Hackney Music Service Gala 2026
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
Concert Programme
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1. Classical Meets Jazz – Diversity Ensemble
‘Buena Rola’
Led by Andy Grappy
Music leaders: Mamadou Sarr, Omar Puente, Shaun Thompson (LSO), Tom Hewins, Weiwei Fraser -
2. Cardinal Pole Steel Pans
‘I Can See Clearly Now’ Jimmy Cliff
‘Siyahamba’ Zulu Freedom Song,
‘Sorry’ Justin BieberArr. & Led by Kerry Cumberbatch:
Music Lead: Rosanna McElroy -
3. St Scholastica’s Primary School
‘Folklore by Aaron Sevilla’
Performed by St Scholastica’s Dancers, Choreography by Dorinia Harley
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4. Woodberry Down Primary School
‘Cassa’
Music Leads: Mamadou Sarr, Siemy Di
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5. The Urswick School
‘The Perfect pair, From the Start’
(Mash-uo) by Laufey & Beabadoobee
Arr. Urswick Students
Music Lead: Michael Woodward -
6. The Bridge Academy
‘If You Had My Love/You Rock My World’, Mash up by & Lopez & Jackson
Performed by Year 13 Band
Arr. Bridge Students, Music Lead: Kathryn Judd
Music Team: Donnacha Mullaghy, Laura Varas, Miranda Hoenkir -
7. Hackney Borough Youth Choir
‘Man I Need, by Olivia Dean’
Performed by Junior Choir & Senior Vox Ensemble
Choir Leads: Callum Crowley, Katie Lynn -
8. Massed Primary Singing
‘There’s a River / Wonderwall Medley’
Performed by the Hackney Borough Youth Choir with special guests from Berger & Gainsborough Primary Schools
Arr. Ty Lowe
INTERVAL
Mayor’s Music Awards 2025-26
We are delighted to be back at the Hackney Empire to present the annual Hackney Mayor’s Music Awards (MMA) 2025–26. The MMA was established in 2013 by the Mayor of Hackney to provide recognition and assistance to some of Hackney’s brightest musical talent.
Award categories include: Pupil Award for Musical Achievement; Instrument Fund for Ensemble Development; Excellence in Music Education Practice and two Geoff Taylor SEND awards – one for a Special Music Project and a Pupil Bursary.
The panel commends and congratulates all schools for their dedication and passion for inclusive practice through music and was impressed with the range and diversity of music making taking place in Hackney’s schools.
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9. HCJE/HTO/HBYO
‘Pictures at an Exhibition’, Mussorgsky /‘Turkish Bath’ Ron Myers
Conductor: Lawrence Tatnall Ensemble
Leads: Alex Dmochowski; Ginny Strawson, Vahan Salorian, Weiwei Fraser Dave Blackmore, Kobe Ngugi, Mamadou Sarr -
10. Mossbourne Community Academy
‘Dream on’’ - Aerosmith
Performed by MCA Senior Band
Music Team: Ellie Ritchie, Fleur Noble,
Pranay Chan, Tom Goodger -
11. Clapton Girls Academy
‘Hanging on the Telephone’ by Blondie
Music Lead: Andy Gustard
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12. The Excelsior Academy, Haggerston School and Waterside Academy
‘Rescue Me’ - by Fontella Bass
Music Team: Donnacha Mullaghy,
Laura Varas, Miranda Hoenkirk -
13. The City Academy, Hackney
‘This is England’ by Kano
The City Academy BHM Ensemble
Ens. Lead: Steffan Gill
Music Lead: Liz Jones -
14. Stoke Newington School
‘We Will Rock You’ Medley, by QueenMusic Team: Amy Foden, Ben Moore,
James Finn, Kyle Berry, Lucy Bryant, Stephanie Zupan
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.