11th – 26th March 2026
South and City College, Digbeth, Bradshaw Hall,
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or the CBSO Centre
CONCERT PROGRAMMES
On behalf of Services For Education, it is my pleasure to welcome parents, carers, supporters, colleagues, and most importantly, our ensemble members to the 2026 Schools’ Gala Concerts.
We are immensely proud of our school‑based programme. It gives students the chance to move beyond individual lessons and experience the joy of making music together. These shared moments create lasting memories that stay with young people long after their school days. For many, tonight may spark a new creative journey, inspiring them to join our Central Ensembles and expand their musical horizons. Indeed, many of our most advanced musicians began in school ensembles just like the ones performing this evening.
The variety and quality of tonight’s programme reflect the dedication and hard work taking place in our schools every day. None of this would be possible without our committed school‑based staff and our talented conductors, and I offer them my heartfelt thanks for everything they have contributed to these performances.
My final thanks go to you – the families and friends. Your encouragement, support, and occasional (but essential!) reminders to practise are what make nights like this possible. Your belief in music education plays a vital role in the development of Birmingham’s young people. The partnership between families, schools, and the Music Service is what enriches these opportunities, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.
I hope you enjoy the concerts.
Richard Mabbott
Head of Music Service
*Photography/Filming Guidance For Parents/Carers and Concert Attendees - Please Read*
This information is for concert attendees who do not work for Services For Education.
- Services For Education will not take and use identifiable images of children and young people (under 18 years old) at these concerts for marketing or promotional purposes.
- At events we ask parents/carers to be mindful of other children and ensure photos are only for personal use. Should you wish to share a photograph on social media, it must be a long-range photograph that doesn’t clearly identify any other children/young people.
- Please check your privacy settings on your social media account to understand who else will be able to view any images they share.
- Where photographs are taken at an event attended by large crowds (a concert or awards event for example), this is regarded as a public area, so it is not necessary to get permission of everyone in a crowd shot. However, we will always gain permission from parents/carers for any children who appear and are identifiable in these images.
- If you have any concerns about images being shared, please contact us at marketing@servicesforeducation.co.uk or if you have any questions relating to data protection please contact the company’s Data Protection Officer, tel: (0)121 366 9950, email dpo@servicesforeducation.co.uk
Please ensure you purchase the right tickets for the correct DATE AND VENUE.
South and City College, Digbeth, 11 March
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Wednesday 11th March 2026 – Rock and Pop Gala Concert
South and City College, Digbeth
6:30pm
Compere – Andrew Straw
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Bournville Secondary School
SFE Leader: Steve Palmer and Cris Tolley
| Teenage Kicks |
Undertones, John Joseph O’ Neil |
| Iris |
The Goo Goo Dolls, John T. Rzeznik |
Harborne Academy
SFE Leader: Steve Palmer
Kings Heath Secondary School. Band name; A U
SFE Leader: Wes Bonham
| Fly Away |
Lenny Kravitz |
| Smells Like Teen Spirt |
Kurt Cobain |
| Believer |
Imagine Dragons |
Lindsworth School Ensemble
SFE Leader: Hazel Buller
| Been There |
Deirdre Cartwright |
| Fallout |
Charlie Griffiths & Jason Bowld |
| Do I Wanna Know |
Arctic Monkeys |
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Queensbridge School – Jazz Band
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Queensbridge School – Noize
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Concerts 23 - 26 March
