Plymouth Youth Music Service

NOT TO BE MISSED! Coming up in just a few weeks' time - book now....

Don't Go Extinct!

This event will feature a major new work by renowned, Plymouth‑born composer Bob Chilcott, with words by children’s author Timothy Knapman.

📅 6pm Tuesday 30 June 2026
📍 Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, Eastlake Street, Plymouth PL1 1BA

Don’t Go Extinct! is a joyful celebration of nature, hope, and young voices, commissioned for this year’s Budleigh Music Festival in collaboration with . This will be one of two premiere performances taking place across Devon and will feature over 100 children from local schools performing alongside professional jazz musicians.

Conducted by the composer himself, the performance, presented in partnership with Plymouth Youth Music Service, will include members of The Legacy Choir and visiting young singers from Plymouth, Massachusetts (USA), alongside children from local Plymouth schools including Montpelier Primary School, Widey Court Primary School, and Manadon Vale Primary School.

Tickets are available on a Pay What You Can basis
Contributions help us cover the cost of the performance and support future opportunities for children and young people:

£5 – Standard contribution
£8 – Pay It Forward (helps us create more opportunities like this)
£3 – Reduced rate (for low‑income families)

Please choose the option that feels right for you. Tickets here:

https://www.ticketsource.com/devonmusiceducationhub/dont-go-extinct/e-pdvmkv?fbclid=IwY2xjawSd8LlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBNTnhPUENQM3VqQ1RoVVBQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsrBmdqcz8-kAZeqisntvAq1SZOvLoQP5tHkN0Cjg3tXP8rGIA7rNt9Vpp8F_aem_SI-r3MqqtX7bz15B3_z1Dg

Don't Go Extinct! at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall Tickets are now available for Don't Go Extinct! at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, Devon on Tuesday 30th June 2026. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

Coming up soon for Plymouth City Brass who are holding an open rehearsal ahead of the Bugle Band Contest in Cornwall. See details below.

Please also contact us / Plymouth City Brass if you're interested in joining any of the brass ensembles.

We are so proud of the young musicians who are so committed and immersed in the bands. We also love to see the journey that they take from early experiences of playing in an ensemble, right through to polished performances and competitions.

Huge gratitude as always for the band leaders, volunteers and staff who make all of this happen.

2026 Bugle Band Contest - West of England Bandsmen's Festival The 100th West of England Bandsmen's Festival will take place on Saturday June 20th 2026 at Molinnis Park, Bugle.

Are you a current Year 6 upwards?

Is someone in your family always singing and might want to take it further?

Sign up now to take up on this brilliant opportunity coming up in July - a 'give it a go' rehearsal with the brilliant led by Jess Rowe. Montpelier Primary School, Mon 13th July 4.15-5.30pm

You can sign up using the QR code on the poster below.

Any questions, please email [email protected]

We are so proud and excited to be working in a partnership project with the amazing Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Education team here in Plymouth! World-class musicians from this incredible orchestra have been working in a number of schools, including Cann Bridge School in preparation for a performance later in June (more news to follow!).

The Cann Bridge sessions took place over several days, including learning Makaton signed songs, actions, creating brand new compositions and trying out some beautiful musical instruments. These lovely pictures shared by the school include the learners even trying out a violin from the late 1600's!

We will be sharing information about this collaborative project soon, but for now can report that the workshops have already been hugely impactful and meaningful for all involved. We are beyond grateful to the OAE Education team for bringing these high quality experiences to so many young people in our city.

Brilliant work, Cann Bridge learners - you are all absolute stars!

Many thanks to Devon Music Education Hub Department for Education Arts Council England

Want to help improve opportunities for young people in music?

If you're aged between 8-19, Devon Music Education Hub and Young Sounds UK are asking you for feedback about services.
A few minutes of your time could really make a difference. Details below.

Many thanks in advance - you really could make a difference to young musicians in our region!

Have Your Say! Are you aged 8–19 and living in Devon, Plymouth or Torbay? Devon Music Education Hub and Young Sounds UK want to hear directly from you!

💬 What does music mean to you?
🎧 Do you feel you have the opportunities you need to make, learn or enjoy music?
🚍 Are those opportunities easy for you to access?

Your voice matters. By sharing your thoughts, you can help shape the future of music opportunities for young people across the region—making sure they’re accessible, inclusive, and truly inspiring.

✅ The survey is completely anonymous
✅ It only takes a few minutes
✅ Your feedback will help improve what’s on offer for young people like you

Take part and make a difference—because music should be for everyone:
https://forms.office.com/e/7rzazyzpHr

Great opportunity for young musicians with our friends at Barbican Theatre with Sound Factory. Please share with anyone you think may really benefit from taking their skills further.

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Plymouth Schools!!! Great opportunity coming up in just a few weeks. Please sign up as soon as you can!

Are you ready to transform your music lessons?

Charanga are thrilled to invite you and two colleagues to an upcoming free CPD session focused on Charanga's Music Creative Scheme. Whether you're looking to refresh your curriculum or find new ways to engage your students, this training is designed to provide you with the tools and confidence to lead high-quality, creative music-making.

Event Title: Introduction to Charanga's New Creative Music Scheme
Venue: Stuart Road Primary Academy, Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth, PL1 5LL
Date & Time: Tuesday 16th June, 16:00-17:30 BST
Please register here: https://www.musiceducationhub.org/training_events/5745

What will it cover?

This session isn't just about following a lesson plan—it's about sparking musicality. We will dive deep into:

The Full Journey: Explore the progressive pathway from Nursery through to Year 6, ensuring a consistent and exciting musical experience for every age group.

Creativity at the Core: Making "doing" music the centre of your lessons. We’ll explore how to nurture your pupils' natural musical instincts.

Composition & Improvisation: Learn practical methods to help students compose their own pieces using a variety of digital and acoustic resources.

Diverse Methods: From body percussion and vocal work to utilising the ability to give your pupils logins and use YuStudio to gain real-life music technology skills, we’ll demonstrate how to mix and match resources to suit your classroom.

Why Attend?

The Creative Scheme is designed to be accessible for all teachers, regardless of prior musical experience. By the end of this session, you will have a toolkit of fresh ideas to make your music lessons the most exciting part of your school week.

"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand." – Let's help our students find their voice in that world.

Find out how to make the most of your free Charanga licence at this fabulous workshop and register here.

Any questions, please email [email protected]

Many thanks Devon Music Education Hub

www.musiceducationhub.org

Fully inclusive choir opportunity!

Do you know anyone who would like to join Plymouth Special Voices? Open to any child with an EHCP (Age 6-19). Details below and more info upon enquiry.

This wonderfully welcoming group meet every Tuesday 4.45-5.30pm during school term time. Sessions are now available online for those who wish to attend virtually.

For more details and to sign up, please contact: Stuart Penman, our PYMS SEND Music Consultant via email:
stuart.penman@ plymouthyouthmusic.com

Many thanks for an amazing, invigorating, thought-provoking and enlightening conference last Friday, Devon Music Education Hub at the beautiful Buckfast Abbey conference centre!

Many of our PYMS team attended and contributed to the conference. We thoroughly enjoyed immersing ourselves in all that was on offer - being around our fellow tutors, subject leads, school teachers, educators, researchers and wonderfully vibrant community of people making a difference in the lives of young people through music. We were particularly struck by powerful words and messaging from keynote speaker, Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason.

Plenty of practical music was made on the day, from harmony singing to samba, body percussion, improvisation and tech demonstrations and so much more in between.

Many thanks to everyone who put in all the hard work to bring this event together - it really mattered to all of us.