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Welcome to the official blog for the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala!
Check back for regular monthly posts about the Hertfordshire Schools' Gala 2025, with lots of exciting behind the scenes content, information, and updates.
March 2025
The Gala is nearly here … we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Royal Albert Hall for what promises to be an extremely special 30th anniversary celebration of music making in Hertfordshire.
Conductor Rufus Frowde shares an invaluable insight into the artistic process of the Hertfordshire Schools' Gala, how he overcomes the technical challenges of performing in a large venue with a wide array of performers, and reflects on his musical involvement in the Gala since its infancy.
Thank you to everyone involved – the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala is going to be amazing! Keep an eye on HMS social media channels for updates throughout the day.
See you tomorrow!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
RAHGala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
February 2025
There is now just under a month to go until the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala!
The HMS team are working hard behind the scenes in preparation for our two concerts at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. We are so excited to see everyone for our special 30th celebration event next month.
We hope rehearsals are going well in school and can’t wait to hear everything come together at the massed rehearsals and on the day!
Hertfordshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra rehearsals!
The Hertfordshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra had two days of rehearsals in half term practice all the music they’ll be playing in the Gala… we can’t wait for everyone to hear how spectacular the orchestra sounds.
HSSO also had their first play through of a specially commissioned piece of music, composed by HMS alumni Billie Reason. We won’t spoil too much before the big day but expect lots of digital sounds blended with music played live by our young musicians – it’s not one to be missed!
Want to hear the music live and be part of the action? Join us at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 23rd March – tickets are still available to purchase for both concerts! (Details below)
Gala Songwriter – recording project at West Herts College
Over half term we were delighted to have been able to collaborate with West Herts College in providing a professional recording opportunity for some of our entrants of the Gala 2025 Songwriting Competition.
Participants had the opportunity to expand their recording experience and skills whilst working collaboratively with students and staff from West Herts College and members of the Hertfordshire Music Service team.
Now that the songs have been recorded, the process of mixing and mastering each of the tracks begins. We look forward to being able to share the final versions of the songs once they are released.
“This type of experience is hugely valuable to young songwriters, bands, and artists, and the setting of a professional live room and recording studio, with engineers and producers on hand gives a big step up in opportunity from the home recording experience that our participants are used to.”
Sean Law, Head of Musical Progression at Hertfordshire Music Service
You can hear the winning track, ‘Burden’, performed by Isabelle in our evening Gala performance.
Tickets for the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala
More tickets have been released and are available to purchase for both the afternoon and evening performances of the Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala through Eventbrite and the Royal Albert Hall Box Office.
Ticket prices range from £15 - £42.50.
A small number of return member seats are now also available to purchase online from Hertfordshire Music Service.
Head back to this page for next month’s final Gala blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
RAHGala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
January 2025
Welcome to 2025!
HMS can’t wait for the special 30th anniversary celebration of the Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala this March … and we’re officially now less than 2 months away!
The team are working hard behind the scenes in preparation for our exciting event at the Royal Albert Hall. From seating and stage plans, coordinating rehearsals for the HMS Steel Orchestra and HSSO, and more, there are so many exciting things happening ahead of the big day.
Primary massed choir twilight session success!
Earlier this month we were joined by over 100 teachers and choir leaders across two evenings of twilight rehearsals for the 2025 Gala. It was amazing to hear the primary massed choir music sung by a big group, and can’t wait to hear everyone again at the massed rehearsals in March and on Gala day.
Our Gala Conductor, Rufus, led the session where he went through each song and guided teachers on how to perform the music so they can start rehearsing in school. We’d love to hear how your rehearsals are getting on or what your favourite track is! Let us know @hertsmusic and #HertsSchoolsGala
Gala competition winners - rehearsals and progress!
Rehearsals are also well underway for our Gala Competition winners. We’ve had our first rehearsal for the songwriter winner (‘Burden’ by Isabelle) plus lots of exciting progress happening with the two winners of the Gala rap competition. We can’t wait to hear Kid Promise and Big Gub’s verses live in rehearsals next month.
Tickets for the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala
We’re thrilled to share that tickets for the Gala via the Royal Albert Hall Box Office have almost sold out – thank you to everyone who has purchased so far!
For those looking to attend but haven’t purchased tickets yet, keep an eye out for our returned ticket sale launching very soon. These will be sold online by Hertfordshire Music Service via Eventbrite as and when they are released.
