🎸 Rockin’ Roundup — January 2026

Christmas break came and went in a flash, and we’ve hit the ground running straight into January with fresh energy and big plans for the year ahead.

We’re delighted to share that Heist or Hit have confirmed funding for another full year of music sessions — helping us reach a whopping 300 students every single week across those two schools alone. Continued, long-term support like this is absolutely vital in allowing us to plan, grow and deliver high-quality music education consistently.

Looking ahead, 2026 sees the return of our BIG Music Evermore Summer Festival, taking place on Sunday 12th July at Chorlton South West Manchester Cricket Club, alongside exciting early planning for a School Battle of the Bands — more details coming very soon… 👀🎶

🎓 School Projects

Park View Academy (Miles Platting)

Funded by Heist or Hit

Following a superb first music showcase at the end of the Winter term, students returned in January refreshed, confident and eager to learn more.

KS1 have been developing basic keyboard skills, revisiting rhythm notation from last term and taking part in listening games designed to identify key musical elements such as tempo, dynamics and instrumentation — building musical vocabulary alongside practical skills.

KS2 have been developing across all instruments. In the first week back, every student had the opportunity to try the drums, helping build confidence while also identifying potential future drummers. Guitar and keyboard work has focused on core chord shapes (C, G, Am and simplified F), reinforcing how commonly these appear across popular music. As new songs are introduced, keys are being adapted to support this learning and embed understanding through repetition.

Peel Hall Primary Academy (Wythenshawe)

Funded by Heist or Hit

Although Peel Hall’s festive showcase had to be cancelled due to a widespread outbreak of chickenpox in the lead up to Christmas, the students returned in great spirits and quickly refocused on their next performance goal.

Sessions are now building towards a Valentine’s-themed half-term showcase, with learning centred around “love” songs and expressive performance.

KS1 have been developing confident singing voices, combining vocals with actions to support memory and delivery. KS2 are progressing well on instruments and ensemble playing, and with a few more weeks of rehearsal are shaping up to deliver a fantastic performance for families.

Seymour Road Academy (Clayton)

Funded by Rising Tide AI

Like Peel Hall, Seymour Road is working towards a special half-term Valentine’s performance, allowing Year 2, 4 and 6 pupils the chance to perform for parents following the Christmas break.

Year 2 are preparing a full-group vocal performance, Year 4 are developing a short set of accessible ensemble songs, and Year 6 are focusing on pieces with more complex structures — building confidence, listening skills and stage presence across all year groups.

🎤 Community Projects

Wythenshawe Forum Band Sessions

Funded by Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Investment Fund

January followed a hugely successful end-of-term showcase delivered in partnership with Brighter Sound, where four bands performed to a packed 150-capacity venue with professionalism and confidence.

The new term has seen bands welcoming new members, settling into refreshed line-ups and beginning work on new material, continuing to build momentum after a brilliant end to 2025.

🎸 Saturday Band Sessions

With the Battle of the Bands on the horizon that We Will Rock You Project are organising to raise money for Music Evermore, the groups are sounding stronger than ever.

There’s a particularly strong rhythm section forming in each group, with great interplay and musical communication — and exciting ideas emerging around expanding the drum parts for live performance. Confidence across the groups is clearly growing, and the bands are currently playing off each other with real cohesion and focus.

Thank You

We’re now reaching up to 1,000 children and young people every week across schools, community venues and youth settings — something we’re incredibly proud of.

Thank you to our funders, partners, tutors, schools, families and young people for making this possible. More updates — and more music — coming very soon