September has been a whirlwind of music, inspiration, and collaboration across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay! We kicked off the academic year with a series of CPD events for Visiting Music Teachers, delivered in partnership with Young Sounds UK, Charanga, and Plymouth Youth Music Service, plus online Teach Meets connecting educators across the region.
Over 250 students experienced the magic of live performance with cellist Johannes Moser and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Braunton Academy. Meanwhile, a two-day residency with Queen Victoria’s Consort reached over 800 young people, thanks to support from the Exeter and District Classical Music Trust.
Our Battle of the Bands finalists rocked the Beehive Honiton, with Burnt Daylight even featuring on BBC Music Introducing!
From Parliament advocacy to Gabrieli workshops and inspiring “come and sing” sessions, it’s been a powerful reminder of music’s impact. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
Devon Music Education Hub is thrilled to present the Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands 2026! Aspiring young bands from secondary schools and settings across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay are invited to apply for a place in one of our regional heats. Each band will receive performance feedback from music industry professionals, with selected groups progressing to the final at Exeter Phoenix on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
Thanks to the support of our Hub partners—R&K Studios and Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI)—previous participants have gone on to professionally record and release their music, perform at major festivals, and receive radio airplay. Next time, it could be you!
Our regional heats will take place on the following dates and locations (6-9pm, soundchecks from 4pm):
🎵 Tuesday 3 February – Petroc College, Barnstaple
🎸 Wednesday 4 February – Plympton Academy, Plymouth
🥁 Tuesday 10 February – Torquay Academy
🎤 Thursday 12 February – Queen Elizabeth's School, Crediton
Devon Music Education Hub would like acknowledge the generous support of our host schools for supporting these events.
Devon Music Education Hub is pleased to offer maintained secondary schools and academies across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay fully subsidised access to the expanded Secondary Music Suite of digital learning resources for 2025–26.
To help teachers get started, we’re hosting an online twilight CPD session introducing the suite’s powerful tools for teaching and learning music.
🧰 What’s Included:
🎹 Charanga Secondary (with YuStudio DAW)
📚 Focus on Sound
👂 Auralia & Musition
🎼 OGenPlus composition tool
These cloud-based platforms offer unlimited access for staff and students, supporting inclusive, high-quality music education.
💡 Why Attend?
- Explore each platform
- Learn how to integrate them into your curriculum
- Ask questions and share ideas with colleagues
📅 Date & time: 4-5pm Tuesday 14 October | Online via MS Teams
Let’s make the most of this exciting opportunity—join us online!
Devon Music Education Hub is thrilled to present two dynamic, interactive concerts designed for students studying or preparing for GCSE or BTEC Music. Led by BSO Associate Patrick Bailey and seven musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, these sessions offer live analysis of set works and a collaborative composition experience.
📍 1-2.30pm Thursday 6 November – Plympton Academy, Plymouth
📍 1-2.30pm Friday 7 November – Uffculme School, Cullompton
Students will explore key works, compositional techniques, and help shape a brand-new piece live! These concerts are not to be missed, and always prove popular with secondary schools so book early to avoid disapointment!
Hub partners, Teacher Rock®, are excited to announce their festive two-night residency at the stunning Exeter Cathedral this November—and they’re inviting schools from across the South West to take part!
📅 Dates: Thursday 27 or Friday 28 November 2025
🎤 Featuring: Teachers Rock® adult & youth choirs + guest youth choirs from across the region
This is a unique opportunity for young people to perform inspirational songs on one of the South West’s most iconic stages.
Schedule Highlights
🎼 School rehearsal: 6:15–7:15pm
🎟 Gala Concert: 8:00–9:30pm
📚 Inclusive digital resource pack provided
Costs
🏫 £60 per school registration
👥 £4 per participant
👕 £10 per Youth Choir T-shirt
Tickets go on sale Friday 10 October at 7:00pm via TicketSource — last year sold out in 24 hours!
Hub partners, Take Art, are inviting experienced musicians and songwriters to take part in Sing Our Story, a heart-warming early years project designed to support children with additional needs. Working closely with families and early years settings, artists will co-create bespoke songs that celebrate each child’s unique identity, voice, and story.
This paid opportunity is ideal for creative practitioners who are confident working in inclusive environments and passionate about using music to make a meaningful difference. You’ll be part of a supportive team helping children feel seen, heard, and valued through the power of song.
Take Art is particularly keen to hear from artists based in or near Devon who are interested in joining this inspiring initiative.
Calling all saxophonists! Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music-making at King Edward VI Community College, Totnes, from 2–5pm. Led by renowned saxophonist and educator Ed Leaker, with tutors Jade Gall and Sarah Dean, this workshop is open to young players of all levels. Explore technique, ensemble playing, and performance skills in a fun and supportive environment. The day will end with a sharing performance for parents/carers at 4:45pm. Hosted by Devon Music Education Hub and the brand new Devon Youth Saxophone Ensemble.
Do you know a child who loves to sing? Exeter Cathedral invites children aged 7 to 10 (Years 2–5) to take part in Be a Chorister for a Day—a free, fun-filled musical experience on Saturday 29 November 2025, from 10:45am to 4:45pm.
Led by the Cathedral’s Director of Music and team, children will enjoy:
🎵 Singing practice in the historic Song School
🏰 A guided tour of the Cathedral
🎨 A creative workshop with Exeter Cathedral School
🎤 A final performance alongside the Cathedral Choristers
📜 A certificate celebrating their participation
Lunch and snacks are provided, and parents are invited to attend a special presentation in the Lady Chapel. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of choral music in one of the UK’s most iconic settings.
Introduction to Secondary Music Suite
Tuesday 14 October | Online
Music Licensing in Education Q&A
Thursday 16 October 2025 | Online
Ofsted Update on Music in Schools
Tuesday 21 October 2025 | Online
Meet Soundabout
Thursday 6 November 2025 | Exeter Community Centre
Family Concert: It's a String Thing
Sunday 12 October 2025 | Barkham, Exmoor
BIG Saxophone Day
Sunday 19 October 2025 | King Edward VI Community College, Totnes
Emmanuel Back (violin) & Jenny Stern (piano)
Sunday 26 October 2025 | Barkham, Exmoor
The Melting Pot: Performance Opportunity for Young Musicians
Friday 31 October 2025 | The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra KS4 Set Works LIVE!
Thursday 6 November 2025 | Plympton Academy, Plymouth
Friday 7 November 2025 | Uffculme School, Cullompton
Be a Chorister for a Day
Saturday 29 November 2025 | Exeter Cathedral
Duncan Honeybourne (piano)
Sunday 30 November | Barkham, Exmoor
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