Dorset Music Hub

What we offer

Schools & Settings

How the Hub supports musical learning

Making Music

Find an activity, event or musical group

Instrumental Learning

Find support for your musical journey

Resources

Find support to facilitate musical learning

Musical Inclusion

Support for musical learning for everyone

Training & CPD

Connect with local peers and national experts

Facebook

3 days ago

6 days ago

The Octagon Music Hub are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for young, and aspiring, brass players aged 7-18 to work with a brass quintet from the Royal College of Music. The quintet ‘Stately Brass’ are hosting a day of brass activities for families and young people to come and experience and features students who grew up and started their brass journey in Dorset. We would love for you to share the attached flyer with the children and young people you work with to help share this opportunity.

The Brass Experience Day will take place on Saturday 18th January, from 11.00-3.30pm, at The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and will include:
• ‘Have-a-go’ session for anyone interested in trying out a brass instrument,
• Live concert from the quintet followed by a Q+A about music college
• Workshop for young brass players - Places must be booked in advance for this activity and are suitable for players who know 5 notes or more on a brass instrument.

Families are welcome to turn up on the day for the morning activities, with the afternoon workshops for brass students only. Please see the flyer for the timings of the day.

We hope that the young people you work with will join us on the day and gain knowledge and skills that will help them progress in their musical journey.

If you have any questions about this event then please get in touch! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

6 days ago

The Octagon Music Hub are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for young and aspiring brass players aged 7-18 to work with a brass quintet from the Royal College of Music. Check out these amazing bios for the quintet;
Archie Musselwhite is a Trumpeter entering his fourth year at the Royal College of Music. Archie grew up playing in brass bands from an early age, finding his passion for music playing the flugelhorn. He plays with various ensembles around London, including playing Strauss’s ‘Heldenleben’ at Sinfonia Smith Square earlier this year.
Horn player Derry Sowinski is in his fourth year of studies at the Royal College of Music. Playing in a variety of orchestras and ensembles, Derry is very excited about the newly founded Stately Brass quintet and hopes to bring brass chamber music to people around Great Britain. Derry is currently involved in a scheme with the ENO and can be seen frequently playing in ensembles around London.
Max Pritchard started playing trombone from age 9 and is now in his 4th year of the Royal College of Music. He has played in Orchestras around the UK and is part of the up-and-coming trombone quartet ‘Let it Slide’ along with the outstanding ‘Stately Brass’! Max is a busy player and has recently taken part in a Sit-in scheme with the ENO.
Sean Linton is a 2nd year undergraduate tuba player studying at the Royal College Of Music, who has been involved in representing Wales and Great Britain on a Brass band and Orchestral level. Sean has also played in ensembles and county orchestral projects since the age of 9. Sean has loved his involvement and collaboration with the other players and hopes to continue this as he progresses through his later years of study at the college.
Olivia Wild is a 3rd year undergraduate trumpet player studying at the Royal College of Music. Olivia started playing the trumpet at age 9. Passionate about chamber music and her involvement in Stately Brass, Olivia also spends time engaging in orchestral projects in and around London. Olivia has recently taken part in a Sit-in Scheme with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and orchestral highlights include performing Mahler 5 earlier this year! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

6 days ago

Give your pupils the gift of music this Christmas with Merry Mixers!
We are delighted to launch our first digital music making competition for pupils in Years 4-8 to showcase their musical creativity! The competition will take place over the Christmas break so schools do not need to do anything, other than share the opportunity and provide pupils with access to Charanga at home. Schools who aren’t Hub members, still have access to YuStudio via Charanga to enable pupils to make music at home. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

6 days ago

Octagon Music Hub are offering the music education workforce in Dorset and Somerset the chance to take part in group reflective sessions to build up a community of practice where participants can learn from each other and reflect on their own practice.

There are three opportunities during Spring Term ’25 (two in January and one in March). All meetings will be online via Microsoft Teams – please contact dorsetmusicservice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for meeting access details.

