Sophie Rosa recital tour and Concert Coach
This community-focused project brought relaxed recitals with violinist Sophie Rosa to schools and community centres across the Cultural Corridor area of Bolsover District.
Delivered in partnership with Sinfonia Viva and Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (TRCH), the project connected local audiences with high-quality orchestral music in familiar settings, before culminating in a Concert Coach trip to the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, where residents heard Sophie perform as Sinfonia Viva’s principal soloist with the orchestra.
What we did
In January 2026, we returned to Bolsover to deliver a short tour of relaxed recitals. The project took place across two community centres, Glapwell Centre and New Houghton Community Hub, and two primary schools: Duckmanton Primary School and Bramley Vale Primary School.
The project built onVoices of Bolsover and grew from the enthusiasm for high-quality orchestral music shown by local partners and residents of all ages. This next stage explored a smaller, flexible model of engagement, bringing a professional musician into local community settings. The core repertoire remained consistent across the recitals, while Sophie adapted the pace, conversation and interaction in response to each audience. In schools, pupils responded directly to Sophie’s performance, and in community settings audiences were encouraged to share memories, reflections and personal responses to the music.
At Bramley Vale Primary School around 120 pupils shared short musical pieces they had developed in advance, creating a joyful exchange with Sophie Rosa. The session combined performance, knowledge exchange, and a Q&A. It was great to see that pupils were really curious to find out more about pursuing a career in music. At Duckmanton Primary School, pupils were particularly interested in how the violin works and in the different techniques Sophie used. In the community centres, adult audiences shared that listening to classical music lifted their mood and connected them with their childhoods.
This reinforced to us the fundamental contribution of live music to wellbeing, its important role as a social connector, and the magic it brings at any age when music enables people to connect and bond with one another.
The last element of the project was the Concert Coach: enabling the participants, their friends and families from Bolsover to travel together to Nottingham and experience Sinfonia Viva’s Argentinian tango-inspired concert at the Royal Concert Hall on 22 February 2026. This created a clear pathway from experiencing professional music in familiar local settings to attending a major orchestral concert venue, helping to build momentum, confidence and curiosity.
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“When she plays the songs, it was very nice to listen to and it made me happy.”
Young audience member - Recital tour in Bolsover
What we wanted to achieve
The project aimed to build on the relationships developed through Voices of Bolsover and test different models of engagement with orchestral music. It created opportunities for children and adults to actively respond to what they heard, encouraging curiosity about instruments, musicianship and careers in music. Through a flexible approach, the project sought to make professional musicianship more accessible to local communities, strengthen partnerships, and create a pathway towards further participation in orchestral experiences beyond the local setting.
“What a lovely way to spend together a Sunday afternoon, I am so glad I booked it. At the beginning I was a bit sceptical of being here by myself - instead I found so many nice people with who to enjoy the music with!”
Concert Coach attendee
What we learned
One key learning point was the positive impact that music can have when it’s adapted for different contexts. Sophie’s versatility in moulding her repertoire, pacing and interaction with different audiences was central to the success of the project. We saw that the same musical material could generate very different conversations and responses depending on the context.
The project also showed us the value of smaller, more flexible music events as an alternative to traditional concert formats. Bringing a professional musician into familiar community spaces created a more intimate experience and helped reduce the distance between artist and audience. Communities shaped the experience, while musicians gained insight, connection and inspiration from the people they met. The proximity of the performer made these encounters feel personal, accessible and human.
“The music moved me greatly. Somewhere over the rainbow was one of my grandad’s favourite songs so It brought beautiful memories back. “
Adult audience member - Recital tour in Bolsover
Outcomes
The project strengthened local engagement with orchestral music and demonstrated the potential of flexible, community-based performance to reach audiences who may not routinely attend formal concert settings.
Children developed greater curiosity about instruments, musical techniques and careers in music, with pupils at Bramley Vale actively sharing their own music with a professional musician. Adult participants connected the music with personal memories and experiences, highlighting the role of live music in supporting social connection and wellbeing.
By linking relaxed local recitals with a shared journey to a major concert venue, the project helped make orchestral music feel more accessible, welcoming and connected to everyday community life in Bolsover.
Partners, performers and venues
Community Partners: Glapwell Centre, New Houghton Community Hub, Duckmanton Primary School, Bramley Vale Primary School
Creative Partners & Musicians: Sinfonia Viva and Sophie Rosa, violinist.
Additional Partners: TRCH, Nottingham
Venues: Glapwell Centre, New Houghton Community Hub, Duckmanton Primary School, Bramley Vale Primary School and the Royal Concert Hall (TRCH), Nottingham
