| Dr Elfyn Jones was brought up in a Welsh-speaking family in North Wales. He is a composer, opera maker, sound designer and music educator. He taught at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, led creative music projects for Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and St David’s Hall Cardiff, and was a Core Group Leader for ENO Baylis for ten years before moving to South West England in 2004.
Currently he directs Sonopera®CIC, and is a music consultant for Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs. In this capacity he co-directs Devon Youth Choir. He teaches composition for Junior Trinity’s Distance Learning A level and tutors on the Creative Music Maker course at Trinity Laban, and has a portfolio of freelance engagements as a composer, musician and music educator. His music has been performed in the UK, the USA, Portugal and the Republic of Ireland. Commissions include opera, musical theatre, music for dance, music for orchestra, chamber music and music for a number of plays. His symphony The Journey was premièred by De Havilland Philharmonic in 2011 and featured by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in their Composers’ Day 2013. Opera includes The Nightjar, (Tête à Tête 1999), The Dead of Night (Opera North 2003), Jacko’s Hour (Opera Engine 2009), The Trial of Jean Rhys (Opera Europa 2011 and ROH 2011-2012), and Nine Stories High (WNO 2012), and three operas for his PhD, namely Vicky and Albert (2018), Her face was of flowers (2019) and The Trilobite, Or The Fall Of Mr Williams (2020). Last year he created a musical, BOAT, for Exeter College’s UAL Musical Theatre students, and has been invited back this year to create another, INFLUENCE, to be performed May 2024. Elfyn gained a Natural Sciences degree from Cambridge University in 1989, before changing course for a career in music. He trained at Cardiff University (BMus 1st 1993), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (MMus 1995), and on attachment with London Sinfonietta (1994/5). He gained his PhD Sound design for the opera composer: concepts and methods at Goldsmiths, University of London in 2022. |
Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands 2024
Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs are delighted to be working with R&K Systems and Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) to present this year’s Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands.
Bands and aspiring artists from secondary schools/settings across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay can apply to join us at one of our regional heats, where they will get feedback on their performance from music industry professionals. A selection of bands will be invited to the Battle of the Bands Final at Bomba, Exeter on Thursday 27 June 2024 and could win the chance to professionally record their music and perform at high profile festivals. Find our more about how previous Battle of the Bands events have benefitted participating bands here.
Please note that this form should be completed by a teacher from the school that band members attend on the behalf of the band applying. Ideally, we are looking for one band from each school and the age range is Secondary/Tertiary students. Many schools will host their own Battle of the Bands event and put forward the winner to represent their school at the hub regional heat.
Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs would like acknowledge the generous support of our host schools for supporting these events.
Regional Heats
17 June | Plympton Academy, Plymouth
18 June | Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot
19 June | Cranbrook Education Campus, Cranbrook
20 June | Petroc College, Barnstaple
Final
27 June | Bomba, Exeter
Miles Maguire
Miles was the Co-Principal Trumpet with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for over ten years. He then free-lanced in London for many years playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony and Concert Orchestras, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra as well as regularly playing in West-End shows such as Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins. Miles is a past winner of the prestigious Shell/LSO Music Scholarship Competition and the Guildhall School of Music Brass Competition and Chairsmans Prize. Miles has over fifteen years experience teaching brass, both privately and in schools as a visiting music teacher.
He has also been involved with many music education projects over the years.
Devon Youth Orchestras Spring Concert
Once again the exciting sound of some of Devon’s most accomplished young orchestral musicians will fill Exeter Cathedral. This is a celebration of orchestral music performed by young players from all parts of Devon.
As well as performances by both of the Devon Youth Orchestras the concert will also feature soloists and smaller ensembles from within the orchestras.
The programme is particularly chosen to appeal across a wide age range and includes music from film scores and orchestral classics performed by the Concert Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductors Paul Painter and Mel Orriss.
The Mix 2024 (family and general public bookings)
We are SO excited that The Mix, our music festival for children and young people, is returning in 2024!
Taking place over two days at Bridwell Park, admission on Friday 5 July will be exclusively reserved for school groups, with Saturday 6 July open to families and the general public.
On Saturday, we will be showcasing some of Devon’s finest young musicians as we feature live music performances from many of our County Groups and Hub supported music-making activities, including…
| Main Stage | Live Lounge |
| 11.oo Devon Youth Orchestras | 11.15 Music in Devon Initiative |
| 11.45 Jam Buddies | 12.00 Devon Youth Folk Ensemble |
| 12.30 Exeter Children’s Orchestra | 12.45 Live Music |
| 13.15 Devon Youth Choir | 13.30 Cameron Mills Group |
| 14.00 Teachers Rock | 14.15 Live Music |
| 14.45 Torbay & South Devon Music Centre | 15.00 Cameron Mills Group |
| 15.30 Live Music | 15.45 Open Mic Session |
| 16.15 Devon Youth Folk Ensemble |
We will also have interactive music workshops for children and young people of all ages and abilities taking place, which you can either book on the day or drop-in wherever there is capacity – the workshop schedule is as follows…
Workshops
- 11.00 / 12.00 Samba drumming with Sonopera
- 11.00 / 12.15 / 14.15 Early Years immersive musical play sessions with the Hub and Take Art
- 11.00 / 12.00 / 13.30 /15.15 Taiko drumming with Taiko South West
- 11.30 / 15.30 Street Band with The Sound of the Streets (bring an instrument)
- 12.00 /13.15 Creative music workshops with Devon Youth Orchestras (bring an instrument)
- 12.30 Come and sing with Teachers Rock
- 13.15 Come and play with Devon Youth Folk Ensemble and Wren Music (bring an instrument)
- 13.30 Come and play with Devon Youth Chamber Brass (bring an instrument or have a go)
- 13.30 / 14.15 / 15.00 Music and Storytelling for Younger Children
- 14.30 Come and sing with Devon Youth Choir
- 15.00 Ceilidh with Devon Youth Folk Ensemble and Wren Music
- 15.30 Inclusive musical play sessions for children and young people with additional needs with the Hub and Take Art
- Djembe drumming with Drum Devon – drop-in sessions throughout the day
- DJing and music production with Sound Communities – drop-in sessions throughout the day
FREE parking will be available on site. A variety of refreshments will be available on site from the The Orangery Cafe and The Turning Tides Project food truck, however, please feel free to bring along a summer picnic of your own!