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Monday 23rd March 2026 – Concert 1
Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
6:30pm
Compere – Adam Hickman
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Bournville Village Primary School SFE Leader: Saphran Ali
| Five Note Philharmonic Medley (Biscuit Club Boogie, Winter Garden Waltz, Friday’s Foxtrot) |
Sarah Watts |
| Call Me Al |
Paul Simon |
Cofton Primary Ensemble SFE Leader: Hazel Buller
| A Village Wedding |
Debbie Cracknell |
| He’s a Pirate, |
Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer, Nick Chamberlain |
King Edward VI Handsworth Boys School Brass Ensemble SFE Leader: Naomi Stevenson
| 20th Century Fox Fanfare |
Alfred Newman arr. N Stevenson |
| Eye of the Tiger |
Sullivan/Peterik arr. W Belshaw |
| Pirates of the Caribbean |
Hans Zimmer arr. N Stevenson (with St Francis Concert Band) |
Lordswood School for Girls Woodwind Ensemble SFE Leader: Mary Wakelam Sloan
| Mamma Mia |
Words and Music by Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, arranged by Michael Story |
| Voyage to Mars |
Mark Goddard, arranged by A. Rawlins |
| He’s a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean |
Badelt and Zimmer, arranged by Z. Marklew |
Oasis Short Heath Academy SFE Leader: Zoe Marklew
| Chip Chop Charlie |
Sarah Watts arr. Marklew |
| Ballad |
Heather Hammond arr. Z Marklew |
| In The Jungle |
Solomon Linda arr. Z Marklew |
St Francis Concert Band SFE Leaders: Naomi Stevenson and Chris Bowden
| Lord of the Dance |
Trad Irish arr. Taylor |
| The Simpsons |
Danny Elfman arr. N Stevenson |
| Pirates of the Caribbean |
Hans Zimmer arr. N Stevenson (with KEVI Handsworth Boys Brass Ensemble) |
St Laurence Church Junior School SFE Leader: Zoe Marklew
| A Million Dreams |
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul arr. Z Marklew |
| Defying Gravity |
Stephen Schwartz arr. Z Marklew |
| Star Wars Theme |
John Williams arr. Z Marklew |
St Wilfrid’s School Ensemble SFE Leader: Penny Lord
| Pink Lady (Charanga) |
Jan Utbult, arr: middle section composed by members of ensemble |
| Tango Cha Cha |
D R Bellwood, arr: P Lord |
| Polaroid love |
Enhypen, arr: P Lord |
Swanshurst School SFE Leader: Helen Robert
| Imperial March |
John Williams, arranged by Michael Story |
| Theme from the New World Symphony |
Dvorak, arranged by H. Robert |
| The Wallace and Gromit theme |
Julian Nott, arranged by C. Holmes |
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Tuesday 24th March 2026 – Concert 2
Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
6:30pm
Compere – Richard Mabbott
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Bass Makers – Colmore Junior School
SFE Leader: Liz Cochrane
| Japanese Celebration ( Mura matsuri) |
David and Kathy Blackwell |
| African song (Meehan m’tsvene ) |
David and Kathy Blackwell |
| American Adventure |
David and Kathy Blackwell |
Colmore Junior School Choir and Kings Heath Primary School Choir
SFE Leader: Sarah Mapp
| Stargazing |
Myles Smith |
| Thina Singumlilo |
trad. Zulu |
| Zoo |
Shakira, Ed Sheeran & Blake Slatkin |
Hamstead Hall Ensemble
SFE Leader: Rob Jones
| Blue Triangle |
Richard and Ed Duckett, arr. R Jones |
| Somebody I used to Know |
Gotye, arr. R Jones |
Lakey Lane Primary
SFE Leader: Laura Tabrett
| Totally Blessed |
Sarah Watts |
| Daisy Chain Walk |
Sarah Watts |
| Night Light |
Sarah Watts |
| Av’s Anthem |
Sarah Watts |
Our Lady of Fatima Ensemble
SFE Leader: Uta Mulenga
| Ghost Train |
Kathy and David Blackwell |
| Big Wheel Waltz |
Kathy and David Blackwell |
| Rock’n’rollercoaster |
Kathy and David Blackwell |
Queensbridge Orchestra
SFE Leader: Craig Holmes
| Taylor Swift on Tour |
Arr. Michael Brown |
| Blinding Lights |
The Weekend. Arr. C. Holmes |
St. Michael’s C of E Primary School Brass Ensemble
SFE Leader: Helen Hadlington
| Les Bouffons |
Composer: Arbeau, Arr. D R Bellwood |
| Egyptian Groove |
Mark Walker |
| Cowboys R Coming |
Mark Walker |
St Teresa’s Percussion Ensemble
SFE Leader: Euan Palmer
| Amawole, Traditional song from Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Collectively arranged |
| Jump Into The Fog |
The Wombats |
| Wallkies |
