Morpeth Music Society 78th Season
Bringing exceptional classical music to Morpeth since 1944!

Did you know that MMS is a charity? MMS relies on the support of grant giving organisations and our generous members to provide our annual series of concerts. Please consider adding a donation to your season ticket payment. If you add £34 or more, MMS can claim GIFT AID on the whole payment.

Ambassador Schools:

• Allendale Primary School 
• Bothal Primary School
• Central Primary School 
• Hipsburn primary
• Holywell Village First School 
• Longridge Towers School
• Morpeth Newminster Middle School 
• NCEA Primary School
• Otterburn First School 
• Ovingham Middle School 
• Prudhoe West First School
• Seaton Sluice First School 
• The King Edward VI School
• The Sele First School

The Northumbrian Ranters made up of talented young musicians from Northumberland and Newcastle met up and performed at the stunning location of Chillingham Castle on Saturday 24 June 2023.

On the 16 May 2023, woodwind and brass players came together to play alongside the Royal Marines musicians during a visit to Newminster Middle School.

'Schools came together from across the region on Monday 15 May 2023 for Morpeth's One Big Performance, held on the grounds of Newminster Middle School. Enabling over 400 children from first, middle and high schools to showcase and enjoy their musical talent. A great time was had by all.'
   
 

Schools came together from across the region on Monday 15 May 2023 for Morpeth's One Big Performance, held on the grounds of Newminster Middle School. Enabling over 400 children from first, middle and high schools to showcase and enjoy their musical talent. A great time was had by all.

A fantastic time was had by all at the Northumbrian Pipers Society meeting. It is great to have such wonderful support for our Young Pipers Group!

A clogging good time was had at The Sele First School by our fantastic students who have been learning the art of clog dancing!

Photographs from The 3 Rivers Ceilidh joint workshop with Alistair Anderson on playing and dancing to folk music, took place on 7 March 2023.

Involving students from Chantry Middle School, Newminster Middle School, Dr Thomlinson Middle School and King Edward VI High School.

 

Brass in Concert reveals full Festival line-up

The 46th Brass in Concert Festival, presented in association with World of Brass, Banks Group and Yamaha, sees the long-anticipated return of the event’s gala concert, World of Brass in Concert, plus a revamped ‘Aspire’ education programme and pre and post-event entertainment for the Championship itself.
 

‘Aspire’ education programme paves the way for future generations 

Following on from the Bare Necessities of Brass event in 2022, Aspire Day, presented in association with Brass Bands England (BBE), will see over 250 local young musicians perform at Sage Gateshead on Friday 17 November prior to the World of Brass in Concert event. Throughout the day there will be a series of workshops delivered by BBE’s Brass Foundations team, which will then culminate in a final concert on the main Sage 1 stage. 

The young people taking part in this year's Brass in Concert Aspire programme have been selected from local schools and Music Education Hubs within the North East of England. The workshop programme - which also consists of school visits prior to the final performance day - and final concert, will form an important part of the 2023 Brass in Concert Festival, which aims to celebrate the very best of brass banding and support young people as they begin their brass-playing journey.

Brass in Concert trustee and education lead, Fiona Johnstone, commented: “It’s great to return to the Sage this year following on from last year’s successful relaunch of the education programme. Giving these young people the chance to perform on such an iconic stage is a life-changing opportunity, and we will do all that we can to support them in carrying on this amazing hobby in the future.”

The final performance is open to the public, starting at 3:30pm. Please note that seating for this event is open - you will be able to choose any available seat within the stalls.

Tickets for Aspire Day cost just £2.50, with under 16s attending for free (but please book via the box office).

Full details of the whole weekend can be found on the Brass in Concert website.

   
On Saturday 16 November 2019, 100 brass pupils from Bedlington and Ashington schools travelled to Sage Gateshead for workshops and performances at the annual Brass in Concert event.  Pupils from Meadowdale and St Benet Biscop Academies took part in a rehearsal and performed on the concourse before joining the six primary schools in an enthusiastic and rousing performance on the stage in Sage One. 

They then watched some of the innovative and entertaining performances by the Brass Bands who were taking part in the Youth competition.  It was an inspiring day for all who took part and a proud day for the many parents who came to watch their children perform at Sage Gateshead.

Quotes from students involved:

"I feel as if my self belief has gained a lot throughout the project, being in the band I have met new people who had faith in me and helped me when I needed it."  

"I love playing my cornet - It makes me feel peaceful. Music really helps me because it lets me know I can be successful in something!"

If you would like to know more about the project, please contact: Fiona.Johnstone@northumberland.gov.uk

Culture Bridge North East (CBNE) has commissioned Music Partnership North (Northumberland) to explore Northumberland schools’ barriers to cultural engagement and help develop a plan for CBNE’s strategic work with schools in North Northumberland in 2021.

This targeted work in North Northumberland is being supported by funding from the Department for Education which aims to develop an improved and more coherent local cultural education offer for children, young people and schools, particularly schools in areas with high proportions of disadvantaged pupils.

This consultancy aims to: 

• Increase the capacity of CBNE in North Northumberland; 
• Undertake research to understand if, how and why schools are engaging with culture and the arts, and if they are not, to understand the barriers facing these schools and how these might be overcome;    
• Develop a plan for locally-delivered programmes to run alongside CBNE’s regional Creative Classrooms, Cultural Leadership in Education, Arts Award and Artsmark programmes.   
• Visit their website here https://culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/

“Brass is Back”

Following the success of the 'Bedlington to Ashington Building Brass' initiative, we are delighted to announce that Youth Music have agreed to support our ongoing brass band regeneration project once again!
  
Over the last three years, we have worked closely with primary schools to create 'mini brass bands' who meet at lunchtime, or after school. These mini brass bands have provided a progression route from their whole class project brass tuition. 

This new round of funding will see the project expand into Bedlington, Ashington, and St Benet Biscop Academies. Our current project at Meadowdale Academy will also be expanded. Students will have the opportunity to progress and experience different instruments such as baritone, trombone and tenor horns.

Our outcomes built into the project are as follows:

• The creation of school mini bands will give students the opportunity to increase their musical ability and technical skills.
• To raise students aspirations to be involved and continue to be involved in music.
• Improved group cohesion and mutual respect amongst the students throughout the project.

 Find out more:

• 'Brass is Back'
• Youth Music

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"Why being involved in Brass is Back is increasing my musical opportunities"