On Saturday 12 February 2022, 37 young musicians from Southampton Youth Strings (SYS) and Southampton Youth Wind Band (SYWB) took part in a workshop day led by London Sinfonietta. Participants worked on a creative piece and another contemporary piece and it was a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the country's leading performers on a repertoire written by living composers.

John Hanchett, director of SYWB, says:

“its been a great day allowing the participants to explore a new style of music that gives them freedom away from the constraints of the written music.”

Patrick from London Sinfonietta says:

“All the performers made huge progress on two pieces, one about rhythm and one about sustaining a beautiful sound. They got used to extreme ideas quickly and embraced the challenge. They gave a musical performance to an enthusiastic audience.”

Sophie, a member of SYWB, says:

“Who knew you could play music without music!'

Ellen, a young musician from the day, added:

“It is different from anything I've ever done before. It was really nice to play something in a different genre, and it wasn't possible to get it wrong!”

On Saturday 12 February Southampton Music Hub will welcome composer, conductor and presenter Patrick Bailey and players from the London Sinfonietta to work with players from Southampton Youth Strings and Southampton Youth Wind Band.

During the day Southampton's young musicians will work on on two contemporary pieces: developing modern technical skills, being involved in the creative process of developing a new piece of music, as well as taking part in sectionals with players from London Sinfonietta.

The day will end with a free public performance, 3.30 - 4.00 at Woodlands Community College, Minstead Avenue, Southampton, SO18 5FW.

With the new Spring Term, Southampton Music Hub is offering all schools in the city the opportunity to be take part in a huge, diverse range of music workshops, performances and experiences.

Alongside exciting new offers from the Everybody Sing and Digital Native Artists (DNA) programmes, this term’s offer includes:

• Taking part in the hub’s MAST Theatre Residency

• A concert for Key Stage 1 with Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS)

• Proud to Be, History of Hip Hop

And loads more!

At the end of 2021, Southampton Music Hub’s Development Manager, Matt Brombley, looks back on the year past, to reflect on some of the most memorable moments and themes of the year.

“Back in July, we wrote about how, above all else, it was the resilience of the city’s young musicians, and the adults who support them, that shone through as the defining theme of the year so far. 

Now, in December, it is even more true than ever. 

Showing creativity and flexibility in the face of incredible challenges has had big rewards for us this year.  

Thanks to Paul Hamlyn Foundation, £65,000 is helping develop literacy in three city schools using rap and hip hop in an exciting new pilot project.

Thanks to funding from Youth Music, Southampton and IOW Music Hubs are working together with Dorset, Portsmouth as well as SoundStorm Music Hubs to help young people shape and lead new music-making opportunities.

The digital resources from Sign & Sing have continued to find new audiences, and support schools to keep singing in an inspiring and inclusive way, with over 4,000 views just in the last month!

Songwriting and music production continues to be a big hit with young people, and is helping them with their mental health, as well as helping to shape the future of music-making in the city.

Innovative programmes, working closely with schools and alternative provision settings, have seen more young musicians taking part in music, including a 28% increase in Looked After Children, a 44% increase in pupil premium children, and an 88% increase in young people with Special Educational Needs.

Finally, after a start to the year which once again saw live music shut down, we have seen live music bouncing back, and since September over 3000 children have taken part in live music-making in schools, and over 400 young people have taken part in 16 ensemble performances.”

Kath Page, Hub Manager, adds

“We’ve been through an incredibly challenging two years, but every part of our music hub has responded to these challenges with resilience, creativity and innovation, helping to make sure we make progress towards our goal: that every young person has access to the life-changing power of music, whatever their background or circumstances.”

Dave King and Elaine Bohun stepped down from running Southampton Wind Band (SWB) in the summer of 2020. With a performance at Thornden Hall on Sunday 13 December 2021, and after a staggering 37 years at the helm, the music hub said a final farewell to them.

Current SWB members were joined by alumni making a band of 60 strong. Together they performed pieces that were personal favourites of Dave and Elaine or had a special significance to the couple.

The performance ended with a well deserved standing ovation as a tribute and thank you to all the support and encouragement Dave and Elaine have given to the young players of Southampton over so many years.

On Saturday 4 December 2021 a group of young producers, songwriters and musicians came together at MAST Music Studio to talk about the DNA Programme: where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. They created a new song — Right Track — and an accompanying zine which includes illustrated lyrics and a manifesto for the future.

