Welcome
This year marks the start of a year of celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the Hackney Music Service.
It’s hard to think of a more fitting way to kick off the celebrations than by showcasing the achievements of some of Hackney’s musically gifted and talented young people. With 400 young musicians performing, tonight’s concert features a diverse range of ensembles including bands, choirs and instrumental groups, steel pans and west African dance, our Classical Meets Jazz diversity ensemble, run in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra, and our Creative Jazz Ensemble.
Music in our schools is also acknowledged and celebrated through the Hackney Mayor’s Music Awards (MMA), and we are delighted to have the support of Mayor Caroline Woodley in continuing the MMA programme.
Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoy the concert.
James Thomas, Head of Music Service
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney
Download the Programme – Hackney music Service Gala 2026
Concert Programme
Acknowledgements
This evening would not have been possible without the help and support of many others.
Thank you to all our headteachers, heads of music and class teachers for your continued support and commitment to music, and to our instrumental and vocal tutors for your dedication and hard work with Hackney’s young people throughout the year. Without your passion, subject knowledge and expertise, this event would not have been possible.
Our gratitude goes to the Hackney Empire for all their support during the day and to the excellent technical team for their flexibility. We are grateful to Mayor Caroline Woodley for her support through the Mayor’s Music Awards, and to the MMA panel for their contribution and who had the unenviable task of assessing the applications.
Thanks to all our Hackney Education colleagues for your support, and to the incredibly hard-working Music Service team: Emilia Crawford, Kelvin Ghann, Dorinia Harley, Ria Moran and Xanthe Sarr for your energy and dedication to changing lives through music and dance, and to the HMS technical and production team: Justin Infante, Aran Thomas, Vahan Salorian and Zack Woolfson, and to our ensemble & choir pastoral leads: Susan Brown & Hayley Thomas.
Finally, to all our wonderfully talented young musicians, an enormous thank you for your brilliance this evening, and to the many parents and carers for your continued support and interest in the musical development of your children.
Make a donation and support Hackney’s young musicians.
Contact the Hackney Music Service
on 020 3076 1534 or at musicservice@hackney.gov.uk
