• Older pupils studying GCSEs and BTECs to hear music come alive in Bristol, Eastleigh, Exeter, Gloucester, Newquay, Poole, Southampton, Swindon, Winchester and Yeovil.

 

  • Aspiring performers benefit: inclusive music-making weekend Symphony from Scratch returns to Dorset, and a Come and Play day in Devon – plus, the opportunity to meet pianists Boris Giltburg and Isata Kanneh-Mason ahead of their BSO concerts.

 

Young people are being encouraged to stretch their imagination, as a host of events to support learning – both in the classroom and beyond – return to the South West from this month.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) created 31,855 participations for children and young people last year, with 200 events in 62 locations across the region. Its popular events – for school groups and aspiring performers – return for the new academic year to support communities throughout the region.

 

Schools and Music Education                                                                                                                 

A series of 90-minute Key Stage 4 Concerts – designed to help older pupils studying for GCSE and BTEC qualifications – returns this month. Pupils will hear familiar works come to life at an assembly hall or community hall near them: Eastleigh [13 Oct]; Yeovil [14 Oct]; Newquay [15 Oct]; Exeter [16 Oct]; Poole [9 Nov]; Winchester [10 Nov]; Gloucester [11 Nov]; Swindon [12 Nov]; Southampton [13 Nov]; Bristol [4 Feb]. Events are bookable via local Music Education Hubs.

A brand-new experience comes to Bournemouth, in spring. An Open Rehearsal for Key Stage 3 pupils (11-14) displays the Orchestra in full flight as it prepares for its Classic FM ‘Hall of Fame’ performances with pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh.  A limited number of seats are available for the event [Bournemouth – 15 April]. The programme features some of the greatest works of popular classical music, including, Bernstein, Gershwin, and Piazzolla. Teachers can book spaces via the BSO’s website.

 

Explore the Orchestra – the BSO’s FREE series for Key Stage 2 (primary-aged) pupils – returns, this year inspired by the human voice. The full-scale symphonic concerts are presented by award-winning composer James Redwood and mezzo-soprano Fizz Buckland. Explore the Orchestra: Sing Out! delves into how vocalists and orchestras work together to tell stories in opera, theatre and the contemporary world. It introduces the orchestral families in an accessible way and showcases music from a variety of genres, as the audience learns to sing and perform together. The series is supported with CPD training and resource packs for classroom teachers, helping them to prepare pupils ahead of the event.

 

The full-symphonic concerts take place at University of Exeter [22 Jan], Portsmouth Guildhall [25 Feb], and Bristol Beacon [29 April] and feature two participatory songs – featuring Makaton signing and body percussion – composed especially for these concerts with schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with partners SoundStorm Music Education Agency (BCP). Explore the Orchestra: Dance, Dance, Dance visits Lighthouse, Poole [18-19 May].  All Explore the Orchestra events can be booked via the BSO’s website [bsolive.com].

 

 

Aspiring performers                                                                                                                                     

Further opportunities provide young musicians with advice and learning from the BSO’s professional musicians beyond the classroom.

 

Symphony from Scratch is an inclusive weekend of side-by-side music-making, designed to remove barriers. The event sees members of National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) join professional musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and BSO Resound alongside local amateur players. Together, the musicians create symphonic music as part of a large ensemble, culminating in an informal performance to family and friends. The event takes place at Lighthouse, Poole from 30-31 January 2027.

 

This vibrant programme is generously supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Skyrme Hart Charitable Trust, Dave & Jan Pointer, The Steel Charitable Trust, Sir Neville & Lady Simms, Rivers Foundation, Scops Arts Trust, Christine & Jim Dipple, and The VEC Acorn Trust.  Symphony from Scratch is sponsored by Lark Music, a leading musical instrument insurance provider.

 

Gramophone Award-winning pianist Boris Giltburg visits Bristol Beacon [5 Nov] to perform Schumann’s famous Piano Concerto. Young pianists taking part in an afternoon workshop with BSO Associate Musician Dr Jonathan James benefit from a Q&A session with Giltburg, as he shares insights into life as a global performer ahead of the public concert. Bookings are made via the Bristol Beacon Music Education Hub.

 

Two further experiences will see aspiring players in Devon benefit from the BSO’s musicians. A ‘Come and Play’ morning takes place at St Peter’s School, Exeter [16 Oct], designed for Key Stage 4 pupils to experience playing alongside professional musicians.

 

The BSO’s musicians will also work with young instrumentalists ahead of a performance of Carl Orff’s enduringly popular Carmina Burana, at Exeter Cathedral [21 Nov]. The young musicians will benefit from coaching in Totnes ahead of the public performance, which features the BSO and Exeter Philharmonic Choir. The project is in partnership with the Devon Music Hub and Exeter Philharmonic Choir.

 

 

Lucy Warren, Head of BSO Participate, said:
“The BSO exists to bring music into people’s lives – and children and young people are absolutely central to this. The Orchestra is renowned for inspiring pupils to think big and stretch their imagination, and we’re proud this latest series events will do just that.

“Whether your pupils are preparing for GCSEs and BTECs, or smaller children embarking on their first experience of a full-scale symphony orchestra, the BSO is here to support you. We’ll be in community halls and assembly halls and performing together: and if you’re an aspiring musician keen to hear insights from world-class soloists or interested to be part of an inclusive orchestra featuring instruments that utilise assistive technology, you’re bound to be inspired.”

 

 

One of the UK’s best-loved orchestras, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is known for championing the role of culture in people’s lives. Based at Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra is resident in Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton and Yeovil, and performs in towns and villages across the region. A registered charity, it is the largest performing organisation in the South West of England, serving one of the biggest and most diverse regions in the UK.

 

Children and young people can access many of the Orchestra’s main season concerts through its ‘Kids for a Quid’ scheme. In 2025/26, more than 14,800 under-18s attended a BSO concert for free or just £1.

 

Many of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 events for children and young people are now available to book – see bsolive.com for full details.

 

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