Project Highlights Autumn Term 2025 and What's Coming Up this Spring

Project Highlights Autumn Term 2025

New Bengali Instrumental Resources
We launched a unique set of Bengali instrumental resources in partnership with Sohini Alam and Olly Weeks from British-Bengali band Khiyo. Initially being introduced in instrumental lessons by THAMES tutors, these resources will be available more widely in due course.

Drama and Creative Play
Half Moon Theatre delivered their 'Creative Play' project at Isle of Dogs and John Smith’s Family Centres, engaging 20 families in imaginative sessions using drama, movement, and music. These weekly workshops supported early childhood development and emotional growth, while encouraging families to extend creative learning at home. Schools near these centres can contact Half Moon for more information about opportunities for pre-school age children. Photo above.

Careers in Theatre
Half Moon also ran their 'Careers in Theatre' programme, giving over 170 secondary school students a hands-on introduction to the professional theatre industry. Working alongside industry experts, students explored artistic and technical aspects of theatre-making, gaining invaluable insight into the world behind the stage. Photo below.

Spitalfields Music Singing Projects
From a whole-year singing project at Swanlea School to the 'Primary Big Sing' at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, Spitalfields Music brought hundreds of children together for vocal performances.

Dance with Akram Khan Company
Primary pupils enjoyed dance workshops inspired by Akram Khan Company’s acclaimed production 'Chotto Desh'. Exploring themes of home, identity, and belonging, these sessions culminated in a special invitation for participants and their families to attend the performance at Sadlers Wells East.

Arabic Music Assemblies and Workshops
Global Music Academy introduced pupils to the rich sounds of the Arabic-speaking world, with live demonstrations of the oud, ney, percussion, and singing, plus hands-on darbuka workshops.

War Requiem Performance
Students from George Green’s and St Paul’s Way Trust secondary schools took part in a very special performance of Benjamin Britten’s 'War Requiem' at Southwark Cathedral, presented by Sizewell Creative and Outcry Ensemble. A Youtube video about this is linked below.

Special Schools Collaborations
English Touring Opera, London Symphony Orchestra, and Conductive Music delivered bespoke projects for special schools, ensuring inclusive access to high-quality music experiences. Watch this video to see how pupils at Phoenix School contributed towards the making of English Touring Opera's new opera Little Terror.

Singing Programmes Across Schools
VOCES8 Foundation, St Paul’s Cathedral, and London Youth Choirs led vibrant singing programmes in primary and secondary schools.

What's Coming Up this Spring:

We’re excited to share a fantastic line-up of music and arts projects starting across Tower Hamlets schools this term and running into the summer term:

Water Songs: from Bangladesh to the Thames - A primary singing project with World Heart Beat and Khiyo, exploring river-inspired folk traditions from Bangladesh alongside East London’s maritime heritage through song.

Positive Change Choir – London Youth Choirs will lead workshops in five secondary schools, boosting choir engagement and confidence through singing.

Young Event Producers (YEP) Project – World Heart Beat pilots a scheme for GCSE students to learn about event planning and leadership, culminating in a youth-led performance at Trinity Buoy Wharf.

English Touring Opera – ETO returns with a six-week lyric-writing project with students from London East Alternative Provision.

Education & Bass – Secondary students will co-create original music exploring identity, using technology, vocals, and instruments.

Lights Camera Score – Little People Big Noise will work with students to compose and record a score for a new animated short film.

East London Music Group – ELMG will work with three primary schools to launch instrumental ensembles, culminating with a joint performance featuring Colombian harpist Diego Laverde Rojas.

London Symphony Orchestra – Young musicians join LSO for Playing Days and an orchestral project, culminating in a Trafalgar Square performance this summer.

Flip the Script - Rich Mix are busy this term delivering in-school workshops covering all aspects of film making. 8 primary schools are involved in this year-long film education programme.

Moving Stories – over the next 2 academic years, Akram Khan Company will be working with 2 primary classes and their teachers providing access to training, workshops and performances. ‘Moving Stories’ supports teachers to develop their own skill set around delivering high quality, cross curricula dance sessions.