SoundLab’s vision is to create a space for all young people to be creative in their music making. Open to all, we celebrate diversity in musical genres, instruments, vocal styles and cultures, removing the barriers to enable all who wish to engage the opportunity to do so.

The Learning and Participation Team at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, have designed and lead on the programme. It is generously supported by Signatur, and additional financial support and resources from our partners across the West Midlands.

SoundLab BRUM

SoundLab BRUM is a Centre for Creative Music Making delivered in partnership with Services for Education and B:Music. Following a successful pilot at St Martin’s Youth and Community Centre in May and June of 2019, SoundLab BRUM finally launched its hybrid delivery model in September of 2021.

SoundLab BRUM have run after-school sessions in 5 partner schools across the city; Aston Manor Academy, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, Plantsbrook Academy in Sutton Coldfield and Queensbridge School in Moseley & Christ Church Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, as well as an ‘open to all’ session at the Royal Birmingham.

Twice a month, all centres join together for an evening of music-making at Symphony Hall thanks to our special partnership with B:Music. If you would like more information about joining our centres at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or Symphony Hall, or would like more information about how your school could get involved, please get in touch with us using the links below.

SoundLab COV

SoundLab COV was the very first SoundLab Centre delivered in partnership with Coventry Music, Coventry City Council and Positive Youth Foundation. After a development stage from November 2017, SoundLab COV opened in April 2018 and was officially launched on the 10th July 2019 by Julian Lloyd Webber with guest musicians and Coventry legends Neville Staple and Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple.

Other highlights for SoundLab COV include:

• Performing at Godiva Festival 2018 and 2019

• Performing at Coventry Music’s annual summer concerts

• Performing at Coventry Christmas Lights Switch On event 2018

• Undertaking a 3 day residential at Ingestre Hall May 2019

• Participating in City of Culture 2021 events

• Performing at the Fillongley Village Fete in Spring 2022

Musicians

Management

Richard Shrewsbury – Head of Learning & Participation & SoundLab Director

Aaron Diaz – SoundLab BRUM Project Lead

Alicia Gardener-Trejo - SoundLab BRUM Co-ordinator