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.

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!

Celena Sandilands

I received my training at The Royal Academy of Music, achieving a BMus Hons degree as well as my LRAM, and later trained with English National Opera. Since graduating, I have continued to teach singing as well as pursuing a career as a professional singer, highlights of which have been performing with English National Opera for their Opera Squad, and working with companies such as West Green House Opera, Iford Arts and Opera Della Luna. Throughout my singing career I have remained dedicated to my teaching which I absolutely adore! I am currently working as a singing teacher at Queen’s College London and until this summer, their preparatory school, QCPS. I have been teaching at Queen’s College since 2005 and the Prep School since 2009 and have found both preparatory and secondary levels equally enjoyable and rewarding. I teach both the classical and musical theatre ABRSM syllabuses and also Trinity Rock and Pop. All my students are taught a solid classical technique which results in a safe and healthy sound production that in turn enables them to approach a wide variety of musical repertoire. A number of my students have gone on to study at conservatories, have been awarded choral scholarships in Oxbridge chapel choirs, or have continued to be members of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain whilst studying. As a teacher the most important thing for me is that my pupils love their lessons as I find they tend to progress far more quickly working on the repertoire they love, which enables these young singers to more easily reach their potential!

Ged Camille

I have led singing groups since 2005 and facilitated drum circles since 2015. I have delivered Mindful Drum Circles since 2019 Drum Circles foster creativity, confidence in music making and cooperation, as well as the more obvious percussion, rhythm and vocal skills Mindful Drum Circles do all of the above but in a framework of mindfulness which helps cultivate calm, presence and a healthy nervous system. I am a qualified Village Drum Circles facilitator, Yoga & Meditation teacher, musician of over 30 years experience and Sound Healer. I play guitar and sing as a soloist and with various bands. I have a special interest in South and Central American music having lived there for 5 years. I am passionate about music as a means of nurturing our mental health and building community.

‘A New Creation’ with Exeter Festival Chorus and Devon Music Education Hub

Summer Concert: A New Creation

Saturday 12 July 2025 at 7.00pm in Exeter Cathedral.
*Please note this is an early start time.*

With Haydn’s The Creation and associated music by John Rutter, Ēriks Ešenvalds, John Ireland and more, devised by Andrea Brown.

In collaboration with Devon Music Education Hub A New Creation is an exciting opportunity for local school children to engage in music making with top professional musicians and Exeter Festival Chorus, one of the foremost choirs of the southwest region.

A programme that reminds us of the wonders of Nature and our collective environmental role within it.

Featuring:

Devon Youth Chamber Orchestra playing side by side with professional instrumentalists, providing them with a unique development and performance opportunity.

Devon Youth Choir and 200 local primary school children singing alongside the chorus as well as performing their own pieces themed on the natural world.

A specially commissioned fanfare will open the evening! More information

Penelope Appleyard-soprano
Michael Graham-tenor
Niall Anderson-bass
Conductor Andrea Brown

The venue has full disabled access with dedicated wheelchair spaces. Accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket.

Running time approximately 1 hour 50 minutes plus a 20 minute interval. Interval refreshments are available.

Retiring collection for Eden Project, Cornwall.

Enquiries to: concertmanager@exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk

To buy tickets, please click the Buy Tickets Online icon at the top of this page.
Adults £15-£30
Half price for Universal Credit, students and children under 18 years.

10% discount if you buy ten or more tickets.
Discounts will be applied automatically to online checkout.

Tickets may also be booked by phone through TicketSource: 0333 666 3366.
Lines are open 9am-7pm weekdays (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-5pm Saturdays. Calls are charged at national rate and are included in free minutes.

Music Tech CPD

Daisi is offering a series of 4 FREE online CPD sessions (as part of  a Youth Music Funded project Shifting Sounds) to support primary teaching and support staff in the use of the new Charanga resources using their YuStudio software.

The first round of teacher-to-teacher music tech CPD offered last year 2024, was highly successful and places are limited for this next series, so you will need to register your interest quickly.

Completely free and fully backed by the Devon Music Education Hub. The sessions are led by the highly experienced and skilled primary music lead Joanna Parsons from Ilfracombe Primary school.

