🎸 Music Evermore Rockin’ Roundup — October 2025
As the days grow darker and colder, the fire and energy in our music sessions are keeping us warm — and yes, the Christmas songs are lurking already (sorry!). It’s been another packed and inspiring month across Manchester.
We had another brilliant Brighter Sound Live Night at the Forum Library Creative Space on 8th October, with several of our Wythenshawe Forum bands performing to a packed and energetic crowd. Huge well done to all of the young musicians who took to the stage — you were amazing!
Massive thank you to photographer Ingrid Turner for capturing these amazing pictures of our groups.
We’re already excited for our End-of-Term Performance with Brighter Sound on 12th December 🎤✨
And of course, all eyes are on the Manchester Culture Awards on Saturday 22nd November, where we’re honoured to be finalists for the Igniting Creativity: Culture, Education & Talent Development award. We’ve even started receiving video messages of support from some very well-known artists and actors — and we can’t wait to share them with you soon 👀💛
We’re also looking forward to running a 2 hour interactive band workshop at Newton Heath Library on Friday 7th November 10 - 12pm for Manchester City Council’s Festival Of Life Long Learning. All are welcome, see the full listings below:
🎓 School Projects
Park View Academy – Miles Platting
Funded by Heist or Hit Record Label
KS2 have been making fantastic progress this month, working on Ghostbusters and learning to read guitar TAB — with our two Year 4 groups really shining! Rhythm skills and ensemble timing are improving brilliantly across the board.
Breakfast Club has now launched, and students jumped straight into Can’t Stop the Feeling, reinforcing rhythms and TAB reading from daytime sessions.
KS1 have been exploring rhythm through percussion, clapping, stomping and even some keyboard work — with a special Halloween focus through Ghostbusters too. Christmas songs up next!
Seymour Road Academy – Clayton
Funded by Rising Tide AI
A strong term across Year 2, 4 and 6, with classes successfully performing full songs confidently, staying in time and finding their voices. Brilliant progress!
Our fantastic Year 6 after-school club continues — and we’re excited to launch a new Year 4 after-school band club after half-term. 🌟
Peel Hall Primary Academy – Wythenshawe
Funded by Heist or Hit Record Label
It’s been Harvest Festival season — and every class from early years to Year 6 has been rehearsing songs and actions ready for their big performance. Lovely community spirit all month.
Now we switch gears into Christmas mode!
The Rock ’n’ Roll Choir are preparing for a very special carol-singing trip to Manchester Airport in aid of charity — amazing work, everyone 🎄🎶
🎤 Community Sessions
Wythenshawe Forum Band Sessions
Funded by Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Investment Fund
Our Monday and Tuesday bands have been busy building setlists for the winter showcase.
Monday 4pm: Working on a fun mix of tracks — Christmas classics incoming!
Monday 5pm: Deep-diving into Under Pressure — new singer, new roles, incredible focus.
Tuesday 4pm: Welcoming lots of new members and settling into exciting beginner-friendly tracks.
Tuesday 5pm: Flying through three songs already this term — tackling more complex arrangements with real confidence.
So much talent bursting out of Wythenshawe every week 🙌
Saturday Band Sessions — We Will Rock You Project
Funded band places by public donations.
Group 1:
Lots of creativity and energy — exploring Bohemian Like You, Watermelon Sugar and We Will Rock You before narrowing in on We Will Rock You, Green Green Grass and an original song! Students are beginning to take more ownership, set roles, reduce instrument swapping and focus on tightening their set. Exciting momentum heading into winter 👏
Group 2:
Finalising a set of Sit Down, Song 2 and Paint It Black.
Working hard on listening, tight timing and ensemble playing — with drumming leadership helping keep everything locked in. Sheet music going home next to support progress. Brilliant dedication!
Thank You & What’s Next
We’re continuing to grow and are now reaching up to 1,000 young people every week across schools, youth centres and community hubs. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of — and it’s only possible because of our amazing funders, partners, families and young people.
Thank you, as always, for your support.
See you next month for another jam packed edition ✨