To stay in the loop as and when tickets are released, sign up to receive email notifications about ticket availability:
HMS Hertfordshire Schools' Gala 2025
Please note that signing up for email reminders does not guarantee a ticket.
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
RAHGala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
December 2024
With less than 100 days until the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala at the Royal Albert Hall, excitement is building for all the fantastic events coming up next term!
Tickets will be going on sale starting in January, so mark your calendars – you can sign up to receive exclusive updates and ticket reminders here.
We’re also looking forward to our primary massed choir twilight session, where choir leaders and teachers will start learning the songs for the Gala.
Before we know it, the primary and secondary massed choir rehearsals will be in full swing in March.
We can't wait to see you there on Sunday 23 March 2025!
Fun facts about the Royal Albert Hall!
- Did you know that it took 4 years for the Royal Albert Hall to be built and that the roof was made separately in Manchester whilst the rest was built in London?
- The hall has been open since 1871 – that’s 153 years ago!
- The building is in fact oval in shape, and not circular.
- There are 9999 pipes in the organ at the Royal Albert Hall – the second largest in Britain and one of the largest in the world.
- The Royal Albert Hall doesn’t just hold music events, there has been tennis matches, ballroom dancing, ballet, and held the first British indoor marathon in 1909 … it took them 524 circuits of the arena!
We are so excited for our special 30th anniversary celebration!
Sending warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
November 2024
Videos produced as teaching resource for HMS Steel Orchestra
In preparation for the rehearsals of the HMS Steel Orchestra, Lindsay and Rory have produced some live performance videos of the individual steel pan parts. The videos will be used to support the HMS Steel Orchestra performers during the learning and rehearsal stage of the project.
The Hertfordshire Schools' Gala will be the debut performance for the countywide HMS Steel Orchestra; the group is comprised of young people from St Albans Girls' School, Countess Anne Primary, Purwell Primary, Virtual School, Mid Herts Community steelband and Stevenage Community steelband. The group will feature in the afternoon and evening concerts, performing 'In My House' by Emmanuel 'Oba' Synette, arranged by Lindsay Campbell.
Here's a behind the scenes photo taken at Stevenage Music Centre during the recording process.
If you haven't already, you can view the full gala programme below and on the Gala webpage: www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/HMSGala
Programme announcement!
We’re delighted to announce that earlier this month the official 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala programme was unveiled!
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Our programme has taken inspiration from the ‘For the Record’ theme, celebrating generations of music making. We can’t wait to hear everything live at the Royal Albert Hall in March!
Let’s take a look at some of the songs our massed choir and orchestra will be performing!
If I Had Words
‘If I had words’ is the French composer Saint-Saëns’ melody from the Maestoso section of his Symphony No.3 (the ‘Organ’ Symphony). The instrumental melody was first given words in 1977 with a reggae beat by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley. It was also famously used as a song in the 1995 film ’Babe’. Our version takes the lyrics and melody back to its orchestral origins in a commissioned arrangement by Hertfordshire Music Service alumnus, Daniel Basford.
When I Grow Up
from Matilda the Musical (words and music by Tim Minchin)
Matilda the Musical is based on the story about a young girl with extraordinary powers written by Roald Dahl, an extremely successful author of popular children’s literature and short stories. In 2010, Tim Minchin adapted Dahl’s Matilda for stage, creating music and lyrics for Matilda the Musical. Thr show was premiered at The Royal Shakespeare Company and is currently on in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre, London!
‘When I Grow Up’ captures the aspirations of what adulthood might be like, as sung by the children in the story. They sing about having the ability to do whatever they want, including eating sweets every day, climbing trees, and going to bed late every night! The song also reflects the challenges of growing up and is an anthem of hope and empowerment.
You’re the Voice
'You're the Voice' is a song predominantly known by the 1986 release of the British-born Australian singer, John Farnham. The song writers’ intentions were to create a song that emphasised the importance of invoking personal agency when it comes to effecting political change.
First performed at the Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala in 2016, You’re the Voice is a symbol of hope and collective action. We hope that some of the 2025 participants may well have performed or heard this song be performed back in 2016, which links back to the theme of celebrating life-long music making.
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
October 2024
First meeting with winners of Gala Rap Competition!
