2023 in Review

We’ve had our busiest year yet at The Song School. Here’s the story of 2023 …

Showcases

Thanks to our venue partner 21, we now have a regular programme of showcases, plus in the summer we added ‘Drop the Mic!’ a monthly open mic for children and young people to develop their performance skills on a more regular basis. All of these events play a key role in student development, not only for the music performance skills they are developing, but also to improve confidence and self-esteem.

Seniors

Thanks to our partnership with the Council’s music hub for Schools - Music-on-sea - we took our seniors back to play at ‘Southend Makes Music’, at The Palace Theatre; a 600 seater venue and therefore a huge platform for our young musicians.

They went on to host a stage at this years Leigh Folk Festival; then they put on their own gig - Soak up the Sounds, in the summer. We’ve seen this group go from strength to strength, not only via these events but equally out in the community forging ahead with their artistry, networking and forming bands.

Hands Together

The largest project of the year, spanning the summer holidays and October half-term. We brought together around 30 children and young people to create a new original song and accompanying music video; released in November. Click here to watch ‘Unity’

Amplifying young voices

Our approach of encouraging positive support amongst our community of young people and giving all a voice, continued via our student mentor programme.

Finn and Joe have continued to mentor in our guitar classes. Flo has moved from a mentor, onto the staff as a trainee vocal coach. She will be joined in classes from January by a new student mentor for vocals.

As we look forward to 2024 we go into the year with a stronger foundation than ever as we further build consistency post lockdown, understand more about our impact outside of music and the new and developing challenges of our young people, plus come up with more innovative approaches to making music!

And we already have cause for celebration as our founder, Louisa has been nominated and now shortlisted for an Essex Small Business Award in the Business Owner category, with the awards ceremony in the Spring, so watch this space!

Happy New Year!

If you’re interested in what we do and want to get involved, click below to find out about fundraising, volunteering and other ways you can support The Song School: