To mark the launch of the Mercury Fringe, a week of events leading up to the Mercury Prize award evening, we brought together 64 young people from across the North East to rehearse People Watching by local hero and 2025 Mercury Prize nominee Sam Fender at St James’ Park, filling the iconic stadium with energy and music, before performing at Tyneside Cinema for the official opening event.
We were thrilled to be joined by YolanDa Brown OBE and two players from the Newcastle United Women’s Team, who were blown away by the talent and passion of our young singers. What an incredible day for everyone involved!
17/10/25
Mini Mercury Choir did us proud!
Photography by Christopher Owens
Our Mini Mercury Choir, came together once again on the day of the award ceremony to deliver an unforgettable performance at Newcastle Central Station, welcoming Mercury Prize nominees and judges as they stepped off the train. Their rendition of People Watching by Sam Fender sounded absolutely brilliant in the space. They really showcased the incredible young talent we have across the North East!
A huge thank you to Generator for inviting us to be part of the Mercury Fringe celebrations, and to St James’ Park and LNER for hosting us on 8th and 16th October respectively, LNER kept everyone warm with their cosy scarves!
And of course a massive congratulations to local hero Sam Fender for winning the Mercury Prize Album of the Year 2025, we hope our choir’s version of your incredible song left you impressed!
24/09/25
📣 Save the Date! Upcoming CPD days for music teachers in the North East
08/09/25
🎶 A Day of Connection, Creativity and Collaboration: NEMH Workforce CPD Day 2025 🎶
🎤 A Rich and Varied Programme
The day began with a warm welcome and an overview of the North East Music Hub’s structure and strategic vision, delivered by Consortium Leads Chair David Francis. This session helped contextualise the Hub’s role within the new National Plan for Music Education and highlighted the strength of our regional partnerships.
Participants then dove into a lively practical session led by Rob Kitchen, exploring inclusive musical games and icebreakers designed to support engagement in mixed-ability groups. These take-home strategies were a hit, equipping tutors with fresh tools to energise their sessions and foster inclusive learning environments.
🗣️ Sharing Practice and Shaping the Future
Later in the day, delegates broke into instrument-specific discussion groups, facilitated by Hannah Taylor and NEMH representatives. These sessions encouraged rich conversations around repertoire, youth voice, and future CPD needs—laying the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and support across the region.
The day concluded with a joyful and inclusive vocal session led by Luke Mather from the National Youth Choir, showcasing contemporary starter songs that everyone could join in with—ending the day on a high note.
On Thursday 4th September, the North East Music Hub proudly hosted its first ever Workforce CPD Day: Professional Practice and Partnership at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead. This landmark event brought together music tutors, educators, and staff from across the region for a day of inspiration, practical learning, and meaningful connection.
🎧 Innovation Meets Inspiration
Lunchtime offered more than just a delicious meal—it was a chance to network and explore music technology hands-on. Thanks to Liam from Music Connects Sunderland, delegates had the opportunity to try out DJ decks and other tech tools, sparking ideas for integrating digital music-making into their practice.
The afternoon was anchored by a powerful keynote from the inspirational Clarence Adoo, whose session, “Musical Adaptations: Why Do What We Do?”, left a lasting impression. Clarence’s reflections on inclusion, creativity, and the transformative power of music reminded us all why we do this work.
💬 Reflections and Looking Ahead
Feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive. Delegates valued the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the region, share ideas, and feel part of a wider, supportive professional community. The event also marked a significant milestone in the Hub’s journey, reinforcing our commitment to inclusion, partnership, and excellence in music education.
We thank Von Fox Productions for their photography and videography throughout the day.