Vulfpeck |
The Oaks Percussion Ensemble
SFE Leader: Suzie Reid
| Jam Sambawich |
Lee Stanley |
| Calypso Dream |
Kevin Tuck |
Westminster Primary
SFE Leader: Laura Tabrett
| Supersub |
Mark Walker |
| Chachachachacha |
Mark Walker |
| We Found Love |
Calvin harris arr. Laura Tabrett |
| Boogie Shoes |
Mark Walker |
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BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Wednesday 25th March 2026 – Concert 4
Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
6:30pm
Compere – Paul Douglas
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Birches Green Primary Violin Ensemble
SFE Leader: Anna Vaughan
| Something Just Like This |
Coldplay, Anna Vaughan |
| Lovely |
Billie Eilish, Arranged by pupils from Birches Green |
Fairfax School Band
SFE Leader: Craig Holmes
| Da Do Ron Ron |
The Crystals. Arr. C. Holmes |
| California Dreamin’ |
Mamas & Papas. Arr. C. Holmes |
| Heaven |
Bryan Adams. Arr. C. Holmes |
Grendon School Ensemble
SFE Leader: Lilian Marks
| Tango and Cha Cha |
D R Bellwood |
| Heading South |
Latin American arr. Edward Huws Jones |
| Broadway or Bust |
Kathy and David Blackwell |
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Hillstone Primary School
SFE Leader: Verena Lauer
| Hungarian Folk Song |
Traditional |
| Twinkle, Twinkle little star |
Traditional |
| Easter Blossom |
Traditional |
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Holy Cross Primary School
SFE Leader: Ben Muirhead
| Maggie In The Wood |
Traditional |
| Tralee Jane |
Traditional |
| Over The Waterfall |
Henry Reed |
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Kings Norton Girls School
SFE Leader: Rebecca Wright
| How to Train your Dragon |
John Powell, arr. Miyori Toshiba |
| Cantique de Jean Racine |
Gabriel Faure, arr. Trevor Wye |
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New Oscott and Whitehouse Common Guitar Ensemble
SFE Leader: Dean Noble
| I’m Yours |
Jason Mraz, arr. Noble |
| Whiskey In The Jar |
Trad Irish, arr. Noble |
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Plantsbrook School Dhol Ensemble
SFE Leader: Jagdev Saini
| Traditional Dhol Folk Medley | Â |
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St Bernard’s School
SFE Leader: Nina Lin
| Arriba | Â |
| Power Rock | Â |
| Uptown Brass | Â |
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Whitehouse Common Orchestra
SFE Leader: Sara Wilson
| Shrimp Society Samba |
Sarah Watts |
| Steve’s Lava Chicken |
Jack Black arr S Wilson |
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Thursday 26th March 2026 – Concert 5
Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
6:30pm
Compere – Kate O’Malley
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Acocks Green Primary School Orchestra
SFE Leader: Emily Baptiste
| Jive |
Sarah Watts, arr Baptiste |
| Beauty and the Beast |
Alan Menken, arr Baptiste |
| The Pirates of the Caribbean |
Hans Zimmer, arr Baptiste |
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Ark Boulton Academy and Ark Victoria Academy
SFE Leader: Pritpal Singh Rai
| Samba Medley |
Pritpal Singh Rai |
| Viking drums |
Arranged by Pritpal Singh Rai |
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Bishop Vesey’s School String Ensemble
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Boldmere Junior School
SFE Leader: Louis Robinson
| Amavolovolo |
Trad South African, Arr Buskaid |
| America Latina |
Marcos Valle / Paulo Sergio Valle, Arr Louis Robinson |
| Dinah, |
Harry Akst / Sam M Lewis, Arr Louis Robinson |
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Cockshut Hill School
SFE Leader: Chris Bowden
| Cockshut blues |
Composed by band |
| Unknown |
Composed by band |
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Elms Farm Primary School
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Lordswood Boys Percussion Club
SFE Leader: Jonathan Gaze
| Own compositions by Percussion Club | Â |
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Ninestiles Academy
SFE Leader: Inderjit Singh
| Karan Aujla – for a reason |
arranger – Inderjit Singh Bains |
| Folk rhythms | Â |
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Pop Symphony Ensemble – Lordswood Boys
