Information for Parents / Carers / Students
We welcome all young people to join us in our music making opportunities.
If you are a Parent / Carer / Student looking for free musical activities, please click on Student Learning. You can also find resources on our Youtube channel, split into playlists for different instruments and activities. Lastly, you might want to explore our Performance archive.
If are interested in playing in one of our Performance Groups, please click here to find out which group is best for you and your instrument. Our groups are open to all young people.
Please click on a heading / link below to access more information.
Looked After Children Information
FREE Performance Group Membership
We offer 100% discount on membership of any of our Performance Groups for Looked After Children.
To find out more about what we offer, please use our Group Finder to find the most relevant groups in terms of instrument / ability level and rehearsal day & time. https://leicestershiremusichub.org/group-finder
FREE Instrument Hire
We also offer 100% discount on the hire of our instruments for Looked After Children. Please visit our Instrument Hire page for more information and to book instrument hire.
The Beacon Voices Choir
Do you enjoy singing in a group? The Beacon Voices Choir might be the choir for you!
Every Monday (5:00pm - 6.30pm) during term time at Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester, Lancaster Rd, Leicester LE1 7HA
For all young people aged between 7-18 that are Children Looked After with Leicestershire County Council.
All transport will be arranged for you.
All singers help to choose the repertoire and we like to meet, sing and have fun.
We also like to perform to different audiences.
If you would like to join us or have a chat about the choir for more information please contact: Dawn Bagnall, Participation Officer, Corporate Parenting Team on Dawn.Bagnall@leics.gov.uk, 0116 3059522 or 07542029715. Visit the Beacon Voices website - http://thebeaconleics.com/choir.html
SEND Information
FREE 8 Week online video learning resource
Leicestershire Music SEND Work in Schools
Please click here to find out about our SEND work in schools
Leicester Soundabout Inclusive Choir
The Leicestershire Soundabout Inclusive Choir, in partnership with Leicestershire Music Hub, launched on Saturday 30th January 2020. The choir, which is being run virtually via Zoom for the moment, will welcome people of all abilities and ages to create a musical community without barriers. Rehearsals take place on alternate Saturday afternoons at 12:00pm.
The choir is co-directed by Emma Burns and Grace Davey who encourage all members to contribute ideas for repertoire, and to build up confidence to lead on particular songs. As a result the music we perform is very varied. There are always lots of opportunity for performance, both recorded/in the media and live.
Nicola Atkins from Leicestershire Music Hub
"We are really excited to be working in partnership with Soundabout to offer a new singing opportunity for young people and their families across Leicester and Leicestershire. The inclusive aspect of this group will enable people from all backgrounds and abilities to discover the joy of being part of a singing community whilst learning new skills and also having a lot of fun in a safe and caring environment."
Clare Cook, CEO, Soundabout
"Our experience in Oxford has shown us the powerful impact that an inclusive choir has on all involved – creating a musical community around children and young people with disabilities builds confidence in their own musicality and ability to form relationships. Some of the members will be singers, others may use technology or traditional instruments to make their contribution – all are welcome. Our team is aspirational in our approach and we are always looking to create exciting opportunities for leadership and performance within the choir."
To get an idea of how the choir works, please watch this BBC News piece about our Oxford Choir.
We are always keen to hear from individuals who would like to offer their services as a volunteer with our choir – this could be music students, college leavers, retired individuals or anyone who has an interest in music or in working with children and young people with additional needs
For any queries, please contact emma.burns@leics.gov.uk or gracedavey@soundabout.org.uk
Please click here to sign up to join the Leicestershire Inclusive Choir!
SEND Music Therapy Service
To visit the SEND Music Therapy Service website, please click here
SEND Newsletter for Families
Please click on a link below to access the relevant newsletter. Most recent versions are at the top.
SEND Families Newsletter 3 - July 2021
SEND Families Newsletter - 2 - May 2021
SEND Families Newsletter 1 - March 2021
Home Educators Information
Please click on a link below to see how we can help
FREE Primary School Level Resources
FREE Secondary School Level Resources
Performance Groups
We run a wide variety of Performance Groups for all young people for most instruments and ability levels.
Please use our new Group Finder to find the group best suited to your instrument / ability / availability!
Instrument Hire
We are now hiring instruments again following the Pandemic - if you are interested in hiring an instrument, please visit our Instrument Hire Page to find out more and request instrument hire.
Learn an Instrument
Speedadmin Login - for accessing your account for Music Making Activities / Instrument Hire
Please click here to access the Speedadmin Database.
(You will need the login and password you created when setting up your account)
The Speedadmin Database can be used to pay make payments, amend your details and to request to join music making activities / Instrument Hire
Become a Youth Ambassador!
Instrument Hire / VAT Scheme - Assistance with buying an Instrument
Adult Volunteers - Get involved with Leicestershire Music & Leicestershire Music Hub
Get involved with Leicestershire Music & Leicestershire Music Hub
Would you be able to help with
- Concerts?
- Rehearsals?
- Saturday Morning Parent Forums?
- Running a tuck shop?
- Supporting music making?
We can't wait to hear from you! We are always looking for ways that we can connect with Parents & Carers. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the application form below, email it to sharon.jagdevpowell@leics.gov.uk and we will contact you very soon.
Sharon Jagdev Powell (Deputy Head of Leicestershire Music)
Ayeesha Pocock - aged 9
Interview with Ayeesha Pocock
A Parent's Perspective
Ayesha joined the Leicestershire Music junior strings group in 2020 in the middle of lockdown. It was far from ideal meeting over Zoom, but the staff worked really hard to make it an enjoyable and valuable experience. Since Autumn 2021, the Leicestershire Music groups have been able to meet face to face again, and Ayesha has loved attending the Intermediate and Senior Strings groups. Her music has since come on in leaps and bounds, and she has discovered a love of playing with others that makes all the practice worthwhile. The leaders of these groups (Sam Giles & Jenni Goldsworthy) are fun and inspiring and their passion for sharing the joys of music really shines through. Ayesha has had the opportunity to play in amazing concerts, including at the De Montfort Hall, and being part of Leicestershire Music has also allowed her to discover a love for group singing through their choir provision.
Gillian Ramshaw, (Assistant Head of Service) would like to extend special thanks in particular to the formidable Dan Watson (LSSO Conductor) and Charlie Kedge, an orchestrator from Birmingham Conservatoire, whom have worked together to orchestrate the music, work with musicians and Ayesha, so that the symphony orchestra could bring her piece 'Lundy Storm' to life. As dad Tom recently commented, 'what an amazing experience for a 9-year-old!'
Ayesha is hoping to move up to the Leicestershire Music Concert Orchestra in September, where we have every confidence that her love of music will continue to be nurtured. We are very lucky in Leicestershire to have such a dynamic music hub. It's ongoing efforts to engage not just with schoolchildren but with home-educated children like Ayesha are much appreciated.
Good News! (August 2022)
We'd also like to congratulate Ayesha as the winner in the National Composing Competition in the 9-11 category for her piece 'Mystery' inspired by a session at Music Maze Birmingham.
