Book your tickets here:
13th – 16th July 2026
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
CONCERT PROGRAMME
13th – 16th July 2026, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Services For Education’s Birmingham Youth Proms are a highlight in the musical year of Birmingham’s schools, bringing together more than 4,500 young instrumentalists and singers, aged 8 to 18. These concerts will feature music from a variety of genres and are a culmination of the work SFE has been doing in schools and at ensemble centres throughout 2025-26. The concerts will have BSL interpretation.
*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
CONCERT PROGRAMMES
A Warm Welcome to the 2026 Youth Proms
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 Youth Proms.
Our SFE ensembles programme is central to what we do, giving students the wonderful opportunity to transition from individual lessons into the shared joy of making music together. These experiences build lifelong memories. For many, these concerts mark the beginning of a new musical journey, encouraging them to progress into our Central Ensembles and expand their creative potential—much like the advanced musicians before them who started in these exact same groups.
The diverse and high-calibre repertoire featured across these four nights of performances highlights the continuous dedication found across all our ensembles. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our incredible SFE ensembles staff and talented conductors, whose hard work and commitment make these performances possible.
A Fond Farewell to Sarah Smith
As we celebrate the incredible achievements of our young musicians, we also want to take a moment to bid a fond farewell to Sarah Smith, our long-standing trustee and former Chair. Sarah has dedicated years of invaluable service to Services For Education, guiding us with passion, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. We are deeply grateful for her immense contribution, and she will be greatly missed by the entire team. We wish her the absolute best for the future.
Thank You for Your Continued Support
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful families and friends. Your constant encouragement, support, and those essential reminders to practise are the real foundation behind the success of these four nights. Your belief in the power of music education is vital to the growth of Birmingham’s young people. It is the strong partnership between families, schools, and the Music Service that truly enriches these opportunities, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.
I hope you enjoy the concerts.
Sharon Bell
Chief Executive, Services For Education
OUR COMPERE – Des Coleman
Des Coleman is a BAFTA winner and Royal Television Society Award recipient whose 30 years career spans film, theatre, and television. He first rose to fame playing the lovable rogue Lenny Wallace in EastEnders, a role he held for four years during which the show itself earned a BAFTA. He’s also appeared on numerous TV programs and starred in the Sky cult classic Is Harry on the Boat. His powerful performance in the film Simple earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Santa Monica Film Festival.
Des has played lead roles in major West End productions including Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Rent (Shaftesbury Theatre), and Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre) under the direction of Sir Trevor Nunn.
A seasoned broadcaster he trained at the Met office for his role as a weather presenter with his engaging presence making him a fan favourite on Inside Out, and The Politics show. After presenting on The One Show for 3 years he joined ITV to win two more RTS Awards for ITV News Central and Good Morning Britain.
Des continues to inspire as a dynamic host and motivational speaker across the UK and is taking his ‘Swing and Musicals’ show to Derby Theatre: Coventry Albany: Tamworth Assembly Rooms: Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and Wolverhampton Grand in July, Sept and November.
