Space Scratch Symphony

This creative engagement project blends turntablism, vocal experimentation, and orchestral music, offering students the rare opportunity to create original soundscapes and perform alongside musicians from Opera North Orchestra. Led by turntablist Bradley Smith and guest vocal specialists, the workshops will explore musical storytelling in new ways to explore different sound worlds.

The project is delivered in partnership with Professor Elizabeth Kelly (University of Nottingham) and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Music Hub.

Cumbria Calling

This year's Cumbria Calling offered young musicians the opportunity to take part in an orchestral skills coaching day in Penrith with a team from Royal Northern Sinfonia and Cumbrian conductor Joe Davis.

In such a geographically dispersed area, it can prove challenging for young people to get together regularly for ensemble music making. With members of both Cumbria and Westmorland Youth Orchestras and RNS, this was an opportunity for young people to play in a much larger orchestra than their regular ensemble and really experience that big orchestral sound.

We chose to explore Laura Shigihara’s Grasswalk from Plants vs. Zombies, following on from the gaming music theme of last year’s project. The excellent arrangements from BBC Ten Pieces enabled a wide range of parts for our diverse orchestral line up so all instruments could be included. Musically, it is always fascinating to see the journey young people go on throughout a day of working side by side with professional orchestral musicians. The ensemble sound grew and developed significantly over the day.

Detailed work and discussion in sectionals enabled young people to really focus on their ensemble playing as a section and have a chance to get to know the RNS musicians individually. There were conversations throughout the day on musicianship, technique, the working life in a professional orchestra, as well as individuals’ journeys into the profession.

The day concluded with a sharing performance to a packed audience of families that filled the hall. It was fantastic to see the young people’s progression to an assured performance to finish the day on a high.

Wisbech Creates

From the outset, they were at the centre of the creative process, making decisions and building their confidence through music.

Their original composition was performed alongside a 13-piece Britten Sinfonia orchestra. The performance included music selected by the students, reflecting the sound world that inspires and resonates with them.

More than just a concert, the event marked a bold step in how orchestral music can be reimagined with and for young people, giving them a platform to be heard and celebrated within their community.

The project was delivered in partnership with Britten Sinfonia, Cambridgeshire Music, and 20 Twenty Productions.