Music for Youth is delighted to stage a national event for young musicians to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. Funded by Arts Council England made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the Coronation Bandstand Project will seethousands of young musicians perform on bandstands in public parks across all 9 regions in England from 6 – 8 May 2023, enabling music and young people to play an important part in marking this historic occasion. Participation in music events like this supports young people in their development, well-being and improves social skills.
Music for Youth will fund and support Music Education Hubs and Local Cultural Education Partnerships regionally to host multiple events on prominent bandstands, showcasing the brilliance of young musicians performing all styles and genres of music. Other performing arts will be on show, including dance, musical theatre and spoken word as well as a performance of a specially commissioned fanfare by a young composer. These special events will bring communities, families, and friends together, and celebrate local culture and heritage.
Events will be taking place across the country from Tyneside to Penzance. If you would like to take part there are open opportunities and bursaries available. To register your interest please email coronation@mfy.org.uk
Music for Youth’s Director of Programmes Kate Gardner, said: “Music for Youth is so excited to bring young musicians together from across England to celebrate this special occasion. Young people make great music, and we encourage you to come along and support the next generation of musicians through this historic event. Our thanks to the Arts Council England and National Lottery for their support”.
Darren Henley, CEO, Arts Council England, said: "His Majesty the King has long been a champion of music and musicians, so it’s fitting that we’re supporting this celebratory showcase of the next generation of England’s exciting young musical talent as they perform on bandstands across the country.”
Bring your family, friends and picnics and come and visit us at one of our fun-filled musical events to mark the Coronation weekend!
Our events will be hosted at the following locations:
North East:
- Richardson Dees Park, North Tyneside - 11am to 3:30pm, 6th May - More info
North West:
- Barrow Park Banstand - 2pm to 4pm, 7th May - More info
East of England:
- Gorleston-on-Sea Bandstand, Norfolk - 10am to 5pm, 6th May - More info
East Midlands:
- The Kirkby Plaza, Nottingham - 10am to 3pm, 5th May
- Berry Hill Park and Bandstand, Mansfield - 12 noon to 4pm, 7th May - More info
West Midlands:
- MAC Outdoor Theatre, Birmingham - 10am to 4:30pm, 8th May - More info
London:
- Raphael's Park Bandstand, Romford - 12 noon to 5pm, 7th May
- Fassnidge Park Bandstand, Uxbridge - 11am to 5pm, 7th May - More info
South East:
- East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft - 3pm to 7pm, 6th May - More info
- Brighton Bandstand - 1pm to 6pm, 7th May - to sign up to perform please follow this link
South West:
- Princess Pavillion, Falmouth - 12:30pm to 7pm, 6th May - More info
- Morrab Gardens, Penzance - from 1:30pm, 6th May
- Vivary Park Bandstand and Castle Green, Taunton - 2pm to 8pm, 6th May - More info
- Vivary Park Bandstand and Castle Green, Taunton - 10:30pm to 8pm 7th May - More info
- Pittfield Park Bandstand, Cheltenham - 9am to 5pm, 6th May - More info
- Pittfield Park Bandstand, Cheltenham - 11am to 11pm, 7th May - More info
More information about the King’s Coronation can be found here https://coronation.gov.uk/about-the-coronation/
Fanfare Music
Meet Chris Brooke
Chris has been commissioned by MFY to compose the fanfare music that will be performed at all of the Bandstand Coronation events. Chris is an 19-year-old composer and musician from Norwich and has been studying composition primarily with David Stowell for 6 years. Over 12 years of music making, he has enjoyed studying the clarinet, bassoon, and piano among others, performing in the Norfolk County Symphonic Wind Band (bass clarinet), Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (principal bassoon and clarinet), Norfolk Students Jazz orchestra (lead alto saxophone), and multiple ensembles in the Guildhall Young Artists Norwich centre. He is looking forward to taking up a place at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September studying composition.
Thanks to our supporters
Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 we will invest over £440 million of public money from Government and an estimated £93 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk.
Curious Minds
Since 2008, Curious Minds has been connecting children and young people, teachers and youth workers with incredible artists and creative practitioners; giving them access to information, expertise, space and resources to facilitate collaboration and innovation in the field of creative and cultural education. We are an ambitious charity that works to bring about positive and lasting change. We provide strategic support to the cultural education workforce and deliver learning and development programmes that help diversify and professionalise the field of cultural education.