This month we had our first meeting with the winners of the Gala rap competition! Alongside their mentor, Phil, Big Gub and Kid Promise got together to begin discussing their ideas for their rap verses, and what it will be like to perform at the Royal Albert Hall!
We’re so excited to hear their first drafts later this term, before rehearsing them alongside the Hertfordshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in Spring 2025!
Secondary school twilight session
This month also marks the first Twilight session for secondary school teachers to begin learning Gala repertoire! The session was led by Gala conductor Rufus Frowde and CYC conductor James Slimings. It was great to see everyone there and hear the music.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we can't wait to hear about your rehearsals! Please tag @hertsmusic and use #HertsSchoolsGala if sharing!
Primary, Special, and Middle Schools – applications now closed
Applications for Primary, Special, and Middle Schools closed on Wednesday 23 October. Schools will be notified of the outcome of their application after half term!
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
RAHGala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
September 2024
The Hertfordshire Schools' Gala is happening this academic year!
We are now officially in the academic year that the 2025 Gala at the Royal Albert Hall will take place – how exciting! This autumn term, there’ll be lots going on to prepare for this special event including the twilight session on 24th October for secondary school choir leaders, the announcement of the winner of the songwriter project who will perform their original song at the Gala and the Hertfordshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra will play through the music for the first time at their October half term course. We can’t wait to get stuck in!
Gala teaching pack recordings
Preparations for the 2025 Gala are now in full swing and over the last few weeks we’ve had vocalists join us at Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts to record the vocal lines for all our Gala songs, which will be available in the Gala teaching packs. We can’t wait to share these with you
Visiting the Royal Albert Hall
The Gala project team travelled into London to visit the Royal Albert Hall earlier this month - it was great to be back in the RAH auditorium where lots of you will be singing, dancing, and performing this March!
We met with the Gala director and RAH stage manager to talk about how we can best fit all the fantastic musical acts on the stage and in the arena. We look forward to sharing more details soon!
Primaries applications are now live!
This month the application form for Primary, Special, and Middle schools to be involved in the Gala massed choir went live! Want to get involved? Visit www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/HMSGala to find out more.
Applications close on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
Gala Youth Focus Group segment - September 2024
Check out our latest blog entry from another member of our Gala Youth Focus Group. Our team met this month to talk about plans for the storytelling element of the programme and what they want to see reflected on stage. More details to be shared soon.
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As we start the next school year, preparation for the Gala will step up a notch and I can’t wait to be involved in more of the minutiae of the day and the plans. I chose to take part in the Focus Group in hopes to help give my perspective as both a musician and a dancer with a love of performing. I know how much community and joy can come of taking part in performances such as the Gala, and hopefully we can help to make this the best one yet!
The experiences you can be rewarded with through the performing arts are monumental, and have created memories I will carry for life, especially from trips and performances, such as music tours with my school's band. Similarly, dance and the feeling of being in the moment onstage is one of my favourite feelings in the world. For 3 or so minutes, everything else goes quiet as you focus on the performance, the world temporarily shrinking to just the music, the audience and the other performers.
My friends and people I’ve met through both dance and music are a second family to me and have shaped me as a person. The communities are so warm and welcoming and offer a safe space for so many people. I know how important the arts are, and taking part in the Gala enables me to help shape people's first taste of performing. As a group we’ve tried to make it as meaningful as possible by our work to make the narrative truly reflect our young voices and how we feel. Having discussed the song list, I’m especially excited as it feels so contemporary and there will be familiar music for everyone. I can’t wait for schools to get the music and to be able to see as the Gala begins to be pieced together!
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Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
August 2024
Say hello to the winners of the Gala Rap Competition!
We are delighted to announce that the winners of the Gala Rap Competition, who will perform original rap verses live at the 2025 Gala, are Kid Promise and Big Gub! They are both very excited to get working on this project.
Big Gub
From nothing to something…
Big Gub found his passion for music in his early teens, producing beats on FL Studio. Fast forward two years Big Gub began writing songs of his own, taking inspiration from artists such as Juice WRLD, Eminem & Travis Scott. His ability to alternate between meaningful lyrics and energetic flows makes him an undeniably versitile voice. Big Gub often speaks upon his troubled childhood, relating to those who have shared similar experiences coming from a poverty driven upbringing. His lyrics focus on his hopeful future as an artist to live the rockstar lifestyle he had desired as a kid.
