News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

Wiltshire Music Centre welcomes the return of live audiences with a sparkling new season of concerts, including a selection of events and offers ideal for families.

Mini BSO are back with ‘Up In The Air’ which is set to be a high-flying afternoon full of games and music, whilst the ‘Kid-a-Quid’ offer is redeemable across a selection of concerts. For jazz-fusion band John Law’s Congregation, award-winning folk stars Còig (pictured above) and concert pianist Leon McCawley, up to two under-18s can attend for just £1 each with every full-price ticket to the same concert.

Alongside the new concert series, WMC has reopened for community use and continues to host a rich programme of learning and engagement activities for all ages. With baby and toddler groups, youth choirs and ensembles, and wellbeing activities for adults, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, don’t miss the Centre’s month-long (26 July-27 August) Summer Fun programme of activities for children aged 0-18yrs, including drama, dance, music making, crafting, concerts and more.

Wiltshire Music Centre looks forward to welcoming you and your family back for this season of outstanding live music.

Mini BSO

SUN 26 SEP 3PM
MINI BSO: UP IN THE AIR FAMILY SHOWA high-flying afternoon for all the family
Join Mini BSO for an afternoon of interactive games, fantastic music and great entertainment that will have you reaching for the skies. Featuring hits including 633 Squadron, Let’s Go Fly a Kite and Come Fly with Me as well as themes from Star Wars and Doctor Who, this fun-filled afternoon family concert is a great way to introduce children to classical music and the instruments of the orchestra in an entertaining and enjoyable way.

Tickets: £12 / £7 U18s + students (includes £2 booking fee) 

2PM PLAYSHOP Join the musicians and compose a brand-new piece to perform in the concert. Free to ticket holders / book early as places are limited.

Book Online: https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/mini-bso-air-family-show

John Law Congregation

SAT 23 OCT 7.30PM
JOHN LAW’S CONGREGATION (ALSO AVAILABLE TO LIVESTREAM) – CONFIGURATION Tour 2021

Captivating anthemic melodies and powerful rhythms, combined with subtle electronic soundscapes make for an appealing and kaleidoscopic fusion of jazz, rock, electronica and classical. John Law returns to WMC with his band Congregation to present music from their new album CONFIGURATION. Law’s compositions have been likened to film music in the way they conjure up powerful visual images and appeal to people with a wide variety of tastes.

Tickets: £18 / £10 U18s + students (includes £2 booking fee) £10 Virtual Ticket

Kid-a-Quid: up to two Under 18s pay £1 each with every full-price ticket
Buy This, Try This: buy a ticket for this event and enjoy Fofoulah for half price on November 6th

Livestream post-concert talk with the artists

Book Online: https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/john-laws-congregation-0

Fofoulah

SAT 6 NOV 7.30PM
FOFOULAH (ALSO AVAILABLE TO LIVESTREAM) – Electronic soundscapes meet West African rhythms

London-based afro-dub ensemble Fofoulah make their long-awaited WMC debut. Led by drummer Dave Smith, the band combines dub and jazz with flavours of West Africa to create a unique sound world that is both earthy and urban, futuristic and rooted. Propelled by the driving rhythms created by combining a traditional drum set with sabar beats from Senegal and Gambia, the soundscapes are overlaid with a myriad of vocal, instrumental and electronic sounds.

Tickets: £18 / £10 U18s + students £37 VIP Ticket (includes £2 booking fee) £10 Virtual Ticket 

VIP Ticket includes exclusive access to afternoon soundcheck, after show meet and greet, extended livestream access and EP download. Visit wiltshiremusic.org.uk for more information 

Buy This, Try This: enjoy this concert for half price if you have bought a ticket to John Law’s Congregation on October 23rd.

Book Online: https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/fofoulah-0

Leon McCawley

SAT 27 NOV 7.30PM
LEON MCCAWLEYThree late sonatas by three great composers 

MOZART Sonata in B flat K570 
HAYDN Sonata in E flat HXVI/52 
SCHUBERT Sonata in C minor D958

Sporting an air of rarefied elegance and probably intended for one of his pupils, Mozart’s penultimate piano sonata was composed in 1789 but only became known after his death when it was published posthumously. Haydn’s final Piano Sonata in E-flat major Hob. XVI/52 is widely considered to be one his greatest because of its expansive length and unique musical invention. Completed in September 1828 in the last months of Franz Schubert’s life, the Sonata in C minor D958 is a dark but compelling final testament to his love for the piano and its capacity to bring his musical ideas to life.

Tickets: £21 / £11.50 U18s + students (includes £2 booking fee) 

Kid-a-Quid: up to two Under 18s pay £1 each with every full-price ticket 

6.30pm pre-concert talk with Leon McCawley (free)
Buy Online: https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/leon-mccawley-0

Zone Club album launch

SAT 11 DEC 7.30PM

ZONE CLUB ALBUM LAUNCH (ALSO AVAILABLE TO LIVESTREAM) – Celebrating Creativity in Lockdown: a rocking evening of original songs and endless imagination 

Ever since the first lockdown in March 2020, Zone Club has been meeting online every month to support the creativity of learning-disabled young adults across Wiltshire. By contributing images, stories and lyric ideas, the participants and dedicated staff have been able to write a unique collection of songs that are as diverse as they are musically spectacular. Join us for the launch of their new CD, which is a defining record of all they have created and achieved in a year of social distancing and online participation.

Tickets: £5 / £5 Virtual Ticket

Buy Online: https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/zone-club-album-launch