Admission is free of charge but advance booking is recommended – bookings open NOW!
Open rehearsal with the Band of the Coldstream Guards
On Monday 22 April, the world-renowned Band of the Coldstream Guards will take centre stage at the Exeter Corn Exchange for a spectacular performance celebrating St George’s Day in support of the Army Benevolent Fund. Ahead of the concert, local schools are invited to join the Band to listed to an open rehearsal and a talk from the Band Engagement Team about life as Musician in the Corps of Army Music from 1.30-3pm. This event is best suited to secondary schools but upper KS2 pupils are also very welcome to attend. Please note that your details will be shared with the Army Benevolent Fund who are producing this event.
Come & Play with Devon Baroque
Devon Baroque is the only fully professional orchestra in the South West specialising in Baroque and early Classical music played on period instruments and in appropriate style. In this special event, which is particularly aimed at GCSE music students and teachers, Musical Director and harpsichord player, Andrew Wilson-Dickson, and members of Devon Baroque will look at works by Bach and Corelli, exploring the use of period instruments and Baroque playing techniques. This is a practical workshop best suited to string, flute, keyboard and classical guitar players who should bring their instruments along wherever possible.
Programme
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (Edexcel)
Corelli: Concerto Grosso op.6 no.4 (OCR)
Baroque Without Borders | Sunday 18 February 2024
The day before the workshop, Devon Baroque will be performing both pieces in a concert at Dartington Hall, Totnes, along with works by Purcell, Marais and Vivaldi. Student tickets are £5 or one school age student attends free of charge with each paying adult. Please do let your students know about this opportunity. More information.
Please note:
There is no charge for individual young musicians participating in the workshop. While on site, Hub staff will be responsible for supervision and safeguarding on any individual young musicians participating. All Hub staff are DBS checked with appropriate child protection and safeguarding training. Parents/carers are expected to ensure that school policies regarding permission for absence are adhered to.
Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs would like acknowledge the generous support of Torquay Girls Grammar School for hosting this event.
Music Development Leads drop in clinics
Are you responsible for Music at your school? Or perhaps you’re a Visiting Music Teacher? Do you have questions about how the Hub can support you? Want to bounce ideas off colleagues or share your successes?
This is your opportunity to a cuppa and join our Music Development Leads for an informal chat online.
Stay for the whole hour or just 5 minutes – no need to book, just click here to join us on MS Teams at any of the advertised times.
BIG Jazz Day 2024
Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs and Plymouth Music Education Hub are delighted to present this year’s BIG Jazz Day for young musicians on Saturday 9 March at Exeter School, Exeter EX2 4NP with special guests The Tom Green Septet.
Join us from 3.45-5.45pm for a Jazz and Big Band workshop with Tom Green (trombone) and supported by South Devon Youth Jazz, Lipson Cooperative Big Band and Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra – it’s open to any students Grade 2+ who are interested in playing jazz on any instrument.
This will be followed by a celebration jazz concert from 7-9pm, with the massed bands and masterclass participants opening the concert, which parents/carers/supporters are very welcome to attend.
Please note:
There is no charge for young musicians participating in the workshop and/or performance. Admittance to the evening concert for parents/carers/supporters will cost £6/£4 concessions – please book tickets in advance here.
Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs would like acknowledge the generous support of Exeter School for hosting this event.
Baroque Without Borders by Devon Baroque Orchestra
The Devon Baroque Orchestra has announced its upcoming concert at Dartington Hall, Totnes, on Sunday the 18th February at 3pm. They will be playing Bach’s wonderful Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 along with pieces by Purcell, Corelli and Vivaldi.
For GCSE Music students in 2024 the Brandenburg Concerto no 5 (Edexcel board) and Corelli’s Concerto Grosso op.6 no. 4 (OCR Board) will provide a focus and support for music students.
James Hudson the chair of Devon Baroque said “This concert will give the audience insights into the contrasting playing styles from across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries and played on period instruments and of course the beautiful setting of the Great Hall with its history and superb acoustics provide the very best platform for the 15 professional players of “The Devon Baroque Orchestra”
The Orchestra led by Artistic Director Persephone Gibbs and Director Andrew Wilson-Dickson.
The Soloists are renowned Georgia Browne- flute, and Matthew Nisbet- theorbo, (long necked lute).
Programme:
Corelli: Concerto Grosso op.6 no. 4 in D
Purcell: Incidental Music to ‘Abdelazer, or The Moor’s Revenge’
Marais: Suite from ‘Alcyone’: overture, dances and storm music
Vivaldi: ‘La Tempesta di Mare’ op. 10 no. 1 (RV 433)
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D for flute, violin and harpsichord