School’s back, and so is music-making!

As the leaves become crisp underfoot, we’re preparing to make music with children and young people across the South West, with events taking place in schools and community spaces throughout the coming year.

Making, listening to, and engaging with music is shown to improve children’s health, wellbeing and wider educational attainment, as well as develop cultural knowledge and creative skills.

Our work with children and young people supports the school curriculum, with focussed programmes taking place throughout the year. In 2025/26, the BSO created 31,855 participations for children and young people, with 200 events in 62 locations.

On that note, here’s some of the music we’ll be making in partnership with you this year…

For Primary-aged children

Explore the Orchestra concerts in Exeter [22 Jan] Portsmouth [25 Feb], Bristol [29 April] and Poole [18 & 19 May] resume in the New Year – booking open from autumn

BSO Participate Senior Programme Manager, Jess Kirby, said, “For many children, Explore the Orchestra is their first experience of a live symphony orchestra. We carefully curate the programme so it introduces young ears to a variety of sound worlds and genres of music, hoping to spark an interest and open their eyes to the power of music through a creative and interactive cultural experience.”

Explore the Orchestra concert in Poole (c) Corin Messer

For secondary-aged children

Key Stage 4 Concerts from autumn

BSO Associate Musician, Patrick Bailey, said,“The BSO’s KS4 concerts tour to ten Music Hubs across the South West. In each concert we analyse and perform set works from the GCSE syllabus including playing live music to film. We also perform a brand new piece in each concert, based on ideas sent in by the students – exploring different composition techniques that they might use in their own course work.

These concerts allow students to hear and see live professional music in their area, get to know and understand their set works better and leave with ideas about how to be more confident, imaginative composers.”

Concerts will take place this year in Eastleigh [13 Oct], Yeovil [14 Oct], Cornwall [15 Oct], Exeter [16 Oct], Poole [9 Nov], Winchester [10 Nov], Gloucester [11 Nov], Swindon [12 Nov], Southampton [13 Nov] and Bristol [4 Feb]. Booking is possible via local music hubs.

Come and Play morning in Exeter in October

On Friday 16 October there will be a ‘Come and Play’ morning at St Peter’s School, Exeter, where Key Stage 4 pupils can experience playing alongside professional musicians.

Open Rehearsal for Key Stage 3 students in Bournemouth, in April

We’re inviting Key Stage 3 students to hear the BSO rehearse in an Open Rehearsal for our Classic FM Hall of Fame concert.

The rehearsal takes place on 15 April 2027 at Citygate Church, Bournemouth, and will feature conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh and pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. There’ll be music from classical greats, such as Bernstein, Gershwin and more. The event is bookable here.

Musicians play for GCSE students in Swindon (c) BSO

Beyond the classroom: for aspiring performers

Symphony from Scratch [30-31 January]

Our CEO, Dougie Scarfe, said, “Symphony from Scratch is a uniquely inclusive weekend of side-by-side music-making. Members of National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) unite with professional musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and BSO Resound, alongside local amateur players. Together, the musicians create symphonic music, culminating in an informal performance to family and friends.”

This event is open to all ages. For more information and to book, click here.

National Open Youth Orchestra [NOYO], ongoing

Part of the wider NOYO programme, Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble is an ambitious disabled-led youth ensemble which brings together talented young disabled and non-disabled musicians.

BSO Associate Musician, Sam Mason, said, “The great thing about a NOYO rehearsal is that it is fully accessible for all musicians, from the rehearsal set ups, the instrumentation, through to the musical scores. We can adapt for our players specific needs, so it’s a welcoming and fun space to grow your musical skills.”

If you’re interested in joining keep an eye out on our website for details of the next open rehearsal.

Bristol Q&A with Boris Giltburg, in November

Talented young musicians in the South West will have the opportunity to meet pianist Boris Giltburg, our Artist–in–Residence for the 2026/27 season.

The Question & Answer session will take place as part of an afternoon workshop with BSO Associate Musician Dr Jonathan James, on Thursday 5 November. Bookings are made via the Bristol Beacon Music Education Hub.

Musicians at a Symphony from Scratch event (c) BSO

Kids for a Quid, ongoing

If you’re a parent wanting to introduce your child to more music, don’t forget that we sell Kids for a Quid tickets to many of our ‘main season’ concerts. So, if you book an adult ticket, your child can attend the concert too for just £1! **

Spread the word (or should we say sing it to the hilltops!) We’ve got so much music to share with children and young people this year, and we’d love for you to be involved. For full details of all BSO Participate work click here. To read the full press release click here.

** This offer is not available for most BSO Pops concerts, for which either a 50% discount or different reduced rate applies.

This vibrant programme is generously supported by: