That’s all wonderful to know! It sounds as though the whole event was a real highlight for many of the children, especially Jack, and highlights the importance of music making and inclusivity. Music belongs to everyone, everyone belongs to music, and we all are the music! Let’s hope for many more gatherings like this so that life-long memories and vital experiences can be nurtured.”
Education and Community
Free Learning and Community Participation
The Festival is committed to music education for children and the community. For many years now school children have been invited to attend performances and join in with a variety of workshops completely free-of-charge, with some events open to people of all ages.
Details of future opportunities will be sent to all schools in advance; however, places are limited and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering 01635 528766 or email [email protected] for further information.
None of these events could happen without the support of our generous sponsors and funders, to whom we are hugely grateful.
February 2026
Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir
Members of Soul Sanctuary Gospel choir will be working with local secondary age students for a day workshop. Those students will then be invited to perform in the free outdoor performance on Sunday 17 May.
9 May
Festival Parade
Back for the second year, this is an opportunity for local performers to take part in the parade moving through town, culminating in the Market Square. Find out more
12 May
RANT
RANT will host a special afternoon performance for local school age children. They’ll be demonstrating some of the fiddle techniques and Scottish folk tunes that are central to their performances. RANT will perform at the Corn Exchange that evening.
14 May
G&S
Around the world (of G&S) in 60 minutes! A special hour long session introducing local school students to the world of operetta ahead of the 80 minute evening show.
16 May
Big Sing Saturday
An opportunity to celebrate singing in all its forms. Local choirs are invited to come along and take part. Audiences are invited to come and go across the whole day. Find out more and sign up here.
16 May
Jess Gillam – masterclass
Saxophonist Jess Gillam is passionate about music education, and we’re delighted she’s hosting a free masterclass. Pupils interested in performing should contact Jane Pickering before the end of March 2026.
17 May
Soul in the Marketplace
Michael Collins will hold a masterclass session for local clarinet students ahead of his evening
recital. Pupils interested in performing should contact Jane Pickering before the end of March 2025.
19 May
Ballet Central
Schools, dance classes and ballet companies are invited to come and learn from the free Open Company Class. This special afternoon session will feature extracts of the full evening show.
19 May
Ensemble Augelletti
The Ensemble will stay on to visit three local primary schools the day after their concert to deliver a “Georgian Tea Party” concert introducing students to music of the 17th and 18th Centuries.
21 May
Festival Chorus
School age students are invited to listen to the rehearsal of Brahms’ German Requiem with Spring Festival Chorus in St Nicolas Church ahead of the evening concert.
Young Festival Critics Competition
Becoming a Festival Critic is a great way to indulge your love of live music, hone your writing skills and enhance your CV or university application. If you’re under 18, see a performance and then write a short review telling us what you thought of it, you could win a music lesson. More details can be found here.
Young Artists Lunchtime Recital series
All local schools are invited to apply for free tickets to any of the Young Artists Lunchtime Recital series concerts at the Corn Exchange. Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering for further information.
Details of these free opportunities will be sent to all schools in advance; however places are limited and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Jane Pickering on 01635 528766 or email [email protected] for further information.
None of these events could happen without the support of our generous sponsors and funders, to whom we are hugely grateful.
Gallery
