back on the past ten years of music-making, to see the impact the hub is having for children, young people, and their families across the city.

18,500+ First Access Musicians

Every year Southampton Music Hub gives children an inspirational start to learning a musical instrument in First Access. In the past ten years 18,500+ children have picked up an instrument for the first time in classrooms across the city.

2,500+ Ensemble Members

Every year Southampton Music Hub gives young musicians the opportunity to perform and progress in a musical community of orchestras and bands. There are even a small handful of young musicians who, having started in 2009 or before, have been in an ensemble for over ten years!

30,000+ Affordable Instruments, Saving £10m

Every year Southampton Music Hub provides free, or affordable, instrumental loans to young musicians, families and schools. In the past ten years, there have been over 30,000 instruments loaned out, saving schools and families, an estimated £10million. 

Looking Ahead:

On Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 2020, Southampton Music Hub presents two momentous evenings of musical odysseys. Hosted by Soweto Kinch, eache evening will feature musical performances from bands and orchestras of all different shapes and sizes from across the City of Southampton and celebrate the life-changing power of music, including the premiers of Mayflower 400 inspired projects Big Sing: The Journey and Symphony 400: The Voyage.

Tickets cost just £10.

On Thursday 24 January pulls from across Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Hampshire came together at Portsmouth Guildhall for the annual school’s concert from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

The audience were entertained by music about celebration: commemorating the recent 125th anniversary for the BSO. The audience then became the performers and joined the BSO to sing the songs ‘Musical Fireworks’, written by James Redwood, and ‘Ode to Joy’, composed by Beethoven.

Kath Page, Manager for Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, says:
“This afternoon's concert was a wonderful opportunity for children to see and appreciate a full sized symphony orchestra and understand that music comes to life when you see it live. The interactive concert from BSO gave children the opportunity to really use their imagination and see instruments that they had never seen before.”

Helen Mead, Music Teacher at Shirley Warren School, says:
“The concert was a fantastic opportunity for over 60 pupils from our school to experience live orchestral music. They were engaged and excited throughout. The year 3 pupils are walking round school singing the Ode to Joy afterward.”

The BSO School’s Concert is one of many inspiring and inclusive live music experiences available to Southampton Schools on the Stadium Tour.

Southampton Music Services, lead partner for Southampton Music Hub, is offering future young musicians the opportunity to get hands on with the Bassoon in a free taster session on Saturday 2 February, from 1.30-3pm, at Woodlands Community College.

The free workshop is part of the Beyond Ambition programme: with workshops and masterclasses designed to get children and young people playing ‘endangered’ instruments.

This hands on Bassoon workshop is ideal for young musicians at the start of their musical journey — those currently learning an instrument with their whole class in First Access projects In2Music or SoundBites — and is also open to any future young musicians who might be interested in getting started on this exciting, and lesser known, member of the woodwind family of instruments. No experience is required.

Also part of the Beyond Ambition programme are two masterclasses for more experienced players:

• Bassoon workshop with Polly Phillips for Bassoon Players from beginners and up
  (Saturday 2 February, 1-5pm, Woodlands Community College)

• Double Bass workshop with Caroline Emery for Double Bass players from beginners and up
  (Sunday 3 February, 10am-3pm, Woodlands Community College)
  

Talented young musician, Lucy Gowans, has been offered a place in the under 13, National Children’s Orchestra for 2019. 

 Lucy plays the bassoon in three Southampton Music Hub ensembles — Southampton Wind Band (SWB), Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) and Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO) — as well as the violin in Southampton Youth Strings (SYS).  Lucy is also a music award holder.

Zoe Hunting, Service Manager for Southampton Music Services, says:
“We are always delighted to hear of young musicians from Southampton achieving at a national level. Lucy is a dedicated young musician who gives so generously of her time and talents to Southampton’s ensembles and she is an inspiration to the city’s younger players. We wish her all the very best in this exciting venture.”

At 7.45pm on Monday 5 November 2018, 600 musicians from Southampton, Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth, alongside Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), made their way on to a darkened Royal Albert Hall stage whilst the Azaad Dhol Group performed. Following an introduction from host Remel London, and a brief introduction from composer James Redwood, at 7.51pm, under direction from conductor Frank Zielhorst, the 600 strong massed ensemble hit their first powerful and purposeful note… followed by two more… followed by a further five. Symphony 125 had officially begun.

When the last note rung out at just past 8pm, the hall rose to their feet in a show of awe and appreciation. The months of hard work had paid off, and these young musicians had hit heights of achievement that left the audience delighted and amazed.

Since September 2018, all involved had been hard at work: young musicians from Southampton Music Hub, Isle of Wight Music Hub and Soundstorm Music Education Agency, coached by their teachers, musical directors and members of the BSO. For all involved, this was the event of a lifetime, and it has only been made possible thanks to a huge community effort: Associated British Ports kindly donated a free rehearsal space; Red Funnel and Solent & Wightline Cruises provided discounted transport; Teachers, musicians, parents and friends all gave countless hours of time and energy to support this momentous event.