OUR BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER – Sarah Butt
Sarah Butt is a registered British Sign Language interpreter specialising in interpreting within the arts, particularly theatre and music. Working all over the UK, Sarah is based in the Midlands, and provides BSL interpretation for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra family, schools and relaxed concerts series.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Monday 13th July 2026
7.00 pm
Birmingham Schools’ Percussion Ensemble
Conductor: Bethan Jones
| Cemetery Salsa |
Brian Slawson |
| Yurikago (A Japanese Lullaby) |
Shinsaku Kusakawa |
| Stardust |
Clark Hubbard |
Birmingham Schools’ Training Orchestra
Conductor: Matthew Ludford-King
| Wallace and Gromit |
Julian Nott arr. Johnnie Vinson |
| Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonnie Doon |
Trad. Scottish arr. Michael Sweeney |
| Shakespeare Meets Godzilla (The Good Bard and the Ugly) |
Robert Buckley |
| Obi Wan (from Obi-Wan Kenobi) |
John Williams arr. Johnnie Vinson |
Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band (South)
Conductor: Stephon Phillip
| Place Your Hands |
Gary Stringer, Kenwyn House, Jack Beasant, Dominic Greensmith |
| This Melody Sweet |
Winsford Devines arr. Stephon Phillip |
| Smells Like Teen Spirit |
Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl arr. Stephon Phillip |
Birmingham Schools’ Primary Choir
Conductor: Sarah Mapp
Featuring:
Ark Boulton Academy
Ark Victoria Academy
Bournville Village Primary School
Clifton Primary School
Colmore Junior School
Harper Bell SDA School
Kings Heath Primary School
King’s Rise Academy
Mapledene Primary School
Oasis Academy Short Heath
St Columba’s Catholic Primary School
Star King Solomon Academy
The Timberley Academy
West Heath Academy
| Elton John Medley | Elton John and Bernie Taupin arr. SFE Vocal Team |
INTERVAL
Birmingham Schools’ Massed Ensemble (Accompanied by our Anchor Orchestra)
Conductor: Tom Stoneman
Featuring:
Ark Boulton Academy
Ark Victoria Academy
Bournville Village Primary School
Colmore Junior School
Fairfax Academy
Featherstone Primary School
Grendon Primary School
Hamstead Hall Academy
Hillstone Primary School
King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls
New Oscott Primary School
Ninestiles Academy
Oasis Academy Short Heath
Queensbridge School
Sacred Heart Catholic School
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
| Pigstep from Minecraft |
Lena Raine arr. Stephen Cai |
| Grasswalk from Plants vs Zombies |
Laura Shigihara arr. Emily Pedersen |
| Megalovania from Undertale |
Toby Fox arr. Grant Harville |
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble
Conductor: Nick Chamberlain
| Kalimba |
Jürg Kindle |
| Minor Swing |
Django Reinhardt arr. Nick Chamberlain |
| Viking Man |
Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero arr. Nick Chamberlain |
Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Daniele Rosina
Leader: Tara Sidhu
| Marche Au Supplice (Mvt 4 from Symphonie Fantastique) |
Hector Berlioz |
| Howl’s Moving Castle |
Joe Hisaishi arr. Andrea Tam |
| Overture to Die Fledermaus |
Johann Strauss |
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Tuesday 14th July 2026
7.00 pm
Birmingham Schools’ Double Reed Ensemble
Conductor: Lesley Morson
| Ladder Jive |
Stacey Berk |
| Intermezzo from Carmen Suite no. 1 |
Bizet arr. Lesley Morson |
| Fanfare for the Common Mandrel |
Stacey Berk |
Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Sinfonia
Conductor: Adam Hickman
| Rumba Flamenca |
Gareth Koch arr. Richard Charlton |
| Circle of Riffs |
Mark Houghton |
| La Castana (Malaguena) |
Ian Gammie |
Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra
Conductor: Kirsteen Scott
Leader: Chin Mak Hazel Yung
| Overture to The Magic Flute |
W.A.Mozart arr. Todd Parrish |
| Joyride |
Doug Spata |
| Fossils and Finale from The Carnival of the Animals |
Camille Saint- Saens arr. Todd Parrish |
| Morning Star |
Katie O’Hara LaBrie |
| Wheels of Fury |
Chris Thomas |
Birmingham Schools’ Primary Choir
Conductor: Sarah Mapp
Featuring:
Chilwell Croft Academy
Cofton Primary School
Cotteridge Primary School
Highfield Junior and Infant School
Kings Norton Primary School
Lakey Lane Primary School
Minworth Junior and Infant School
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School