SFE Leader: Sally Hobbs and Maisie Stewart
| This Is Me – Greatest Showman |
arr Maisie Stewart |
| Ordinary |
Alex Warren arr Sally Hobbs |
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St Augustines Flute Ensemble
SFE Leader: Emma Whitcroft
| Strudel Waltz |
Sarah Watts |
| German Tune |
Traditional |
| Tango |
D R Bellwood |
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The Rosary Catholic Primary School
CBSO Centre Concerts 24 & 26 March
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Tuesday 24th March 2026 – Concert 3
CBSO Centre
6:30pm
Compere – Helen Brookes
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Abbey Catholic Primary School
SFE Leader: Hannah Nevins
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Birmingham Schools Steel Band North
SFE Leader: Stephon Phillip
|
Brazil |
Ary Barroso, arranged by Brent Holder, |
|
Go Let It Out |
Noel Gallagher, arranged by Stephon Phillip |
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Cherry Orchard Primary School Orchestra
SFE Leader: Jessica Lawrence
|
The Traitors |
Sam Watts. Arr J Lawrence. |
|
Ode to Joy |
Beethoven. Arr J Lawrence. |
|
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik |
Mozart. Arr J Lawrence |
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St Edward’s Catholic Primary School String Group
SFE Leader: Kate Sidhu
|
Fairy Dance |
arr Huws Jones |
|
In Dreams |
Howard Shore arr k Sidhu |
|
Drowsy Maggie |
arr huws Jones |
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St George’s C of E school choir
SFE Leader: Rebecca Prentice
|
Many Shades Of Blue |
Christopher Williams |
|
Up, Up And Away |
Al Start |
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St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Band
SFE Leader: Alicia Hillman
|
How to Train Your Dragon |
Arr. A.Hillman |
|
I.D.K. |
Jim Evans |
|
Star Wars Imperial March |
A.Hillman |
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St. Mary’s CofE String Ensemble
SFE Leader: Kirsteen Scott
|
Prelude |
Brian Balmages |
|
Pizzicato Fizz |
Stephen Rosenhaus |
|
Fiery Fiddler |
Thomas Gregory |
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The Dame Ellen Pinsent School
SFE Leader: Helen Brookes
|
I’ve got Peace like a River |
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|
Tango |
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|
Anna Lou |
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William Murdoch Primary School Brass Group
SFE Leader: Matthew Ludford-King
|
Weekday blues |
Jock McKenzie |
|
Down Georgia Way |
Jock McKenzie |
|
Township & Co |
Jock McKenzie |
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William Murdoch Primary School Sitar and Tabla Group
SFE Leader: Gurdeep Singh Dharni
|
Kaafi Raga – Snake Dance beat |
G S Dharni |
|
Raga Pilu – Folk Bhangra Beat |
G S Dharni |
|
Raga Madhuvani – Gidha Traditional Punjabi beat |
G S Dharni |
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World’s End Junior School
SFE Leader: Wai Yin Yeung
|
Over To You |
 |
|
Terrible twos |
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|
Who’s calling? |
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BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Thursday 26th March 2026 – Concert 6
CBSO Centre
6:30pm
Compere – Ruth Roberts
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Featherstone Primary School
SFE Leader: Ann-Marie Hopper
| Shrimp Society Samba |
Sarah Watts |
| Sweet Leaf |
Sarah Watts |
| APT |
Bruno Mars & RosĂ© – arr. Ann-Marie Hopper |
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Hallfield Chamber Choir
SFE Leader: Ruth Roberts
| How Many Stars |
Sarah Coleman |
| Talking To The Moon |
Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Albert Winkler, and Jeff Bhasker |
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Hallfield Guitar Ensemble
SFE Leader: Simon Matthews
| Mild Thing |
J. Longworth & N. Walker |
| Gallop |
P. Nuttall |
| Boom Boom |
John Lee Hooker |
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Harborne Primary School Choir
SFE Leader: Mrs Louise Al-Chalabi
| Janie Mama |
Traditional calypso |
| Sing Like Never Before |
Words and Music by Mark and Helen Johnson |
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King Edwards Sheldon Heath School Band
SFE Leader: Alexander S Cottrell
| Mamma Mia |
Abba, Arr : Alexander S Cottrell |
| America |
Bernstein, Arr: Alexander S Cottrell |
| All that Jazz, – Joint Item with St Cuthberts |
John Kander, Arr: Alexander S Cottrell |
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Priestley Smith School
SFE Leader: Helen Phipps
| A medley of songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat |
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber |
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Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
SFE Leader: Stephon Phillip
| Trombone |
Frank Francois, Irwin R Johnson, arranged by Stephon Phillip |
| Glad You Came |
Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, Ed Drewitt, arranged by Stephon Phillip |
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St Cuthberts Brass Group
SFE Leader: Alexander S Cottrell
| Food Glorious food |
Lionel Bart, arr: Alexander S Cottrell |
| All that Jazz, – Joint Item with KE Sheldon Heath |
John Kander, Arr: Alexander S Cottrell |
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St Michael’s C of E Primary Handsworth Steel Pan Ensemble
SFE Leader: Owen Clarke
| Autumn Leaves |
Joseph Kosma Owen Clarke |
| Pure Imagination |
Lesley Bricusse & Anthony Newley / Owen Clarke |
| The 12th of Never |
Jerry Livingston . Owen Clarke |
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Waverley Clarinet Ensemble
SFE Leader: Alicia Hillman
| I.D.K |
Jim Evans |
| The Wellerman Theme |
Arr. A.Hillman |
| Paint it Black |
Arr.A.Hillman |
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SFE Ensembles Hoodies & T-shirts FOR SALE
As it’s Spring concert season, we are pleased to say that our SFE Ensembles hoodies and t-shirts are available to order. But this can only be done via the link below.
In collaboration with Wave-Ed, a Birmingham-based design and print company, we are excited to offer Ensembles hoodies and t-shirts, with at least ÂŁ7 from every sale being donated to SFE.
As with most good things, there is a limited time window. The online shop will close for orders on Friday 3rd April, 9.00 am. The orders will then be printed and delivered to Ensembles late in April for distribution.
They are available in a range of sizes, with t-shirts available in black and grey, and hoodies available in grape (purple), pacific (green), turquoise (blue), black and grey. You also have the option of personalisation if you wish (up to four letters).
Hoodies – Unpersonalised £25 / Personalised £28
T-Shirts – Unpersonalised £20 / Personalised £23
To all our individual donors for all your support
We want to express an enormous amount of gratitude to all of you who donate individually to our charitable causes, it really makes a difference.
Services For Education creates opportunities for disadvantaged children, young people and adults in Birmingham and for every donation you make, you make a difference to someone else’s life by giving them opportunity to be a part of a fully funded ensemble, receive an instrument at no cost to their family, as well as becoming socially connected.
WHY SUPPORT US
At Services For Education, we know that music changes lives.
By providing our music ensembles and many of our music lessons for free, we ensure that children in Birmingham have the opportunity to learn a new instrument, to feel socially connected and to find and share a passion and skill with others, no matter what their background is.
Remove Financial Barriers to Music
We provide free instrument loans to those who need them and all of our ensembles are free, making them accessible to everyone.
Provide a Better Music Education for All
Playing as part of an ensemble and performing live to audiences are really important skills for a full and enriched music education.
Provide a Community for Children in Birmingham
Our ensembles players have a chance to become part of our community, socialise with friends and share their passion for music.
our concerts are supported by:
