We’re picking up good vibrations

We’re definitely picking up some ‘good vibrations’ in Essex as part of our latest project! 

We are collaborating with Orchestras Live, Greater Essex Music Service and Lexden Primary School to deliver the Vibrations project this term. This will see D/deaf children from four schools in Colchester and Chelmsford (Philip Morant School and College, Lexden Primary School, Great Baddow High School and Mildmay Primary School) exploring a range of creative activities in order to create their own original pieces of music, to be performed alongside members of the Sinfonia Viva orchestra. 

Working with music leaders James Redwood and Ruth Montgomery, violist Isobel Adams, and members of the Sinfonia Viva creative learning team, children will take part in a taster session and two creative music workshops. Here they will explore new musical ideas, work collaboratively with staff and other students, and have fun developing their new pieces. 

All four schools will come together in November for two very special culmination performances at Christ Church United Reformed Church in Chelmsford, where local schools, friends and family will be invited to hear the fruits of the students’ hard work. They will perform with a 14-piece orchestra from Sinfonia Viva, and the programme will include a mixture of brand new music and existing works.  

Following the performances, our creative team will come together to create a set of resources, including audio tracks and BSL-interpreted videos, that will ensure the continued legacy of the project and help a wider network of schools to better facilitate high-quality music education for their D/deaf students.  

We are really excited to be working on this project and can’t wait to share more with you throughout this journey! If you would like further information about Essex Vibrations, or to find out more about how Sinfonia Viva can work with your community or organisations, please get in touch. 

Natalie Edwards, September 2025