They day was kindly funded by Music Mark and Arts Council England with additional support from Youth Music.

Two weeks ahead of the University of Southampton Voices’ (USV) Christmas concert, a school children’s choir had to reluctantly pull out due to school Covid restrictions. Harvey Brough (Professor at Southampton) approached the Southampton Music Hub to find some children to sing some key elements of their programme.

Needless to say, 18 young singers from a range of schools across the city rose to the challenge and attended two rehearsals before having the amazing experience of performing at the Turner Simms.

They were rehearsed by Nia Collins and produced a wonderful addition to the programme. They performed alongside professional soloists, Clara Sanabras and Christina Gill singing wonderful jazz arrangements of Christmas music arranged by Harvey Brough. All accompanied by a talented brass quintet.

It was a special occasion for the young singers to perform for the first time for many of them for two years. Also, it was no ordinary concert as it was a professional setting with gifted professionals too.

Finn McGill’s solo in Away in a Manger was memorable as was the two choir voices in the Carol of the Bells. The children opened at least three of the songs with their singing – no mean feat after just three rehearsals. They particularly enjoyed telling the tale “Down in yon forest” (the Renaissance English version of Corpus Christi carol arranged by Harvey). The children came away saying “when can we do this again?” Their confidence and joy infected the whole audience and was an excellent start to the festivities of Advent.

Nia Collins, says:

"I couldn't be more proud of what these children achieved in their performance on Friday night in such a short period of time, what incredible musicians they already are! It was such an amazing opportunity for them to perform at such a high level in a top concert venue with professional musicians and they rose to the occasion admirably"

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.

Groove Foundation

Over the past year, Groove Foundation have been recording regular videos from their living rooms and bedrooms at home, to share on the music hub YouTube channel. 

Elliot, the lead singer, explains:

“It was a bit weird at first, because you don’t know what it will sound like until it all comes together. When I’m recording, it’s just me singing and I have no idea how it will sound. Knowing my performance was being recorded, I would work hard to get everything sounding just right. I would kick mum and dad out to the garden to make sure the sound recording was really clear, and keep retaking until I got it right.”

“Elliot really took the videos on as a personal mission” adds Groove Foundation band leader Aidan, who also edited together the band’s video performances.

The virtual performances had an unexpected benefit too, as Elliot explains:

“My friends often can’t come to our live performances, but they have been able to watch the videos all year. We get excited for the premier, and then it’s really fun to see it all sounding great together.”

Over the past year, Elliot has also been able to have music lessons to help develop her singing, thanks to funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund. Elliot tells us what a difference this has made:

“It’s been so cool to have singing lessons to help me improve. Being in Groove Foundation is what got me into singing properly, and now I’m getting better all the time.”

Last week, Groove Foundation returned to a real life stage, after over a year away, with an eight song set at The Point. Elliot tells us what it was like:

“It was really fun to be back. It’s the best feeling. The whole band is there, you can hear everyone again, and you turn around and can see everyone else enjoying themselves. I had to remember to look after my voice though. You can’t take a break like you can when you’re recording at home!”

And it’s not just on stage that being back with the band makes a huge difference. Elliot again:

“It’s so fun to see everyone, deciding the set list, making choices as a band, and helping each other out again. We’re there to support each other after the show too, to share the excitement, and chat about how things went.”

— Elliot, Singer

Matt Brombley, Development Manager for Southampton Music Hub adds:

“Elliot, and her bandmates in Groove Foundation are inspirational examples of the resilience so many young musicians have shown this year. We know how hard it has been, missing out on so many of the shared experiences that make music-making so enjoyable, but they have done an exceptional job keeping things going online, with their impressive video performances, and then returning to the stage this summer.”

It’s not just Groove Foundation that have been back on stage. This summer, music hub bands, orchestras and other groups have been rehearsing and performing together again. If you’d like to join a music group, then find out more on our ensembles page.

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.”

With changes to guidance allowing, more young musicians across the city are returning to face-to-face rehearsals for their bands, orchestras and other musical groups this week.

As so many young musicians shared in out “In Conversation” series over the past few months, the opportunity to be amongst friends and fellow musicians, making music together, is something they love, and something they couldn’t wait to get back to.