Watched by friends, families and local supports, many took to social media to praise their performance:

WOW standing ovation for @MusicHubSouth and @bournemouthsymph at Royal Albert Hall @musicforyouth. pic.twitter.com/KcOrE9Pmfo

— Mayor of Southampton (@TheSotonMayor) November 5, 2018

Bursting with pride!! Over 600 young musicians aged 6 & up from Southampton & IOW @MusicHubSouth, @SoundStorm_ & @BSOrchestra knocked it out of the park with the mass ensemble #Symphony125, specially written for tonight. Well done every single one of you! #MFYProms pic.twitter.com/NtsRriezK7

— Darren Paffey (@darrenpaffey) November 5, 2018

Wow! A spectacular end to the first half of our first #MFYProms with the @BSOrchestra @SoundStorm_ @MusicHubSouth & @IOWMusicHub massed ensemble with the brilliant Symphony 125 composed by James Redwood! pic.twitter.com/orTydogFh5

— Music for Youth (@musicforyouth) November 5, 2018

This is what 576 @MusicHubSouth performers looks like #mfyproms pic.twitter.com/8OYuAoroWM

— Paul Swindale (@paulswindale) November 5, 2018

What an amazing, breath taking moment @RoyalAlbertHall with @MusicHubSouth #MFYProms and @BSOrchestra for #symphony125 absolutely joy! pic.twitter.com/Az16rQ4e7v

— James Gough (@GJamesGough) November 5, 2018

Words can’t describe how proud we are of all involved in @staffroommug #Symphony125 at the @musicforyouth Proms this evening. True partnership and inclusion #BSOParticipate @SoundStorm_ @IOWMusichub @MusicHubSouth @LivabilityUK What a performance! pic.twitter.com/5g3tFuJLcQ

— Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (@BSOrchestra) November 5, 2018

Massed ensemble with @BSOrchestra @SoundStorm_ @MusicHubSouth @IOWMusicHub #MFYProms WOW! pic.twitter.com/Xv6hTvbz0k

— Music Mark (@musicmarkuk) November 5, 2018

I can't put into words how fab last night was. So much talent, energy, smiles, noise and one or too proud parents as well!! Well done to all involved and for providing our children with a memory they will always treasure

— Paula van Breda (@BabavB) November 6, 2018

@MusicHubSouth Thanks for giving my students, staff and I the opportunity to share our iPad playing in the Royal Albert Hall. So lovely to make music with everyone together. My students were already asking when we’re performing next, hehe

— Kellyjo Peters (@kellyjopadmusic) November 6, 2018

@MusicHubSouth outstanding at #RoyalAlbertHall pic.twitter.com/2SIEMJ8PX2

— Rebecca Kinge (@kinge_rebecca) November 5, 2018

After a morning coach journey to London, all 600 performers from Southampton, Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth have arrived at the Royal Albert Hall this afternoon, ready for their momentous performance of Symphony 125 with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Music for Youth Proms this evening.

For all involved, this is the event of a lifetime, and it has only been made possible thanks to a huge community effort: Associated British Ports have kindly donated a free rehearsal space for all 600 musicians, providing the opportunity to practise together ahead of the big night; Red Funnel and Solent & Wightline Cruises have provided discounted transport, enabling all 200 young musicians (and their friends and family) from the Isle of Wight to make the journey across the Solent; Teachers, musicians, parents and friends have all given countless hours of time and energy to provide rehearsals and lessons ahead of the big night.

Matt Brombley, Projects and Partnerships Manager for Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, says:
“There is an incredible buzz in the air this afternoon. From the moment we arrived to gasps of amazement on the coaches, through to setting up and rehearsing in our places for this evening: this awe inspiring venue has encouraged each and every young musician to raise the level of their own performance to match their world-class surroundings. We’re so excited to be part of tonight’s stellar lineup, and to share Symphony 125 with the world.”

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Yesterday (Saturday 3 November) 600 performers gathered at Mayflower Cruise Terminal for an unforgettable rehearsal ahead of their momentous massed ensemble performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 5 November.

Brought together by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, young musicians from Southampton Music Hub, IOW Music Hub and Soundstorm Music Education Agency rehearsed a brand new piece of music — Symphony 125 — written to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the BSO.

The ensemble represents a huge diversity of sounds: a wide range of instruments — from iPads to violins to trombones and more; a huge range of ages and abilities — from young singers to high-flying young musicians to members of the BSO; and a broad range of backgrounds — players from schools across the region, including those with special educational and physical needs.

The rehearsal venue for the day — Mayflower Cruise Terminal — has been generously donated by Associated British Ports, enabling all 600 musicians to rehearse together for the day. Red Funnel and Solent & Wightline Cruises have provided discounted transport for the rehearsal and Monday event, enabling all 200 young musicians (and their friends and family) from the Isle of Wight to make the journey across the Solent.

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