Education
Budleigh Music Festival Education Department was established in 2022 to bring classical music to a younger audience. We contacted local schools, introduced the Festival to teachers, assessed local music provision and accessibility to cultural events and used our findings to develop a strategy.
Budleigh Music Festival now provides specialised workshops in schools led by professional music leaders, performance opportunities at Festival events, day-time events including a concert for a schools-only audience, free tickets for school groups, and Continuing Professional Development support for teachers.
We have established a strong choral singing programme, inspired by our patron Bob Chilcott, and bring young singers from across the region to perform at our Community Choral Day each year.
We aim to break down barriers to participation in classical music by ensuring that our events are accessible, with some events British Sign Language interpreted, and by programming a Relaxed Concert for those who need a more informal setting.
We currently have partnerships with 26 local schools. If you are a teacher or music leader and would like to get involved and participate in Festival events then please contact [email protected]
Outreach
Budleigh Salterton is a small seaside town in Devon and the local population is mixed but nearly half are aged over 65 (2021 census). We strive to ensure that Budleigh Music Festival contributes to the well-being of our local community. We partner with local charities working with adults with learning difficulties and those with dementia, support groups for the elderly, lonely and bereaved and care home residents.
Each year we programme events aimed at providing joyful and meaningful experiences for these marginalised groups. In 2023 we hosted our first ever Tea Dance, offering free tickets to those who rarely get a chance to hear live music, and working with local charity Launchpad to provide afternoon tea. In 2024 gypsy jazz band La Vie En Rose joined us for Tea and Tunes, aimed at older members of our community. For 2025 a Relaxed Concert, facilitated by Zum Roten Igel, which will give those with special needs and dementia a relaxed environment in which to enjoy live music, and once again we welcome La Vie en Rose.