Zoe Hunting, Ensembles Manager, says:
”We are delighted that the change in the Out of Schools Settings Guidance this week has enabled us to increase the size of our groups that can now rehearse together. It has simply been fantastic to hear our ensembles back in action again this term and even more so this week with the larger groups. This also means our younger ensembles can now start recruiting new players. If you know a young musician who would like to get involved please get in touch.”

This week’s conversation is with two rock bands, Groove Foundation and Groove Merchant who have been producing monthly virtual performances since last summer.  Here we talk to the director of both bands Aidan Hampson, one of the vocal coaches Hannah Castleman, and some of players from both bands. 

Please take time to listen to some of the bands virtual performances which can be found on the events page of the Southampton Music Hub website - https://www.southamptonmusichub.org/events/

Both Groove bands have been producing monthly virtual performances.  Why did you decide to work towards regular virtual performances?
AH - We decided to see the lockdown and online rehearsals as a new challenge. How can we still make music together without being in the same room? We’ve all been really pleased with how the videos have turned out, but we’ve also been rehearsing new repertoire for when we can all get back together.

What have you enjoyed about working towards virtual performances?

Player A - It's good to see an output from all the rehearsing.

Player B - I have enjoyed releasing the music online for people to be able to watch and still enjoy the music we produce. As well as that, it is nice to still be able to participate in Groove Merchant even if we are unable to practice in person. 

What has impressed you most about the bands whilst they have been working online?
AH - The resilience of the musicians has been inspiring. There’s nothing quite like making music in the same room as each other, and when this was no longer possible the bands seamlessly moved into online rehearsals - it became the new normal very quickly and demonstrated their tenacity towards producing music whatever the odds.

HC - I have been really impressed by the students' dedication to learning the songs and their ability to work together even though they are working remotely. They communicate well and come up with clear and exciting ideas for harmonies. They respond well to the challenge of working on singing together, even though they won't be singing together until the video is edited! 

What have the challenges been running online rehearsals?
AH - Not being able to play at the same time without muting the students has been frustrating. With such small groups, there is a different type of relationship between the players as opposed to the larger ensembles. It has been challenging to keep that going, but I’m sure that the videos show that the students managed it brilliantly.

HC - It's really tricky working on things like harmonies, articulation and dynamics when it's not always clear over camera/microphone, or when students can't actually perform together in these situations. However, the students are really happy to try things out and have adapted well to working differently. I'm really looking forward to them being able to perform again - I think they will be so surprised to hear what they have achieved and how it really will translate very well into a live performance! 

Player C - Obviously we can’t actually run through our songs because of the delay so I’ve missed being able to feel the sound from the drums and other guitars and have that live music atmosphere 

In the absence of being able to meet in person, what have you enjoyed about online rehearsals?

Player C - I have enjoyed that we have been able to get through a lot more songs in a shorter period of time as we are now going towards much more challenging and fun songs for the band 

Player D - Being able to stay home and rehearse without travelling to the rehearsal room.

What have the challenges been producing regular virtual performances for the bands.
AH - This has been the first time that the students have had to work with click tracks so closely. They have also had to consider video angles and microphone placement. It’s been a steep learning curve but to watch the videos become as good as they are has made it all worthwhile!

What skills do you feel you have developed through online rehearsals?

Player A – I’ve practised guitar even more while in lockdowns as there are limited opportunities for going outside and it gives a focus away from school work.

Player E - Recording abilities

Player D - Vocalising your problems and explaining clearly any difficulties.

This week we talk to staff and players from Pulse8, including director, Kevin Withell, and assistant, Amber Waterman.  

What is the role of Pulse8 in Southampton Music Hub's wind band pyramid?

KW: Pulse8 is the middle wind band, taking students from the beginner groups at about Grade 3 standard, giving them their first experience in a wind band. We play a range of music: all sorts of styles and level of difficulty, ultimately making sure that they're prepared, experienced and confident for the step up into Southampton Wind Band.

What do you enjoy most about the music in you play in Pulse8?

Player A: I enjoy that we play all sorts of different styles of music, including film music. Our conductor Kevin makes the rehearsals really fun and knows how to help us make the best sound we can together.

What has impressed you most about Pulse8 players whilst rehearsals have been online?

AW: We've been most impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm shown throughout our online sessions. We've also had the privilege of working with some young musicians from the Isle of Wight, who have been joining us online while their ensembles have been unable to operate. They've become part of the band, and our students have made them feel very welcome.

