Live music and performance opportunities
Live music brings learning to life. Performing helps children build confidence, resilience and teamwork, while inspiring a lifelong love of music. We offer a range of events, in‑school experiences and performance support for schools across the county.
- Experience The Snowman with the Essex Youth Orchestra
- Vocal Festivals and Orchestral Workshop Days
- Saffron Music Live
- Musical Mondays
- Performance opportunities for students
- Performance support for schools
- Instrument and equipment hire
Experience The Snowman with the Essex Youth Orchestra!
Schools are invited to enjoy a special performance of The Snowman, with the Essex Youth Orchestra performing Howard Blake’s iconic soundtrack live alongside a screening of the film. Pupils will discover how music brings stories to life, and school choirs can take part in evening performances of Walking in the Air and festive favourites.
School performances:
- 30 November – Charter Hall, Colchester: Primary 12pm–1pm, Secondary 2.30pm–3.30pm
- 2 December – Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden: Primary and Secondary performance (time TBC)
- 3 December – Brentwood Centre, Brentwood: Primary 12pm–1pm, Secondary 2.30pm–3.30pm
To register your school to watch a performance of The Snowman please complete this form.
Choir opportunity: Rehearsal 4.30pm–5.30pm, followed by an evening performance from 6.30pm–7.30pm.
To register your school choir for the performance opportunity please complete this form.
Attendance and choir participation are free for Essex DfE-funded schools, with classroom resources provided to support learning. Schools are responsible for transport costs.
Vocal Festivals and Orchestral Workshop Days
Why not give your pupils an opportunity to perform outside of school? Sign up for one of our vocal festivals and make 2027 the year of singing!
- Braintree Vocal Festival 2027
- Tendring Vocal Festival 2027
- Brentwood Vocal Festival 2027
- Upbeat Orchestral Day Expression of Interest 2026 -2027
Saffron Music Live
In-schools – Saffron Music Live brings an exciting and diverse range of musicians directly to primary schools across Essex. These interactive performances last 45–60 minutes, with programmes available for both Key Stages 1 and 2.
Performances are designed to take place in your school hall, or an equivalent space, and can accommodate whole year groups or key stages, depending on your available space. There is a £100 fee per performance.
In venues near you – Saffron Music Live are also delivering a range of performances in venues across the county which are FREE for Essex, Thurrock and Southend DfE funded schools.
Musical Mondays
Live online concerts for primary and special schools
Bring inspiring live music straight into your school with Musical Mondays, a series of FREE interactive online concerts delivered by Live Music Now in partnership with Greater Essex Music Hub.
These lively, accessible concerts feature world‑class professional musicians from a wide range of genres and backgrounds – designed to engage, inspire and educate pupils of all abilities.
Why take part?
- Live and interactive – pupils can say hello, chat and ask questions during the Q&A.
- High‑quality musicians – professional performers with experience working in schools.
- Safe and simple to access – streamed via Zoom Webinar, (only the musicians and Live Music Now host appear on screen).
- Inclusive and engaging – suitable for primary and special schools. Children watching at home are encouraged to view with a parent or carer where possible.
- Flexible viewing – recordings available for one month after each live concert.
Dates this year – mainstream:
Oct 12, 2026 1.15pm to 2pm
Dec 7, 2026 1.15pm to 2pm
Jan 25, 2027 13:1.15pm to 2pm
Mar 15, 2027 1.15pm to 2pm
Apr 26, 2027 1.15pm to 2pm
Jun 28, 2027 1.15pm to 2pm
Details to sign up available shortly.
Dates this year – SEND:
Nov 23, 2026 2pm to 2.45pm
Mar 1, 2027 2pm to 2.45pm
Jun 14, 2027 2pm to 2.45pm
Details to sign up available shortly.
Performance opportunities for your students
Give your pupils the chance to perform, collaborate and shine.
We provide and partner on a wide range of performance events, including:
- Vocal festivals
- Music showcase events
- Large‑group instrumental playing days
(you bring the students – we provide the music) - Opportunities for school choirs to perform alongside the County Youth Orchestra
Performance support for schools
Everything you need to stage a successful school performance. Whether it’s a concert, show or community event, we can support you with:
- Event planning and preparation
- Performer coaching and rehearsal support
- Sound and technical support
- Instrument and equipment hire
Available equipment includes:
- Sound systems
- Radio mics
- Performance instruments
Pricing – Support packages and hire costs available on request
Instrument and equipment hire
Support performances, ensembles and events.
Hire instruments and music technology equipment for concerts, performances or curriculum delivery.
- Music technology equipment
- Instruments
- Sound systems
- Radio mics
We also have a comprehensive suite of instruments and equipment available to hire, including SEND and inclusive instruments and equipment.