WEMA - West of England Music and Arts

10/06/2026

The Electronic Eagles, one of the great bands at the WEMA Rock & Pop Centre at Chipping Sudbury, have passed another national milestone, after reaching the top 10 for The Young Song Writing Competition 2026!

The hotly contested competition, attracted nearly 1,000 high quality entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-22 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song. This is a huge achievement for the band, and WEMA is very proud to be a part of their creative journey.

If you want to catch the band performing their song 'British Weather', get along to Creative and Connected Live! on June 30th at Bristol Beacon.

Tickets available from the Bristol Beacon website.

To find out more about the song contest, visit: https://www.songacademy.co.uk/top-10-finalists-of-the-young-songwriter-2026-competition-are-revealed/

Our WEMA Music Centres host a wide number of ensembles for children of all ages and experience. Get more information at: https://wema.org.uk/music-hub/young-people-families/wema-music-centres/

Bristol Parent Arts Council England The Arts and Minds Campaign Bristol24/7
Bristol.Live Yate and Sodbury Voice BBC Bristol Bristol Music Live fans

Enter The Young Songwriter 2025 competition! Showcase your talent, gain exposure, and get expert feedback. Open for entries now—submit your song today!

08/06/2026

Want to hear the region's most exciting young talent do their thing? Join us at St George's Bristol on Tuesday 23rd June, 7pm, to do just that! The best choirs, bands and individual performers from across the West of England - tickets available here: https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/whats-on/west-of-england-music-and-arts-young-performers-concert-2/

06/06/2026

We welcomed 10 new guitarists to join our acoustic guitar ensemble at Little Stoke Music Centre this morning. Here they are, busy rehearsing! We hope you'll all join us again next week. To join one of our music centres go to wema.org.uk and book a free taster session

03/06/2026

Welcoming our new trumpet player at our wind band for adults in Bath tonight with a classic bit of Copland.

Meeting every Wednesday evening for an hour during term time as part of our music centre at Hayesfield School, this friendly bunch of players are keen for more people to enjoy this chance to play traditional band repertoire alongside some classic well known tunes. They also enjoyed a bit of Mambo number 5 tonight and Somewhere of the Rainbow…..just as one appeared over Bath!!

Come along to a free taster session to find out if it’s for you. All wind and brass players welcome and we’d love a percussionist and bass guitar or double bass! We’ll see you there at 6.45pm next week!

03/06/2026

SAVE THE DATE 🎶 On Tuesday 30 June, more than 200 young performers from across our region will take to the iconic Bristol Beacon stage for Creative & Connected Live! — a joyful evening of music, arts and togetherness.

Featured at the event will be our Music Centres' senior players' orchestra, jazz and concert bands, rock and pop groups, youth DJ sets, and the Music Explorers 100.

Families, supporters, friends and anyone who wants to celebrate young creative talent from North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and beyond are all welcome.

Tickets available via https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/creative-connected-live/

Bristol Beacon Bristol24/7 Bristol Parent Bath Voice The Bath and Wiltshire Parent Bristol.Live Arts Council England The Arts and Minds Campaign Arts Professional Cultural Learning Alliance

27/05/2026

Culture and arts education is not only about memorable one-off experiences. At its best, it also supports teachers, strengthens schools and leaves skills behind.

WEMA’s Cultural Education Hub research highlights the value of working alongside teachers and school staff, helping creative approaches become part of wider school life.

That is one reason why partnership matters. When schools, creative practitioners and cultural organisations work together over time, the benefits can continue beyond the life of a single project.

Read the research:
https://wema.org.uk/cultural-education-hub-research/

Education Guardian Cultural Learning Alliance The Arts and Minds Campaignaign National Society for Education in Art and Design Arts Professional Arts Council England Schools Week

25/05/2026

This week is UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week, a global moment to recognise the importance of culture and the arts in education.

And WEMA's own research into our Cultural Education Hub shows what that can look like in practice.

Over the past two years, more than 130 schools, 9,000 students, 300 teachers and 27 freelance creative practitioners have been involved in creative learning activity supported by £311,000 of investment over two years.

The research shows how strong local partnerships can widen access to arts and culture, support schools, develop the creative workforce and create lasting benefits for young people.

Read the research and the case studies showing the benefits of creative learning:
https://wema.org.uk/cultural-education-hub-research/

UNESCO Cultural Learning Alliance

22/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to announce that the Electronic Eagles from WEMA's Chipping Sodbury Rock and Pop Centre have got through to the Top 30 Songs of The Young Songwriter 2026 Competion with their song'British Weather'.
Why not join them and other like-minded groups on Wednesday evenings at Chipping Sodbury School. For more information go to wema.org.uk

19/05/2026

Music for families with autistic children in BANES, this half term!

Come along to sing and play instruments as a family, on 28th May 10.30-11.30am, at Midsomer Norton Library. Free and open to all families with autistic children, with or without diagnosis. Siblings and extended family welcome!

Run by WEMA in partnership with Specialist Autism Support Service

Turn up on the day, or book a place by emailing [email protected]

B&NES Parent Carer Forum Fosse Way School

18/05/2026

SEND creative music-making in Weston during half term!
Unscripted is a holiday music course for young people aged 8-13 with additional needs or barriers to learning (e.g. neurodivergence).

A 2-day fun and relaxed course where young people get together to explore musical instruments and technology and make their own music. No previous experience needed!

26th to 27th May, 10.30am to 3pm at Milton Park Primary School, Weston-super-Mare.

£30 for the 2-day course, with free places available if cost would stop you taking part.

Book here to guarantee a place! https://wema.org.uk/BookUnscripted

North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together Forum Super Culture North Somerset SENDCAS