Blog

South Asian Music Youth Ensemble

Brand-new South Asian Music Youth Ensemble starts in Solihull

Written by: | Posted on:

In partnership with Solihull Music, Sonia Sabri Company have launched a brand-new South Asian Music Youth Ensemble in Solihull which will rehearse weekly and work towards exciting performance opportunities!

Our South Asian Music Youth Ensemble will provide a unique opportunity for young people who play a South Asian instrument to spend time with other young musicians, have fun, make music, and perform together on a public platform. The ensemble will be a celebration of South Asian culture, giving our participants confidence in themselves, pride in their heritage and will open their eyes to future creative careers.

We are looking for young vocalists as well as tabla, sitar, dilruba, bansuri and harmonium players to join us for this exciting opportunity! We’re also interested to hear from young people trained in Western traditions who are interested in exploring South Asian music with their chosen instrument. The ensemble is free is open to children and young people aged 10 - 18 who have been learning their instrument or vocals for at least a year. Pupils do not need to live or go to school in Solihull to attend, so young people from Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire are welcome to join us!

The ensemble will be led by SSCo Associate Artist, Gulfam Sabri. Gulfam Sabri is an internationally acclaimed Sufiana and Ghazal vocalist from New Delhi, India. Gulfam is also a skilled santoor, harmonium and tabla player. Gulfam has performed widely across the US, Europe, Africa, Australia, South-East Asia, and India, collaborating with musicians from both Eastern and Western traditions in both the music and theatre industries. Committed to musical education, Gulfam has taught in schools, Universities, and conservatoires in the UK and internationally.

This is a brilliant opportunity to build on and enhance a young musician’s tuition by learning how to play with others in a group. The ensemble will have the opportunity to play both Indian classical and folk music, as well as SSCo original compositions and songs from Bollywood. As well as learning set pieces and developing performance skills, Gulfam will use a range of approaches to get the participants playing as a group and deepen their understanding the key ‘building blocks’ of South Asian music. Participants will be able to try out other instruments as well as build on their improvisational skills .

Through long-term, consistent access to musical guidance, mentorship and performance opportunities, alongside a supportive community, we believe we can enhance the lives of participants and their families and nurture the next generation of South Asian musicians.

Location: The Core Theatre, Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG 
Date/Time: Wednesdays 6.20-7.50pm. 
Suitable for: Pupils aged 10 - 18 who have been learning an instrument or vocals for at least a year.
Pupils do not need to live or go to school in Solihull to attend.
Cost: FREE!
How to sign-up: Click here to Register

Supported by Arts Council England and Heart of England Music

photo credit- Maria Polodeanu