Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust - NMPAT

Do you know a future string star? 🎻🎶

Our Little Strings sessions are perfect for children aged 5 to 7 who would like to learn the violin in a fun group setting.

They take place on Wednesdays during term time from 4.15pm to 5.00pm at our Kettering Road location (NN1 4AZ).

🌟 Sessions cost £22.80 per month, including the free loan of an instrument.

Find out more and sign up: www.nmpat.co.uk/speedadmin-groups

This year's theme for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is ! In association with we have a display case about NMPAT touring local libraries to spread the word about the power of music 🎶💜

The display is currently at Weston Favell Library, and will continue on to Daventry, Brackley and Towcester. Why not visit and take a look while it's in your area?

📍Daventry - 17th August to 14th September
📍Brackley - 14th September to 5th October
📍Towcester - 5th October to 2nd November

County Ensemble audition results are on their way to you!
📧 Further information and welcome details will follow via email over the next week as we prepare for an exciting year ahead.
We can’t wait to meet our 2026–27 cohort this September and begin another brilliant year of music‑making 🤩🎶

Our County Youth Choir members had a wonderful time at the Gabrieli Summer Residential! 🌟

Our final concert was at KD-Krakov in Prague. A large and appreciative audience enjoyed music by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Smetana and a full rendition of John Williams' Star Wars Suite with foyer music provided by Aurelia Quartet.

You can watch the concert here

https://youtu.be/spaqU8KuPzY?feature=shared

It was an energetic and enjoyable conclusion to our tour, with a number of standout moments and solo contibutions. For a number of our students, this concert marked the end of their NMPAT journey, before they head off to pastures new in September. Once we'd packed up and loaded the equipment van, the entire group gathered for a delicious meal at Pizzeria Bonaccia Bohnice where speeches and thanks were given. We also presented a gift to our courier for the week, Marketa, who had worked tirelessly to ensure that we were where we needed to be when we needed be there as well as ensuring that everyone was amply fed and watered - no mean feat!

It was, at times, an emotional evening. To those leaving us this summer, "don't be sad that it's over, be grateful that it happened."

📷 Jon Spinner, NMPAT

We followed in the foosteps of history on Monday night, performing at Poštovní dvůr Karlovy Vary. This wonderful, flexible space allowed us to showcase Sinfonia as well as the full orchestra. Music from Tirana Quartet kept the arriving crowd entertained before a piece of Northampton was brought to Czechia in the shape of Malcolm Arnold's Festival Fanfare, performed by the brass and percussion sections.

Music by Vaughan Williams, Sibelius and Grieg made for a varied and rich programme, but the highlight of the concert was undoubtedly hearing the orchestra peform the finale to Dvořák's Ninth Symphony, his famous "New World" symphony. 132 years to the day since this music was first heard by an audience in the composer's native Bohemia, this music was played once more in the same venue. A remarkable historical quirk, but nonetheless an amazing opportunity for CYO to write their own page in the history books. Needless to say, they rose to the occasion and gave a performance that Dvořák himself would, we are sure, have loved.

You can watch the concert here

https://youtu.be/VcKBgYhPhQU?feature=shared

📷 Jon Spinner, NMPAT

NMPAT took to the silver screen yesterday evening with a concert at Kino Horšovský Týn. Music from Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Dvořák and Bizet made for an eclectic and diverse programme before - appropriately enough, given the setting - three movements from Star Wars brought the concert to a conclusion. Ever the showman, our very own Richard Smith crossed over to the dark side, and launched into John Williams' Imperial March with the aid of a rather fetching red lightsaber. The force was strong!

A grateful audience then also enjoyed a lively encore in the form of Strauss' Thunder and Lightning Polka before we headed back to our hotel for a late dinner and the opportunity to watch half of a football match played between two other countries... ah well, roll on 2030!

Here are a few photos from before and during our concert for you to enjoy

Concert available to view here

https://youtu.be/O4F3J3xxkFA?feature=shared

📷 Jon Spinner, NMPAT

Last night, we gave the first of four concerts as part of our tour of Czechia at the beautiful art deco Božena Němcová Theatre (Divadlo Boženy Němcové) in Františkovy Lázně.

Featuring both CYO and Sinfonia, with Iris Quartet providing music for the audience on arrival, it was a wonderful evening. Music by Bach, Copland, Elgar, Rossini, Smetana, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky made for a brilliantly eclectic programme, whilst soloists Naomi (violin) and Hannah (oboe) were also featured, and played exceptionally well.

Our young musicians have certainly set the bar high for a wonderful week of concerts! Later today, we perform in Horšovský Týn before concerts in Karlovy Vary on Monday and Prague on Tuesday.

📷Jon Spinner, NMPAT.
🎥 https://youtu.be/aAflisUBixE?feature=shared

Our Second Generation concert took place on Sunday 5th July, celebrating the progress and talent of our training ensembles 🎶

We were gifted with performances from County Training Wind Orchestra, Guitarlactica and Tarrega Guitar Ensemble, County Training Brass Band, Jazz 2, County Chamber Strings and County Training Orchestra.

Thanks to the Cosmos Quartet who provided pre concert foyer music

A brilliant evening showcasing just how far these young musicians have come. Well done to everyone who took part, and thank you to the staff, parents and supporters 💜

On Sunday 5th July, our New Generation concert shone a spotlight on the incredible talent of our junior ensembles. The afternoon featured performances from County Junior Orchestra, County Junior Strings, Jazz 3, County Junior Brass Ensemble and County Junior Wind Orchestra. Plus, Aurelia Quartet played wonderfully in the foyer.

Congratulations to every performer, and huge thanks to the staff, supporters, parents, and friends who made it possible 💫