Raddlebarn Primary School
Rednal Hill Junior School
Slade Primary School
St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School
St Francis C of E Primary School
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
St Mary’s C of E Primary School
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School
Turves Green Primary School
William Murdoch Primary School
Yardley Wood Community Primary School
| Elton John Medley |
Elton John and Bernie Taupin arr. SFE Vocal Team |
INTERVAL
Birmingham Schools’ Massed Ensemble (Accompanied by our Anchor Orchestra)
Conductor: Tom Stoneman
Featuring:
Abbey Catholic Primary School
Acocks Green Primary
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
Boldmere Junior School
Cherry Orchard Primary School
Cofton Primary School
King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
Lakey Lane Primary School
Mere Green Primary School
Our Lady of Fatima
Raddlebarn Primary School
Saint Bernard’s RC Primary
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School
St Francis CE Primary School
St Mary’s CE Primary School
St Michaels C of E Primary School, Bartley Green
St Michael’s CofE Primary Academy, Handsworth
Whitehouse Common Primary School
William Murdoch Primary School
| Pigstep from Minecraft |
Lena Raine arr. Stephen Cai |
| Grasswalk from Plants vs Zombies |
Laura Shigihara arr. Emily Pedersen |
| Megalovania from Undertale |
Toby Fox arr. Grant Harville |
Birmingham Schools’ Singers with Ex Cathedra Senior Academy
Conductor: Thomas Lenthall
Accompanist: William Cheung
| tbc | |
Birmingham Schools’ Steel Band (North)
Conductor: Stephon Phillip
| Brazil |
Ary Barroso arr. Brent Holder |
| Deputy |
Seadley Joseph arr. Stephon Phillip |
| Go Let It Out |
Noel Gallagher arr. Stephon Phillip |
Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band
Conductor: Saphran Ali
Principal Cornet: Gwilym Thorp
| Prismatic Light |
Alan Fernie |
| Six (From “Six” the Musical) |
Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss arr. Sam Pollard |
| Colours of the Wind |
Alan Menken arr. Gavin Somerset |
| Welcome to the Jungle |
W.Axl Rose, Slash, Stradlin’, McKagan, Adler arr. Paul Murtha |
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Wednesday 15th July 2026
7.00 pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble
Conductor: Tom Reed
| Melodia de Cuba |
Patrick Benham arr. Tom Reed |
| The High Sierra |
Tom Reed |
| Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End |
John Lennon/Paul McCartney arr. Richard Ashby |
| Crazy Train |
Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhoads arr. Tom Reed |
Birmingham Schools’ Recorder Sinfonia
Conductor: Michelle Holloway
| Ave Maria |
Adam Gumpelzhaimer |
| Concerto in D major |
Georg Philipp Telemann |
| Movements from ‘Curious Suite’ |
Alan Davis |
Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia
Conductor: William Cheung
| Sancho’s Dance Mix
i. Many Minuets ii. Air iii. Who’d a thought it: Reeling on Richmond Hill with Marianne |
Ignatius Sancho & Julian Grant |
Birmingham Schools’ Primary Choir
Conductor: Sarah Mapp
Featuring:
Glenmead Primary School
Heathlands Primary School
Ladypool Primary School
Maryvale Catholic Primary School
Penns Primary School
Priestley Smith School
Severne Primary School
St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School
St Laurence Church Junior School
Tiverton Academy
Woodthorpe Junior and Infant School
World’s End Junior School
| Elton John Medley |
Elton John and Bernie Taupin arr. SFE Vocal Team |
INTERVAL
Birmingham Schools’ Massed Ensemble (Accompanied by our Anchor Orchestra)
Conductor: Tom Stoneman
Featuring:
Birches Green Primary School
Cockshut Hill School
Elms Farm Primary School
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Kings Norton Girls’ School
Lordswood Boys’ School
Plantsbrook School
St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School
St Edward’s Catholic Primary School
St Laurence Church Junior School
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School
St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School
Swanshurst School
The Oaks Primary School
The Rosary Catholic Primary School
Waverley School
Westminster Primary School
World’s End Junior School
| Pigstep from Minecraft |
Lena Raine arr. Stephen Cai |
| Grasswalk from Plants vs Zombies |
Laura Shigihara arr. Emily Pedersen |
