Music groups perform at opening of new music centre at Maidenhead school

Community music groups from across the area performed at the official opening of a new music centre at Newlands Girls’ School on Saturday, January 10. 

The school in Farm Road has been chosen as the base for the new Maidenhead Space to Thrive, which has been established through a partnership between the Berkshire Music Trust (BMT) and Slough Music Service.

The official opening kicked off with a performance by BMT’s Initial and Let’s Play Bands and was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the music block, led by Royal Borough deputy mayor Cllr Sian Martin.

The event featured a programme of entertainment and hands-on musical activities.

This included a live performance by the Slough Youth Orchestra.

Guests also enjoyed entertainment from Tankata Percussion and the Newlands Swing Band.

There were several workshops available, including Scratch Choir, DJing and have-a-go instrument sessions with a range of instruments available to try.

The new centre has been formed to ‘make music accessible to everyone’ and features a programme that ‘reflects the voices, interests and needs of the Maidenhead community’, organisers said.

Speaking at the event, BMT CEO Dawn Wren and head of Slough Music Service Rebecca Richardson shared the vision behind bringing more musical opportunities and lessons to people of all ages across the area.

Ms Wren said: “It kind of morphed out of us wanting to work more closely together but also have a base here in Maidenhead.”

Ms Richardson added: “[It is] to create more opportunities for young people, children, adults and the community in Slough and across Berkshire, and also intergenerational work.

“We think it’s really important to work with the older community across Berkshire and this would be the perfect opportunity through lovely activities like drumming, singing – all the things that give you a wholesome, warm feeling.”

Ms Wren added: “Even if you haven’t done anything with music before, you can access it, try it out [and] see if it is for you.”

Ms Richardson also discussed the importance of music for wellbeing and tackling loneliness.

The centre will offer activities including DJ workshops, chill jam sessions for teenagers, monthly global music nights, intergenerational jam sessions, community drumming workshops and a community jazz collective.

Specialist sessions supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are also taking place.

There will also be music-for-mental-health initiatives, created to promote confidence, connection and creativity.

Newlands Girls’ School headteacher Jo Capon, said: “It’s fantastic.

“We’re really just delighted to be part of this and delighted to be hosting this here.”

“I think it’s fantastic for the community, it’s fantastic for the school.”

Chris Beach, head of music at Newlands Girls’ School, said: “We’re growing as a department, lots of new opportunities going on inside school, and now we’re able to expand on that and work with Berkshire Music Trust and put together this project which we’re really excited about.”

For more information and to view the timetable for January, visit: https://bookwhen.com/spacetothrive#focus=ev-sod5w-20260110100000