A unique opportunity for specialist and non-specialist teachers and support staff interested in gaining skills and confidence to implement music tech with their young people. Creating fully accessible sessions that break down barriers for children and staff, who don’t see themselves as musical.

Time to learn, have a go, reflect, question and build in confidence, with the support from a primary teacher who knows all the tips, tricks and approaches that make this an invaluable skill, not just for music, but across the whole curriculum.

Contact Daisi to register your interest   admin@daisi.org.uk

Music For Youth Local Event

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be working with Music For Youth to deliver a Local Event featuring group music-making activities (2 or more participants) from across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Our Local Event will take place at Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot on Sunday 30 March  with sessions running from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. We will showcase performances from selected group music-making activities, including schools, Hub-supported partner organisations and County Groups. Performances can span every level of experience and/or ability and across every genre of music and ensemble type. We’re asking each group to perform for up to 15mins to their peers and an audience of parents/carers.

This event will form part of the Music for Youth Regional Festival, a collection of festivals across the UK aimed to inspire musicians at every level of experience and across every genre of music. This collection of regional festivals forms the UK’s largest festival for young musicians. 30,000 musicians take part every year and many go on to perform again at the Music for Youth National Festival and Music for Youth Proms. Regional festivals provide opportunities for young musicians aged 21 or under, in a group of two or more.

The event will be attended by a Music For Youth mentor – a leading music educator and performer – who will offer feedback to each group that performs, with the possibility that a lucky few will be invited to perform at the National Festival of Music For Youth later in the year.

Please consider the following before applying for this performance opportunity:

  • Please think about your travel arrangements such as bookings, staff allocation, and the likelihood of being back at school later on the day of the performance.
  • All performers must be aged 21 or under.
  • Your performance must be no longer than 15mins in duration.
  • Any style of music; type of ensemble; and level of ability/experience is acceptable.

The following equipment will be provided – you must bring anything else you need with you on the day:

  • Stage piano/keyboard, stand and stool
  • Guitar amp
  • Drum kit
  • Full PA system, including microphones
  • Chairs
  • Music stands

Devon Music Education Hub would like acknowledge the generous support of our host school, Coombeshead Academy, for supporting this event.

Battle of the Bands 2025 – The Final

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be working with R&K Systems and Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) to present the Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands 2025.

Following a series of regional heats, the best young bands from secondary schools across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay compete to win the opportunity to professionally record their music and perform at major regional festivals…

  • The Revival The King’s School
  • Bloodhound Ivybridge Community College
  • Mrs Anthrop Plympton Academy
  • Burnt Daylight Queen Elizabeth’s School
  • Sekrement Churston Ferrers Grammar School
  • The Brokers Torquay Boys’ Grammar School
  • Project Groove The Ilfracombe Academy
  • Capacity 16 West Buckland School

Join us at Exeter Phoenix for a thrilling evening of music from these exciting young bands. Delivered in partnership with Music in Devon Initiative (MIDI) and R&K Systems.

Lead Schools for Music Applications Now Open

In accordance with the recommendations of the National Plan for Music Education (NPME) and Arts Council England/DfE guidance, all Music Education Hubs must appoint Lead Schools for Music from April 2025. Lead Schools will advocate for and promote music education, fostering and strengthening relationships and networks among local schools on behalf of the Hub. Their role is to complement, not replace, the role of the Hub. This document sets out the eligibility criteria and application process for Lead Schools across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Devon Music Education Hub aims to appoint up to ten primary and ten secondary Lead Schools, one from each of the ten districts/unitary authorities that make up the Hub area i.e. East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Plymouth, South Hams, Torridge, Teignbridge, Torbay and West Devon. A representative mix of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Further Education (FE), Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision settings will also be selected across the entire Hub area. These schools/settings will champion music education in their areas, in line with the aims and objectives of the National Plan for Music Education and Arts Council England/DfE guidance.

Please ensure that you have read the following documents and have the support senior leadership at your school or setting before making an application:

Applications must be received no later than 9am Monday 24 March 2025. For an informal conversation about becoming a lead school for music please contact Debbie Kent, Deputy Head/Hub Lead and Strategic Lead for Schools email debbie.kent@devon.gov.uk