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SoundLab

SoundLab is RBC's music for social change programme for 11-18 year olds. Participants improve self-confidence, build resilience, connect with others and develop their self-expression and musical identity. SoundLab supports young people with real and perceived barriers to engagement. The youth-led centres create a welcoming & nurturing community for young people passionate about creating and performing original music with others.

SoundLab students performing onstage

SoundLab-Brum's Central Sessions are held weekly in RBC’s studios, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues, and engage 40 young musicians after school. Throughout the academic year, participants (known as “SoundLabbers”) benefit from hands-on developmental workshops, full ensemble sessions, and direct musical guidance from seasoned industry professionals supported by RBC students. Regular performance opportunities include showcases at RBC, collaborations with SoundLab-Cov, and outdoor festivals across the region.

Generously supported by Signatur, the programme for the advancement of the art of music, part of KJCF. Our shared aims ensure we are especially committed to young people with limited access to music education in their schools and communities. To keep SoundLab accessible, our programme is free to attend, and we provide safe, free travel to ensure all members can attend and participate.

Beyond our Central Sessions, SoundLab partners with schools and communities throughout the city to support music education. Our Ensemble Development initiative empowers school staff to lead dynamic extra-curricular ensembles, offering tools for original composition and non-genre-specific arranging. This ongoing support extends to appearances in the SoundLab performance calendar, giving all students a chance to showcase their music.

SoundLab also invests in the future of music leadership. Through our Leadership Training Scheme, RBC students and early-career practitioners (aged 18-25) develop essential skills by working alongside experienced tutors, learning how to plan sessions, support ensembles, and promote music for social and emotional wellbeing. With connections to industry partners in the region, we’re helping create pathways to employment in the creative sector for RBC graduates and associates alike.

Some performance highlights include:

In 2018, RBC began SoundLab COV as the very first SoundLab Centre delivered in partnership with Coventry Music, Coventry City Council and Positive Youth Foundation. After a development stage from November 2017, SoundLab COV opened in April 2018 and was officially launched on the 10th July 2019 by Julian Lloyd Webber with guest musicians and Coventry legends Neville Staple and Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple. From 2023 the running of the centre was taken on by Coventry Music. SoundLab-Stockholm was launched in 2024 as a spin-out from the music education research department at KMH Royal Conservatoire of Stockholm.

For more information about SoundLab or to invite a young person to join, visit the SoundLab website or email soundLab@bcu.ac.uk. You can follow our activities on social media @RBCSoundLab.

SoundLab trailer

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SoundLab

SoundLab BRUM is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s centre for creative music-making for 11-18 year olds from across the city. Open to instrumentalists & vocalists at any level of ability, SoundLab’s aim is to create a welcoming & nurturing community for young people passionate about creating and performing original music.

Find out more

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BCU Beats and BCU Voices are two free, non-auditioned music sessions for all staff and students from across the University. Funded by the Vice Chancellor of the University, they are a fun and friendly space for you to try out new musical skills, destress at the end of the day and improve your health and wellbeing.

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