• Friday 10th January 11:30 - 12:00

• Wednesday 15th January 16:30 – 17:00

• Monday 10th March 13:30 – 14:00

#Dorset #music ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

7 days ago

Network Meetings for Music Educators in Dorset – Spring Term 2025

Come along to your local music hub network meeting for the latest music education updates and to make valuable connections with musicians, schools and music organisations in your area of Dorset.

Chesil area – Tuesday 21st January 12:15-13:00
• Online via Microsoft Teams*

Dorchester & West Dorset - Thursday 6th February 15:45-16:45
• Online via Microsoft Teams*

Purbeck - Monday 10th February 16:00-17:00
• Online via Microsoft Teams*

North Dorset & Lytchett area – Wednesday 26th February 16:00-17:00
• Online via Microsoft Teams*

East Dorset - Tuesday 11th March 16:00-17:00
• In-person*

*Contact dorsetmusicservice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk to request the meeting details

#Dorset #music ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 week ago

Routes Into Music – young people’s career expo

Octagon Music Hub and B Sharp are very excited to announce this brand-new event for young people aged 14-18 years!

Routes Into Music will be an engaging conference day for students to explore the diverse career opportunities within the music industry.

Students will be able to meet expert professionals, and take part in interactive workshops, panel events and demos to explore the range of careers, and routes into the industries.

The event is open to students who attend Dorset state schools and educational settings and those who are educated at home.

More details will follow in the new year – in the meantime, save the date in your diary:

• Date: Tuesday 25th March 2025
• Time: 10am-3pm
• Venue: Kingston Maurward College

Dorset secondary schools have received an invitation to this event. However, for those schools not attending, bookings from parents and carers are welcomed via Eventbrite: buff.ly/4gkn9Iw

@BSharp #Dorset #Musiccareers ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 week ago

The inaugural Bryanston String Competition in partnership with Trinity Laban Conservatoire is taking place at Bryanston on Sunday 23 March 2025.

• Classes for all ages and standards
• Amazing prizes including the Trinity Laban String Award and the opportunity to play a solo with a professional orchestra
• Adjudicator: Nic Pendlebury (Head of Strings, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London)

Deadline for entries is Friday 31 January 2025.

Please do sign up for the opportunity to take part by visiting buff.ly/41omLnG.

If you are a school wanting to make multiple entries, do get in touch with Bryanston directly by contacting css@bryanston.co.uk. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 week ago

The Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra was delighted to welcome back trumpeter and composer Laura Jurd on Sunday 8th December for a workshop and sell-out performance as part of the SoundCellar jazz series. To find out more, go to the Octagon Music Hub website: buff.ly/4gDaUXi
#dorset #jazz @laurajurd ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

The Octagon Music Hub are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for young, and aspiring, brass players aged 7-18 to work with a brass quintet from the Royal College of Music. The quintet ‘Stately Brass’ are hosting a day of brass activities for families and young people to come and experience and features students who grew up and started their brass journey in Dorset. We would love for you to share the attached flyer with the children and young people you work with to help share this opportunity.

The Brass Experience Day will take place on Saturday 18th January, from 11.00-3.30pm, at The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and will include:
• ‘Have-a-go’ session for anyone interested in trying out a brass instrument,
• Live concert from the quintet followed by a Q+A about music college
• Workshop for young brass players - Places must be booked in advance for this activity and are suitable for players who know 5 notes or more on a brass instrument.

Families are welcome to turn up on the day for the morning activities, with the afternoon workshops for brass students only. Please see the flyer for the timings of the day.

We hope that the young people you work with will join us on the day and gain knowledge and skills that will help them progress in their musical journey.

