Music Learning and Participation Programme

Spitalfields Music was the first festival in the UK to develop a year-round learning programme, and is known for providing wider access to music in schools and educational settings, in addition to providing necessary training for emerging artists. For nearly 50 years, the festival has worked with local organisations in Tower Hamlets and beyond, involving schools in Big Sing projects, working with artists from the Royal Academy of Music, and offering a free, open-access choir for young people aged 11 to 25 with NewYVC.

The programme in 2025/26 is diverse: Spitalfields Music is realising three singing projects for local schools, two for children aged 4 to 11 and one for teenagers aged 11 to 18. The schools are selected through an open application process. Spitalfields Music is working with the local music education hub to target schools that would benefit most from the support. Each school receives three workshop visits, after which over 250 young singers come together for a final rehearsal and a public performance. The sung music is a diverse mix and ranges from traditional folk music from the UK or one of the 154 other countries represented in the local schools to commissioned works by emerging composers.

Furthermore, weekly rehearsals of the NewYVC choir take place, supported by alumni up to the age of 25. The alumni are trained by the music director Nav Arles and are given the opportunity to lead warm-ups, choose repertoire and conduct public performances. Since 2024, NewYVC has partnered with Spotlight Youth Centre, a purpose-built community space in East London, where they perform quarterly in addition to their performances at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre and as part of the Spitalfields Music Festival. Sarah Sayeed is commissioned to write a new work that includes musical styles from different cultures and reflects the group’s membership.

Spitalfields Music is also launching the Youth Trainee Music Leaders programme, aimed at 16–19-year-olds who are interested in leading workshops in community settings. The focus is on sixth form colleges, to build the confidence and communication skills of older students, as well as developing their musical prowess.

Spitalfields Music is working with students to develop musical walks through the region, which will be offered to the public as part of the 2026 festival. In collaboration with a social geographer, guides will be invited to curate routes and accompanying music to show off the local area, a project designed to break down intergenerational and racism barriers.

Together with students from the Royal Academy of Music, workshops are held with primary school pupils and musical projects brought to the Royal London Hospital. This is part of a major research project in collaboration with QMUL and Barts Health NHS Trust that examines the effects of group singing on mental health. Finally, the Trainee Music Leaders will work in local primary schools to co-create music workshops around themes suggested by the young people.

Spitalfields Music’s Music Learning and Participation Programme is supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

Dates

December 8, 2025
Tower Hamlets Town Hall, London

December 15, 2025
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

February 15, 2026
Spotlight Youth Centre, London

March 16, 2026
Swanlea School, London

June 29 & 30, 2026
Royal Academy of Music

July 2 & 3, 2026
East London Walking Tour

July 7, 2026
Various locations, London