National Youth Folk Ensemble Open Day

The National Youth Folk Ensemble has free Open Days in May 2025 – these will be open for booking late January. If you want to find out more please follow the links below.
To register for an Open Day you will need to:
  • be aged 12-18.
  • live in England.
  • be able to play confidently on your chosen instrument.
Open Days are open to players of any instruments but not suitable for vocalists. No prior experience of folk music necessary. All playing and learning will be done by ear – no need to read notation!
They are free to attend, but you need to book in advance. If the cost of travelling would be a barrier to you attending, please contact us as we have travel bursaries available.

Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival 2025

Check out what’s on here!

Sidmouth Methodist Church – Main Church

Returning for the 2025 festival we are pleased to present our education programme. All sessions are FREE, just make sure you book your place to make sure you get in, these events will be popular!

All ages and abilities are welcome to the programme, bring your kids, parents and grandparents – everyone is welcome to join in the groove!

All events are held in the Sidmouth Methodist Church, High Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LE

Saturday 24th May 2025

10:30am – 12:30pm – Even you can play the Blues

Get started with playing the blues and be encouraged whatever level you are and whatever you play! Bring a guitar or harmonica! Drums and keyboards will be available.

2:00pm – 4:00pm – Blues Jam

Lead a Blues Number with the House band  from the Blues in the Pews Team or sit in with a standard – bring your instruments!

Sunday 25th May 2025

10:30am – Blues Church Service

Everyone is welcome!

2.00pm – 4.00pm – Jazz Jam

This open curated Jazz Jam is hosted by Devon Music Hub. It will be supported by a house band of experienced performers to support attendees who wish to participate. This is an inclusive, supportive, and fun model that also ensures a quality experience for all involved. It allows for more experienced participants to shine with a supportive rhythm section and less experienced people to sit in alongside the house band and be guided along.

Monday 26th May 2025

10:30am – 12:30pm – Blues Jam

Another opportunity  to lead a Blues Number with the House band  from the Blues in the Pews Team or sit in with a standard – bring your instruments!

2:00pm – 3:00pm – Acoustic and Electric Blues Guitar Techniques

From Slide to Stevie Ray Vaughan we’ve got you covered – bring your guitar!

3:30pm – 4:30pm – The History of the Blues

Roots and Routes to the Blues, this popular seminar returns for a second year with something new for everyone to learn. From the American Civil War, banjos to Ragtime through 8 bar and twelve bar blues to R&B and Soul. Male and female blues legends and their innovations.

Sidmouth Methodist Church – Rear Hall

Saturday 24th May 2025

10:30am – 12:30pm – Singing for the Slightly Terrified

Do you love to sing but fear doing it in front of others?
Have you always fancied having a go but believe you’re simply not good enough?
This workshop is  for you!
Designed for EVERYONE and ALL abilities, together we will learn some Jazz and Blues Numbers. Led by Jess Cunningham.

2:00pm – 4:00pm – Jazz Workshop

This event is in partnership with Sidmouth Sea Fest and the Sea Spot Grass Roots Music programme. More details to be announced.

Sunday 25th May 2025

2:00pm – 4:00pm – Family Djembe Drumming Workshop

This extremely popular workshop with James from Drum Devon returns for a second year. Rhythmic fun times for the whole family! Bring your kids, their friends, your friends, your grandmother, uncles & aunties, bring everyone for this fun-filled drumming session. No experience necessary.

Monday 26th May 2025

10:30am – 12:30pm – South Devon Youth Jazz Workshop

Join us for a 1.5 hour workshop with a 30 minute sharing concert at the end for everyone to enjoy. Suitable for all instrumentalists Grade 3+ ability.

2:00pm – 3:00pm – Jazz Composition Workshop

Led by Sam Massey from Devon Music Hub.

3:30pm – 4:30pm – Jazz Trumpet Workshop

Devon-based trumpet player Sam Massey will host a workshop for trumpet players of all ages focussed around developing jazz style and improvisation skills.

Remember – all sessions are FREE but please make sure to book your place!

Relaxed Concert with ZRI (Zum Roten Igel)

Our Relaxed Concert will feature a mixture of folk, klezmer and pop. It is designed to suit individuals or groups of all ages who feel more comfortable in a less formal setting. There will be a relaxed attitude to noise and audience members may leave and re-enter during the concert. Click here for our Website and Facebook

The Rhossili Duo ‘The Last Tango’

Gabriella Alberti is a flautist and graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has worked widely in chamber, orchestral and opera ensembles. Cai Charles is a classical guitarist, and former graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music. He returns for a second year to Budleigh Music Festival, following a successful concert as part of the Wales Guitar Duo in 2024. Please see our website for programme details. Facebook link

Side by Side Showcase with Devon Youth Wind Orchestra

Budleigh Music Festival is proud to showcase the results of the Side by Side project with Devon County Wind Orchestra, musicians from the Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth and saxophonist Jess Gillam. Having spent a day together in rehearsal, gaining insights into ensemble playing from seasoned professionals, the next generation of musicians will give an inspiring performance playing alongside musicians of today.

