NOTES for NOTES

The summer holidays seem like a distant memory, but we would like to celebrate some of the highlights since our last newsletter. The BYMT music tour in July was a resounding success, showcasing the exceptional talents of young musicians from Bromley Youth Concert Band and Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra. These gifted individuals enthralled audiences, performing to packed venues in Prague and its neighbouring regions. Members of Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra (BYCO) also shared the stage with internationally renowned musicians on 10 October as part of the Rotary Gala Concert.  

The eleventh successful year of the BYMT Musical Theatre Summer School, run by a West End Director, Vocal Coach & choreographer, culminated in scintillating performances showcasing hits from the West End and Broadway musicals. Well done to all those who took part. We look forward to more exciting Musical Theatre productions throughout this coming academic year!  

Inspire Concerts - BYMT Inspire Band 2025 captivated hundreds of children through a series of exhilarating concerts at the start of term. These performances were not just musical events; they served as a platform for former students of BYMT to motivate and encourage the younger generation.  

Over 120 families joined us at BYMT in early September for our vibrant Try an Instrument Day, where children and parents explored a wide variety of musical instruments, from strings and brass to woodwind and percussion. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as young participants discovered new sounds, sparked musical curiosity, and even found their potential future instrument! The event was made possible thanks to the incredible support of our dedicated teachers and enthusiastic student volunteers, who guided families through hands-on experiences and answered questions with passion and expertise. It was a joyful celebration of musical discovery and community spirit, and we can’t wait to welcome even more budding musicians' next time!  

The BYMT Autumn Sounds in October half term had courses in Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Keyboards, Piano & Ukulele for children in school years 3-7 on the start of their musical journey and for those who are already playing.  

Thank you for your support - BYMT’s mission is to offer these activities to all young people, and we can only do this with your support. Thank you so much to the BYMT Patrons, Alumni, Friends and Families who support us. Last year we delivered 7,280 free instrumental/vocal lessons and provided free instruments and access to BYMT ensembles via the BYMT Young Musicians’ Bursary. The need for support is only increasing. Our target for this year is £80,000 to be able to cover these costs.   

Can you help further our mission? At BYMT we are passionate about lifelong participation and enjoyment of music and know how important it is for both creating a community as well as supporting mental health and wellbeing. Every donation you make to BYMT goes to the Young Musicians’ Bursary Fund helping to make music accessible to all young people. We are grateful to you for any donation, big or small.  A monthly donation of £30 will pay for a whole year’s music lessons for one of our Bursary students.  

Thank you from all of us at BYMT for your support.  

Music Changes Lives – Together Let’s Change More!

Links:

• BYMT Website
• BYMT Music Changes Lives on GlobalGiving
• BYMT Groups 2025

As we begin the summer holidays, we must thank all the Bromley Youth Music Trust (BYMT) staff and the wonderful teachers in Bromley Schools who make Bromley such a thriving centre of music making. Once again, the performance opportunities have been vast and include collaborations with the St Georges’ Arts Festival which takes place in Beckenham every year and The Churchill Theatre in Bromley; the Southeast London Music Hub (SELMH) performances at Crystal Palace (part of the Festival Republic Events) and a Workshop with Linkin Park, alongside all of the regular BYMT events and numerous outstanding concerts and shows across Bromley Schools. 

The Annual BYMT Garden Party was once again a memorable day with 21 performances from over 700 musicians and 8 hours of superb music. This was a true community event and a fantastic opportunity to welcome back nearly 100 BYMT Alumni who not only took part as musicians in the Alumni Strings Orchestra and the Alumni Wind Band performances, but also volunteered and supported the event during the day, helping to raise almost £2,500 for the Young Musicians’ Bursary Fund.  

The summer term got off to a great start with 5 fantastic, sold-out performances of ‘Annie, The Musical’ by BYMT’s Musical Theatre groups and continued at pace with the Minting Cup and Young Singer of the Year finals, Try an Instrument days in two separate venues and Music Exams for over 350 children who took their music exam grades over a period of 4 weeks. Once again, the term and school year finished with a flourish with the ever popular BYMT Rock School performance and the Musical Theatre Cabaret Evening with audiences at full capacity, whilst the Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra and Bromley Youth Concert Band set off for their annual tour, this year to Prague. 

Thank you for your donations to BYMT via GlobalGiving - all donations received here go to the BYMT Young Musicians' Bursary Fund which supports young people learning music who wouldn’t be able to have the joy of making music without financial help. 

For more information on BYMT, please take a look at the BYMT Music Changes Lives Project on GlobalGiving and see BYMT's Impact in Numbers Report - see linnk below  

Links:

• BYMT Website
• BYMT Groups 2025
• BYMT Music Changes Lives Project on GlobalGiving

• July 2025 - SELMH - Crystal Palace, London (PDF)