Schools from every area across the region took part in the North East Festival of Youth Choirs’ Primary Choir of the Year and Secondary Choir of the Year competitions at Glasshouse International Centre for Music
North East Music Hub hosted its first Partners Day, bringing regional and national partners together from a wide range of sectors to discuss how to develop and strengthen musical progression and inclusion for all children and young people.
North East Music Hub launched its 2026 CPD programme for all teachers in the region, all sessions free of charge. Session details can be found here:
Highlights from the Local Area:
Durham and Darlington
7 school choirs performed Vivaldi’s Gloria at Durham Cathedral with Paul McCreesh and the Gabrielli’s
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performance with 400 KS1 at Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Durham Music Gala: 500 pupils performed at the Glasshouse ICM from a range of Durham Music Service groups and ensembles
Gateshead
Secured £10K funding to run a music project for looked after children in partnership with Virtual School
Celebrated National Storytelling Week with National Literacy Trust with activities around the theme, Soundtrack Your Story
Gateshead school’s SEN music provision increased to develop into wider opportunities
Newcastle
Emma Johnson Foundation concerts in 6 primary schools
Schools came together in Newcastle Civic Centre for the Royal Opera and Ballet Create Carmen event to take part in a workshop and perform together
Gosforth Voices travelled round Gosforth, performing in 8 different schools
North Tyneside
North Tyneside is becoming an Ambassador Hub for Young Sounds, enabling the service to offer free instrumental lessons for up to 20 children & young people and recruit a mentor to support activity in the area
Saturday Morning Centre relocated to John Spence Community High School offering renewed opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists
Safe Stage project is due to launch in partnership with Crew Gal, North Shields Cultural Quarter and Music Connects Sunderland
Northumberland
Staff are being given a day off-timetable to visit colleagues and conduct peer-to-peer lesson visits
Spring Concert took place in Morpeth, including all county ensembles
A pilot whole class iPad project is running in one school this term prior to roll out in the summer
SLT have been invited to present and lead sessions at the Creatively Healthy Schools conference. A case study will be presented on multi-school partnership ensemble provision in addition to a participatory session around traditional Northumbrian music and dance.
South Tyneside
Commissioned to deliver ‘Create Your Own Career’ sessions, combining live music experiences in secondary schools and a first-hand opportunity to hear freelancers discuss how they make their own work, promoting recruitment for creative subjects at year 9
South Tyneside Music ensembles presented their ’Showcase’ event at the Customs House
Sunderland
MCS has partnered with InspirED our LCEP, Sunderland Culture and NECA to curate deliver a Creative Careers day for year 9 students across the city. 10 secondary schools attended with over 200 children and young people visiting the city’s cultural venues
MCS Infantasia and Vocal Showcase events have taken place engaging approximately 1800 children and young people in singing workshops and performances across the city across 9 performances
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