If you have any questions about this event then please get in touch! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

Give your pupils the gift of music this Christmas with Merry Mixers!
We are delighted to launch our first digital music making competition for pupils in Years 4-8 to showcase their musical creativity! The competition will take place over the Christmas break so schools do not need to do anything, other than share the opportunity and provide pupils with access to Charanga at home. Schools who aren’t Hub members, still have access to YuStudio via Charanga to enable pupils to make music at home. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

Give your pupils the gift of music this Christmas with Merry Mixers!
We are delighted to launch our first digital music making competition for pupils in Years 4-8 to showcase their musical creativity! The competition will take place over the Christmas break so schools do not need to do anything, other than share the opportunity and provide pupils with access to Charanga at home. Schools who aren’t Hub members, still have access to YuStudio via Charanga to enable pupils to make music at home. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

2 weeks ago

The inaugural Bryanston String Competition in partnership with Trinity Laban Conservatoire is taking place at Bryanston on Sunday 23 March 2025.

• Classes for all ages and standards
• Amazing prizes including the Trinity Laban String Award and the opportunity to play a solo with a professional orchestra
• Adjudicator: Nic Pendlebury (Head of Strings, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London)

Deadline for entries is Friday 31 January 2025.

Please do sign up for the opportunity to take part by visiting tickets.bryanston.co.uk/sales/music-string-competition.

If you are a school wanting to make multiple entries, do get in touch with Bryanston directly by contacting css@bryanston.co.uk. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

3 weeks ago

Collaborative Composition.
Music is often a shared experience. When children participate in musical groups or ensembles, they learn about teamwork and collaboration. They discover how their individual contributions can create something larger than themselves – a lesson that’s invaluable for creative thinking and social interaction.
Find out what musical learning opportunities are available. Visit the Dorset Music Service Linktree above to find our website, other social media platforms, and mailing list link. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 weeks ago

The Octagon Music Hub are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for young, and aspiring, brass players aged 7-18 to work with a brass quintet from the Royal College of Music. The quintet ‘Stately Brass’ are hosting a day of brass activities for families and young people to come and experience and features students who grew up and started their brass journey in Dorset. We would love for you to share the attached flyer with the children and young people you work with to help share this opportunity.

The Brass Experience Day will take place on Saturday 18th January, from 11.00-3.30pm, at The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and will include:
• ‘Have-a-go’ session for anyone interested in trying out a brass instrument,
• Live concert from the quintet followed by a Q+A about music college
• Workshop for young brass players - Places must be booked in advance for this activity and are suitable for players who know 5 notes or more on a brass instrument.

Families are welcome to turn up on the day for the morning activities, with the afternoon workshops for brass students only. Please see the flyer for the timings of the day.

We hope that the young people you work with will join us on the day and gain knowledge and skills that will help them progress in their musical journey.

If you have any questions about this event then please get in touch! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

4 weeks ago

Check out this FREE Online Webinar hosted by Music Mark...

'Inspiring Music Makers: Enhancing Classroom Engagement with Ableton'

Tuesday 3 December 2024: 16:00 to 17:00

Follow this link to the Technology in Music Education (TiME) website for more info: ... See MoreSee Less

FREE Online Webinar! Inspiring Music Makers: Enhancing Classroom Engagement with Ableton — TiME - Technology in Music Education

FREE Online Webinar! Inspiring Music Makers: Enhancing Classroom Engagement with Ableton - Tuesday 3rd Dec 2024, 4pm to 5pm

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 month ago

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Curious Creatures’ for families in Sturminster Newton.
Dorset’s rural arts charity Artsreach Dorset is thrilled to partner with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra this winter, bringing a programme especially for families to The Exchange in Sturminster Newton.
An ensemble of fourteen musicians from across Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invite families to join them on a musical journey through the natural world. Travel on this symphonic venture through verdant forests and across the open ocean. Embrace the wild with a catchy Mancini tune and Elgar’s spirited The Wild Bears. Explore the elements with Williams’ ode to the sea and de Falla’s frenzied Ritual Fire Dance and enjoy an orchestral adaptation of a popular work by Björk with music that delves into emotions of the heart through the crystallisation of minerals and rocks. The sing-a-long favourite from the blockbuster Moana and Vaughan Williams’ musical flight of the lark completes the programme.
Proudly presented by artsreachdorset and The Exchange in partnership with the @bsorchestra, this adventurous afternoon is an escapade fit for all to join, taking place at 3pm on Sunday 15 December.
Tickets and further information are available from 01258 475137 or online at www.artsreach.co.uk

Lucy Warren, Head of BSO Participate, said “Our Curious Creatures BSO On Your Doorstep family concerts are designed especially for children and families - giving the youngest audience the opportunity to connect with music and musicians of the BSO. With a programme journeying through a rich tapestry of sound worlds inspired by our magnificent planet, from elephants and bears to wild oceans and crystals, we can’t wait to connect - and perform with! – an audience of all ages in Sturminster Newton next month”

Sun 15 Dec, 3pm. The Exchange Sturminster Newton. 01258 475137 ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 month ago

The Octagon Music Hub are delighted to share a fantastic opportunity for young, and aspiring, brass players aged 7-18 to work with a brass quintet from the Royal College of Music. The quintet ‘Stately Brass’ are hosting a day of brass activities for families and young people to come and experience and features students who grew up and started their brass journey in Dorset. We would love for you to share the attached flyer with the children and young people you work with to help share this opportunity.

The Brass Experience Day will take place on Saturday 18th January, from 11.00-3.30pm, at The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and will include:
• ‘Have-a-go’ session for anyone interested in trying out a brass instrument,
• Live concert from the quintet followed by a Q+A about music college
• Workshop for young brass players - Places must be booked in advance for this activity and are suitable for players who know 5 notes or more on a brass instrument.

Families are welcome to turn up on the day for the morning activities, with the afternoon workshops for brass students only. Please see the flyer for the timings of the day.

We hope that the young people you work with will join us on the day and gain knowledge and skills that will help them progress in their musical journey.

If you have any questions about this event then please get in touch! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 month ago

Shaftesbury Arts Centre is launching a new, weekend-long competitive festival for young people to demonstrate their musical skills!

On November 23rd and 24th the team at Shaftesbury Arts Centre are launching their very first music festival – The Shaftesbury Young Performers Festival. The festival aims to encourage, motivate and critique children 4-11, 12-18 who are learning a musical instrument or voice and will culminate with a celebratory concert on Saturday 30th November.

Applications are invited from school choirs and individuals living in the catchment area; roughly Mere in the North, Fovant (East), Blandford (South) and Sherborne (West). The date and venue for the school choirs is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be held on Friday November 22nd.

Please consider this opportunity to take part in an event in the community. There is a charge of £5 for each entry.
Visit the Arts Centre’s website for more information and registration. buff.ly/3zzRvGP ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Dorset Music Service

1 month ago

An amazing event at @marinetheatrelymeregis.

The Marine Theatre and Gilroy Theatre join forces to bring you A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens – a ghost story of Christmas! 🎅

Bring the whole family to enjoy this tale as old as time and take advantage of our special family ticket deal 🎟

Running at the Marine Theatre from the 19-20 December, book your tickets today.

www.marinetheatre.com/a-christmas-carol-by-charles-dickens/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

News

Sell-out performance featuring the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra and Laura Jurd

The Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra was delighted to welcome back trumpeter and composer Laura Jurd on Sunday 8th December for a workshop and sell-out performance

Entries open for the inaugural Bryanston String Competition

The inaugural Bryanston String Competition in partnership with Trinity Laban Conservatoire is taking place at Bryanston on Sunday 23 March 2025. Classes for all ages and standards Amazing

Upcoming Wessex Schools Music event – Thomas Hardye Carol Service at St Peter’s Church

Wednesday 18th December 7:30 PM: Thomas Hardye Carol Service at St Peter’s Church. This magical service featuring the Thomas Hardye Singers will be a wonderful

Dorset Music Hub

What we offer

Schools & Settings

Making Music

Instrumental Learning

Resources

Musical Inclusion

Training & CPD

In the Dorset area