What have you missed most about not being able to meet in person for Pulse8 rehearsals?

Player B: Everything! My friends, the music, performing!

Have there been any particular challenges to running the group online?

KW: It was difficult to begin with, as none of us really knew what to expect or how to make it work. Over the course of these few months, thanks to a lot of patience and honest feedback from the students, we've settled on a system which allows the students to learn and understand the music, to practise their parts, to understand and follow a conductor, to understand other musical lines in the piece and, most importantly, to enjoy themselves and maintain the friendly social atmosphere of the band.

What has been challenging about taking part in online rehearsals?

Player A: It is challenging not being able to hear the other musicians playing their parts and I don't know other people yet because rehearsals have been online since I joined Pulse8.

Have you been able to include any activities that you wouldn't normally be able to do in a face to face rehearsal?

KW and AW: As the students haven't been able to have real social contact, we've been breaking up the rehearsals with short, fun quizzes. This has developed a friendly competition in the band, and has given the students the opportunity to work together and have interesting conversations that wouldn't normally come up in day-to-day rehearsal. We've also managed to make several of the quizzes music-related, so have been able to subtly and stealthily develop aural and theory skills.

What new skills have you learnt whilst Pulse8 rehearsals being online?

Player B: How to play along to a backing track, even when it’s lagging because of our bad wifi signal!

Player A: I have learnt how to record individual music parts for virtual concerts. We also have fun kahoot quizzes at the beginning and in the break of each rehearsal about composers, instruments and music theory. I won a Disney quiz but I find the musical ones hard!

A young brass player taking part in the Symphony 125 project in 2019.

For those missing Strictly Come Dancing, Southampton Music Hub has put together a school’s ensemble performance project – Strictly Come Dance.

Southampton Youth Brass Band have been working on creating a virtual performance of Let’s Get Loud by Gloria Estefan and Flavio Santander. This performance will provide the backing track for the primary and secondary schools activity. Southampton Music Services teacher, John Hanchett, has written additional school parts for all instruments, levels and abilities as well creating the final video of SYBB’s performance.  

Southampton Youth Brass Band is directed by Paul Hart and the band’s assistant is Kevin Withell. Here Paul, Kevin and some band members talk about what it has meant to be part of this city-wide project and their experiences and achievements whilst rehearsals have had to be online.  

What has being part of the Let's Get Loud project meant for SYBB?

PH - Let's Get Loud has been an exciting project for the students, giving them something to work towards, with a new positive focus for the rehearsals.

What have the difficulties been preparing for the virtual performance of Let's Get Loud?

Player A - Learning the part, practicing it and following the conductor over the internet.

Is Let's Get Loud a breakaway from the music normally played by the band?

KW - The band is used to playing in a range of styles, and has worked in the past with other bands and choirs.  The idea of learning the parts without being able to play it together, and recording and videoing individually has been a new and challenging experience.

What have SYBB been able to achieve whilst rehearsing online?

PH - The achievements of SYBB Online will be easier to gauge once we're back to normality. The positives are that we still have a functioning band, full of students who have been given opportunities to keep on learning and playing throughout the lockdowns. They've been able to get a headstart on learning the music and their individual parts ahead of coming back together, and we've been able to maintain a sense of continuity with the students, both musically and socially.

What have the challenges been taking part in online rehearsals?

Player A - Internet connections and the loss of the band dynamic that’s present when we are all together.

What has really impressed you about the band whilst they have rehearsed online?

PH - What has impressed us most has been the continuing commitment from the large percentage of the band who have been logging in every week. Rehearsing online has required a lot of patience and open-mindedness from students and staff alike. The fact that these students have so much commitment to the band, that they have not shrunk away from the challenges of embracing an entirely new and often difficult way of rehearsing does them real credit.

What is your proudest moment of being a member of SYBB?

Player A - Playing in the concerts, it’s very rewarding to see all the hard work pay off !!

What are you looking forward to most when SYBB can meet face to face again?

Player B - Seeing my friends

Player A - I am most looking forward to playing in a full band, with the sound and dynamic that it will bring. I am especially looking forward to performing, so we can show off all of the progress we have made, with all of the hard work that we put in.

Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonia (SYCS) is the training orchestra for the Southampton Music Hub’s flagship Southampton Youth Orchestra (SYO). Since September they have been having weekly online rehearsals and during February, they worked with composer Patrick Bailey, from the London Sinfonietta, on a composition project.

For this project, players from SYCS have jointly composed a new piece and have recorded themselves playing their parts. SYCS’s recordings will then form part of a larger composition performed by musicians from the London Sinfonietta in their live streamed school’s concert, “Sound Out 2021”. from the Turner Sims on Tuesday 23 March 2021.

Below is a conversation with joint directors, Anna Robinson and Kevin Withell, and young musicians from SYCS. about online rehearsals and the composition project.

What have been your aims for running SYCS rehearsals online?

AR: The primary aim for running SYCS rehearsals online has been to sustain the SYCS community through this unusual time. In addition to this, we have been wanting to use this time as opportunity to explore new projects and repertoire which we may not have explored if we were rehearsing in person. This has included exploring large scale works through the BBC ten pieces series such as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, running an introduction to Alexander Technique with trained osteopath and Alexander Technique teacher Ian Traynar and an exciting compositional project with musicians from the London Sinfonietta.

Anna Robinson in rehearsal with SYCS.

What have you enjoyed about online rehearsals?

Player A: We still got to see each other and play pieces, like the video of A Million Dreams that we put together. Having the video altogether made it easier to share with friends and family.

Player B: Not feeling so embarrassed when you make a mistake. When you are online, no one can see or hear you.

What have been the challenges of achieving these aims?

KW: Being online affects ease of communication, and creates a difficulty in 'reading the room' - deciding whether to have a play through rehearsal or a nitty gritty rehearsal, what tone to strike and when to finish or move on from a section are largely down to guesswork. Not being able to help individual players and sections like we normally would makes us worried that certain players may be feeling left out.

What has impressed you the most about SYCS players taking part in online rehearsals?

AR: The continued positive attitude, humour and dedication that all players have bought to rehearsal which makes this orchestra so special! The enthusiasm and resilience of the members in this unusual situation has been amazing. If this situation has reinforced anything for me as a director, it is how incredible the young musicians of Southampton are. Their support for their peers and also their directors has been invaluable and as a result the community feel that SYCS is known is still very much present.

KW: The enthusiasm shown by all members coming along, and their willingness to accept the situation for what it is and help us to make the best of it.

What do you miss most about not being able to rehearse face to face?

Player C: I miss being able to follow a conductor, hearing and staying in time with the other musicians.

Player D: Playing as a group and being in contact with friends.

SYCS players in rehearsal.

Anna and Kevin why did you put SYCS forward to the Composition Challenge Project with London Sinfonietta?

AR: As a director, I received the information about the project and thought it was such a fantastic opportunity to work with professional musicians and work on a something completely different which ultimately will allow us to perform virtually with the London Sinfonietta at the end of March, an opportunity too exciting to pass up!

What do you think the group has gained from taking part?

KW: This has been an opportunity for SYCS players to access a part of their creativity that they normally wouldn't be encouraged to access in normal rehearsals. It has also been invaluable to GCSE and A-Level music students, and any younger students who are considering higher level music qualifications, who have benefitted from being introduced to new and different ways of approaching composition.

What have you enjoyed about the London Sinfonietta Composition Challenge project?

Player C: I have had a lot of fun contributing ideas into a composition and seeing how they develop.

Player D: We get think of our own tunes. It was tricky to think of it the mathematical way, but it was was interesting.

Have you done much composing before?

Player A: No, but I might try to compose something in the future for a school project (like when you do a video in IT and you need to add music, I can add my own). Making music with numbers was also really fun.

Player B: Yes. It was nice to be faced with new/different opportunities and challenges.

SYCS concentrating during a SYCS rehearsal.

What are your online plans for the rest of this term.?

AR: We are going to continue to explore a range of repertoire from BBC Ten Pieces including West Side Story’s Mambo. We also have a rehearsal which lands on St Patrick’s day, so we are going to take the opportunity to explore folk music with a folk specialist. We will round off the term celebrating the range of repertoire and styles we have explored and watching our London Sinfonietta performance as an orchestra.

KW: To continue providing varied and exciting musical projects for the students, exploring a range of musical styles, and keeping their passion for the orchestra alive while we wait to come back to normal.

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! “

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. 

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!