Family Day – A Musical Treasure Hunt

A series of participatory music events at venues around Budleigh Salterton to entrance all ages and encourage families to explore sound together in a musical treasure hunt. Activities include African Drumming, Body Percussion, Handbell Ringing and more. Your ticket allows you to join in with any of the events and plan the day to suit yourself. Click here for our Website and  Facebook

South Dartmoor Music Centre Open Day – featuring Superlocrian

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be collaborating with nationally acclaimed acoustic wind septet Superlocrian and South Dartmoor Music Centre to offer young musicians of all abilities across the region this exciting opportunity to play side by side with some of the finest musicians and educators in the country.

Come and try South Dartmoor Music Centre from 4-5:30pm on Thursday 24th April 2025 at South Dartmoor Community College, Balland Lane, Ashburton, TQ13 7EW with a sharing for parents/carers from 5:15pm. This event is open to 7+ year olds that play any instrument to an approaching Grade 1 level of ability or higher and is being offered free of charge.

Superlocrian is one of the UK’s finest new chamber ensembles. South-West based and fresh from a recent live broadcast on BBC Radio 3, they have just released their debut album to critical acclaim.

Led by Hub Music Development Lead Sam Massey, this seven-piece ensemble contains some of the country’s leading educators, soloists, orchestral players and world-class session musicians.

“This is subtle music, cleverly voiced and perfectly executed” ***, Peter Vacher, Jazzwise Magazine, July-August 2024

“This versatile ensemble stylishly delivers its material with creative musicianship, all arranged with elegance and flair to make this a sophisticated debut“ 3.5 stars, Neil Duggan, All About Jazz, June 2024

South Dartmoor Music Centre is a new music centre for young musicians from all across the South Dartmoor area, and runs each Thursday from 4pm. Open to primary and secondary students alike, with tuition and an orchestra, come along to learn an instrument – from woodwind, strings, brass, guitar, percussion and more, come along to see what music can do for you!
Devon Music Education Hub would like to acknowledge the generous support of South Dartmoor Community College for hosting this event.

If you have a query, please call Devon Music Education Hub on 01392 287235 or email. Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @DevonMusicEdHub

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On Track – Music Industry Day for 16-25s

Calling all young musicians, producers, and aspiring industry professionals (ages 16-25)!

ON TRACK is a brand-new music industry day designed to help you take the next step in your career. Hosted by Music in Devon Initiative (MIDI) in partnership with Devon Music Education Hub, this full-day event brings together industry experts, artists, and organisations to offer insights, advice, and opportunities across live and recorded music.

What’s Happening?

Panel Discussions – Hear from industry professionals on:

  • Live Music – Festivals, venues, promoters, bookers, and merch
  • Recorded Music – Streaming, sync, publishing, royalties, and the rise of AI
  • Wellbeing & Support – Funding, diversity, inclusion, and health in the music industry

Listening Groups – Get expert feedback on your tracks and advice on how to move forward.

Exhibitors & Networking – Meet industry professionals, organisations, and fellow creatives.

Live Showcases – Emerging artists performing throughout the day, leading into an evening gig featuring fresh new talent and a potential headline act!

Whether you’re a musician, producer, songwriter, or want to work behind the scenes, On Track will give you the knowledge, contacts, and confidence to take your music career forward.

Grab your £5 ticket now and get On Track!

Justin James

I am a multi-instrumentalist music teacher, with ABRSM Grade 8 in piano, classical guitar, flute, double bass and classical singing. Before my recent move to the West Country my employer was Hertfordshire Music Services. At HMS I taught in both primary and secondary schools as well as ‘music centres’ around the Hertfordshire area, including ‘one on one’ lessons, small groups, whole class guitar and ukulele and I also ran/conducted a intermediate level string orchestra. Piano and guitar (classical, rock & pop, bass) are my principal instruments, although I have sometimes been called upon to teach flute, double bass, voice, beginner cello and ukulele. I am passionate about educating young students and sharing my love of all genres of music. Nonetheless, by way of private teaching, I have taught many adult learners and find this equally rewarding. I always make lessons fun and tailor them to the individual student/group.

Early Years Music for Speech and Language Development

Join our Strategic Lead for Early Years Music Charlotte Gibbs for an insightful session that delves into how Early Years Music can play a vital role in supporting Speech and Language Development in young children. This engaging and practical CPD opportunity will not only inspire but also provide you with valuable strategies to implement in your practice. Throughout the session, you’ll have the chance to explore various musical activities and techniques that can enhance communication skills in early childhood. Venues in Barnstaple, Cullompton and Plymouth!

Friday 25th April – Newport Community Primary Academy, Landkey Rd, Barnstaple EX32 9BW              Friday 9th May 2025 –  Devon Education Services, U16-17 Blackdown Park, South View Estate, Willand, Cullompton, Devon EX15 2FS
Friday 6th June 2025-  The Soapbox Childrens Theatre, just inside Devonport Park at the corner of Milne Place and Exmouth Rd, Plymouth PL1 4QH