Heart of England Music, The Music Hub for Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, hosted a successful Digital Music Festival on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 March.
The event celebrated music making across the Hub where Thursday’s event saw a one-minute music showcase on YouTube. Submissions came from schools, music service groups, individual pupils and music organisations across the Hub region.
Everyone came together to celebrate music education pathways and opportunities across the hub region and share their amazing work.
Earlier today (14 March), the hub facilitated a live streamed free concert. This included Raga Garage – live from The Royal Pump Rooms in Leamington Spa, hosted by Hub partner, Leamington Music, who performed a hot melting pot of musical influences, culminating in a sound both new and unique. Inspirational musicians Jyotsna Srikanth and Robert Atchison Violins, Shadrach Solomon Piano and Karthik Mani Percussion performed.
The musicians have tailored their work to attract both classical and contemporary music fans of all ages and cultures.
Heart of England Music was established in September 2024 and brought together the three local authority areas to work strategically together across the geographical area.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member Education and Skills at Coventry City Council said: “It was great that schools experienced a unified moment by joining the live stream together. The Hub works with approximately 22,000 students per week.
“With the live stream showing the fusion between western classical and bhangra music, it has no doubt inspired young people to take their skills further and continue making music with other Hub members or music services.
“There’s something really special about mixing the diversity of music sounds from diverse cultures.”
The festival has been led through the events group in the Hub, with leaders from each music service helping develop the programme.
Mark Steele, Coventry Music Lead at Coventry City Council said: “The event was a great way to enable pupils and families to see the opportunities across the region and to see they are just one of many pupils learning instruments.
“We would encourage all young people to watch the videos and if a music group looks exciting, for them to get in touch and give it a go!”
Watch the Live Music Festival videos
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