Berkshire Music Trust launches Summer of Sound 2026
Get ready for a summer full of sound, creativity and fun! Whether you love singing, playing an instrument, making beats or trying something completely new, we’ve got something for you.
Click here to view our Summer Brochure
Activities include:
Creative Music & Jazz Course
A Jazz course for students wanting to explore Jazz, improvising and creative approaches to music making. From improvisation to creating a fantastic social space for young musicians to learn creative music making, this course will be a fantastic opportunity for any young musician.
Welcoming all players of Grade 3+, we welcome applications from all instruments. If multiple instruments apply, we’ll work with applicants on a first-come first-served basis.
Date: 4th, 5th & 6th August 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Reading Music Centre
Cost: £120 (bursaries available)
Soundstage Reading (Beginners)
Soundstage is our band programme for young people, for guitarists, bass guitarists, keyboardists, singers and drummers.
In our beginner course, we welcome any student who hasn’t played in a band before. They may also have only had a few terms of lessons or are self-taught. Students will explore the basics of playing together in a band, explore suitable beginner songs, and will be able to record at least one song by the end of the two days.
Date: 10th & 11th August 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Reading Music Centre
Cost: £75 (bursaries available)
Soundstage Reading (Intermediate/Advanced)
Soundstage is our band programme for young people, for guitarists, bass guitarists, keyboardists, singers and drummers.
Our intermediate/advanced course is suitable for those already playing in a band, have typically been playing for over a year and have had some tuition. They will be confident jumping in and playing along with others, and exploring creative music making with their peers.
Date: 13th & 14th August 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Reading Music Centre
Cost: £75 (bursaries available)
Soundstage Maidenhead (Intermediate/Advanced)
Soundstage is our band programme for young people, for guitarists, bass guitarists, keyboardists, singers and drummers.
Our intermediate/advanced course is suitable for those already playing in a band, have typically been playing for over a year and have had some tuition. They will be confident jumping in and playing along with others, and exploring creative music making with their peers.
Date: 17th & 18th August 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Space To Thrive Community Music Centre (Maidenhead)
Cost: £75 (bursaries available)
Grade 5 Music Theory
Young people of secondary school age* who need to pass Grade 5 Music Theory ahead of their Grade 6+ practical, or students wanting to enhance their theoretical knowledge in preparation for GCSE Music. Students enrolling for this course must be at least Grade 3 standard on their chosen instrument/voice. The course is open to all students, including those who are not students of Berkshire Music Trust.
* Children in years 5 and 6 will be accepted onto the course at the discretion of their instrumental teacher.
Date: 25th to 27th August 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Location: Reading Music Centre
Cost: £263
Thatcham Children’s Scratch Orchestra
A fun, creative orchestra experience with an Under The Sea theme!
This course is for beginner instrumentalists, followed by a performance at Kids Fest in Thatcham on 27th August.
Date: 26th and 27th August 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Location: Burdwood Community Hall
Cost: FREE with thanks to Thatcham Town Council and Greenham Trust
DJ Workshops – Thatcham/Newbury, Reading and Maidenhead
Run by the brilliant team from Sync‑Quest, these hands‑on summer workshops give you the chance to learn how to mix, blend and shape tracks the way real DJs do. You’ll get stuck into proper DJ techniques, try out professional equipment, and learn how to create smooth transitions, build a set, and keep the energy flowing.
Whether you’re curious about DJing or already experimenting at home, you’re welcome to join. The sessions are relaxed, supportive and all about discovering what you can do with music when you’re behind the decks.
Open to all secondary‑age young people (11–18).
Places are limited to just 10, so if you want a spot, make sure you grab one soon.
THATCHAM/NEWBURY
Date: 10th August 2026
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Moorside Community Centre, Thatcham
Cost: £40 (bursaries available)
READING
Date: 13th August 2026
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Reading Music Centre
Cost: £40 (bursaries available)
MAIDENHEAD
Date: 18th August 2026
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Space To Thrive Community Music Centre, Maidenhead
Cost: £40 (bursaries available)
Mini Maestros Summer Sessions
Live interactive music session with singing, dancing and real musical instruments!
Only £4.00 per child (children must be accompanied by one adult. To book additional adult spaces, please contact emilygiddens@berksmusictrust.org.uk
Date: 28th July 2026
Location: Reading Music Centre
Session 1 (2-4 year olds) will take place 9.30am to 10.15am.
Session 2 (5-7 year olds) will take place 10.30am to 11.15am.
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