| Megalovania from Undertale |
Toby Fox arr. Grant Harville |
Birmingham Schools’ Piano and Keyboard Ensemble
Conductor: Andrew Ross and Wayne Duffell
| Star Wars (Main Theme) |
John Williams arr. Phillip Keveren |
| Concerning Hobbits |
Howard Shore arr. Daniel Vanes |
| Chariots of Fire |
Vangelis adapted. Andy Ross |
| Fever Dream |
Alex Warren arr. Wayne Duffell |
Birmingham Schools’ Wind Orchestra
Conductor: Tom Stoneman
| Ride |
Samuel Hazo |
| Over the Hills and Far Away |
Percy Grainger |
| Bohemian Rhapsody |
Freddie Mercury arr. Darrol Barry |
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Thursday 16th July 2026
7.00 pm
Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble
Conductor: Sarah Chatt
| Dream Helix |
Erik Sargent |
| Red Sky |
Alan Keown |
Birmingham Schools’ Jazz Band
Conductor: Alicia Gardener-Trejo
| Birdland |
Josef Zawinul arr. Larry Kerchner |
| Young and Fine |
Josef Zawinul arr. Malcolm Edmonstone |
| Black Market |
Josef Zawinul arr. Alicia Gardener-Trejo |
Birmingham Schools’ Training Brass Band
Conductor: David Taylor
| Soda Pop |
Dominsuk, 24, Ido, Ching, Kush, Vince arr. PriceThe |
| St Clement – The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended |
Scholefield arr. Fernie |
| Mandalorian |
Ludwig Goransson arr. Murtha |
| Samba De Janeiro |
Moreira, Engels, Zenker arr. Waignein |
Birmingham Schools’ Primary Choir
Conductor: Sarah Mapp
Featuring:
Beeches Junior School
Brookfields Primary School
Cherry Orchard Primary School
Chivenor Primary School
Deanery CE Primary School
Harborne Primary School
Lozells Primary
Mayfield School
Nelson Primary School
Heathmount Primary School
St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School
The Meadows Primary School
Victoria School
Warren Farm Primary School
Water Mill Primary School
| Elton John Medley | Elton John and Bernie Taupin arr. SFE Vocal Team |
INTERVAL
Birmingham Schools’ Dhol Ensemble
Leader: Inderjit Singh Bains
| Case |
Diljit Dosanjh arr. Inderjit Singh Bains, Pritpal Singh Rai |
| Morni |
Diljit Dosanjh arr. Inderjit Singh Bains, Pritpal Singh Rai |
Birmingham Schools’ Raga and Tala Ensemble
Leader: Gurdeep Singh-Dharni
| Raga Kirwani – Vilambit Gat
(Melodic of 16 Slow Beats) |
Gurdeep Singh-Dharni |
| Drut Gat – In Teentala
(Raga Kirwani) |
Gurdeep Singh-Dharni |
| Jhala – Fast section of the Drone Strings |
Gurdeep Singh-Dharni |
Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band
Conductor: Saphran Ali
| Fantasmic! |
Bruce Healey arr. Michael Brown |
| Cliffhanger |
Trevor Jones arr. Rieks van der Velde |
| As a River Flows |
Christina Huss & R. Alan Carter |
| Take On Me |
Furuholmen, Harket, Waaktaar arr. Jirka Kadlec |
** Are you a parent/carer of, or a member leaving
our central ensemble system this year? **
If so, why not join our community to get exclusive concert ticket deals, potential fun ways to reconnect and play, and opportunities to support our mission? Plus, we’ll keep you inspired with our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox twice a year. It’s all free.
SFE Ensembles Hoodies & T-shirts FOR SALE
Although we are heading into Summer, we are pleased to say in collaboration with Wave-Ed once again, our Ensembles hoodies and t-shirts are available to order, with at least £7 from every sale being donated to SFE.
Whether your child is a new or returning Ensembles member, or this is their final year with us, these are a great way to recognise being part of something special.
As with most good things, there is a limited time window. The online shop will close for orders on Friday 24th July, 8.00am. Orders will then be printed and delivered to the relevant Ensembles in September for distribution (if your young musician is leaving our Ensembles this year, we can arrange for you to collect your order when we receive it).
T-shirts are available in black or grey, with hoodies also being available in ‘pacific’ (green) and ‘turquoise’ (blue). Please note, the ‘grape’ (purple) option is no longer available. Both are available in a range of sizes, and 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
If you would like to place and order, you can do so here.
Please note, although t-shirts and hoodies may be available to see at the Proms, all orders MUST be place through the link above.
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.
our concerts are supported by:
