News

Get the very latest on what's happening at THAMES.

THAMES Partnership Projects 2024-25

THAMES is excited to announce seed funding support for cultural partner organisations to deliver 13 innovative, high-quality arts education projects across schools in Tower Hamlets this coming academic year. These seed funded projects join a host of ongoing partnership projects which will provide rich, cultural opportunities to over 10,000 pupils, bringing additional investment of c. £250k, to complement instrumental, vocal and curriculum music tuition provided by THAMES in Tower Hamlets schools.

Rich Mix’s ‘Flip the Script’ programme

Flip the Script provides children and teachers in schools with the tools to tell their stories through film. Now in its 7th year, the programme involves film screenings for schools, in-school workshops culminating in pupils creating their own short films, and continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops for teachers. Using performance, storytelling and various film-making techniques, pupils explore how their own personal narratives link to those of different places and times, and how our collective histories impact the world we live in today. To celebrate the project’s achievements, a film was made documenting the 2023-24 programme.

Lights Camera Score 2024: The Place I Love

For the fifth consecutive year, Lights Camera Score has inspired creativity in primary schools and music centres across Tower Hamlets. This year, children embarked on a journey of storytelling and music composition, crafting original soundtracks for a new collection of animated films centred around the theme ‘The Place I Love’.

THAMES Festival 2024

In June 2024, 500 young people united in a vibrant festival of music and dance, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Tower Hamlets. The festival featured the culmination of three remarkable projects: Songs That Move Us, Lights Camera Score and Exchanging Notes, as well as performances by Tower Hamlets Youth Orchestra, Stepney All Saints Steel Pan Ensemble, THAMES Children’s Choir and a selection of primary instrumental ensembles.

June 2024 - What is the Saturday Music Centre?

What is the Saturday Music Centre? Find out more about how young musicians from across Tower Hamlets make music together every Saturday morning during term time. There's lots to get involved with, including choirs, bands and orchestras. If your child is aged 7-18 and currently learns a musical instrument we'd love to hear from you! Video produced by Lisa Bannon

Jun 2024 - Youth Advisors needed

Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service (THAMES) is looking for two 15–18-year-olds to act as Youth Advisors in June 2024.

May 2024 - THAT network online exhibition

THAT (Tower Hamlets Artist Teacher) network is proud to present its 2024 online exhibition, Encounters, following the 10 day live exhibition which showcased exceptional student artwork from across fourteen schools in Tower Hamlets.

Sep 2023 - Funding for new music project with Grand Union Orchestra, Sound Connections and Shoreditch Town Hall

Funding for new music project with Grand Union Orchestra, Sound Connections and Shoreditch Town Hall

Sep 2023 - Akram Khan Dance Programme in Tower Hamlets Schools

Akram Kahn Dance have created a film to capture the impact of its pioneering programme which works across 5 primary schools in Tower Hamlets. Funded by the Paul Hamlyn ‘Teacher’s Development Fund’, the 2 year programme works with teachers with the aim of embedding dance within the curriculum.

Jul 2023 - Lights Camera Score – new student films released

Lights Camera Score brings film, games and music into the classroom. Little People Big Noise developed it. Over the last four years, hundreds of students in Tower Hamlets have worked with professional musicians, storytellers, and filmmakers to create their own films and music.

Jul 2023 - Soundbox perform at the Young V&A opening festival

Soundbox, our all-ability inclusive music collective for young musicians, performed as part of The Young V&A opening festival on Sunday 9 July. Soundbox had a blast, performing in the newly renovated museum to audiences of around 300 people to rapturous applause.