"This last year has been a journey, I have performed at numerous local shows and festival. But I'm by far looking forward to Performing at the Royal Albert Hall for the 2025 Gala."
- Big Gub
Kid Promise
Kid Promise is an up-and-coming rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer hailing from Hertfordshire and has already built a distinguished prominence for blending Hip-hop with a multitude of genres, never conforming to any limits, but most notably known for his energetic mix of Hip-hop and Pop. Promise cites eclectic influences from all over the world among Michael Jackson, XXXTentacion, BTS, Jaden Smith, The Kid Laroi and Nirvana. From playful melodic love tracks to the more sophisticated and darker corners of his discography there is always a moving and raw emotional experience to be had, no matter the climate. KP is growing rapidly and is making a statement in not just the music industry but in society as his lyrics challenge social injustices and airs out for the world his struggles with mental health in an attempt to empower the youth through relatability.
Currently based in London; fresh off his debut single ‘Bae’ being aired on BBC Introducing and performing with an orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall last year, Kid Promise will soon be a household name as he works towards making his dreams come true in becoming the best artist the world has ever come across. “If I’m not working towards being the best, there’s no point in me doing any of this,” he admits. “I want to become a legend, leave a legacy and change pop culture.”
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
July 2024
Official Gala poster announcement!
Our official 2025 Gala poster is now live! The Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala celebrates its 30th anniversary and “For the record” will be a celebration of music across the generations, featuring music making from Hertfordshire Music Service and Hertfordshire schools.
Tickets will go on sale on Monday 13 January 2025 via the Royal Albert Hall box office, and a limited number of additional tickets will be sold by HMS from February 2025.
For full details, please visit www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/HMSGala
Secondary school choirs, dancers and instrumental groups confirmed
All secondary school choirs who will take part in the massed choir, dancers and instrumental groups have been confirmed for the Gala which is very exciting! We are looking forward to seeing all of the secondary school choir leaders at the Gala twilight session on Thursday 24 October led by Gala conductor Rufus Frowde.
We have The Hemel Hempstead School Funk Band performing in our afternoon concert and the winners of the Gala songwriter competition will perform in the evening concert. Thank you to all schools who took time and effort to send in video submissions.
We have (again!) had the largest number of dance applications we’ve ever had and the standard was incredibly high so it was a very difficult decision to pick only 4 dance groups. Thank you to all schools who applied and took time and effort sending in video submissions. The dance groups taking part are Bushey Meads School, Tring School, The Highfield School, and Hitchin Girls School, who have all now been told which songs they’ll be dancing to!
Summer plans
Whilst everyone is having a lovely summer holiday there are lots of plans in the Gala team including vocal recordings of the songs for the teaching packs for schools, working on stage plans, and much more!
Primary, special, and middle school applications
Applications will open on Monday 9 September 2024 and close on Wednesday 23 October 2024. Keep an eye on our website for full details on how schools can apply to get involved!
Gala Youth Focus Group segment #1!
From now until the Gala day in March 2025, we are very pleased to announce that each month, a member of our new Gala Youth Focus Group will be contributing their own segment as part of the Gala blog. Check out our first entry all about one of the group’s personal experiences of performing in the Gala:
I am really excited for the planning and performance of the 2025 Hertfordshire’s School’s Gala. Having performed in previous Gala’s I was motivated to help shape this one and create a performance reflective of young people nowadays. I think that the Gala is a truly incredible experience, inspiring young musicians to achieve their potential. The performances have helped improve my playing stamina as well as managing performance nerves. Rehearsals gave me the opportunity to meet new people and form friendships that I’ve kept up to this day.
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
June 2024
Looking back in time!
As part of our Gala theme, “For the Record”, it’s important we reflect on what has happened in the past. Have a look at some of the programmes for previous events, going back to 1995 – the first Gala!
It’s amazing to see how far this event has come, and the sheer number of people who have been involved over the last 30 years of fantastic music making here at Hertfordshire Music Service.
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If you’ve taken part in the Gala over the last 30 years we’d love to hear about your favourite memories, by emailing rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
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Keep an eye out next month for an exciting announcement about our Gala 2025 programme! We can’t wait to share this with you.
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
May 2024
Welcome to our Gala Youth Focus Group!
Last month saw the inaugural Gala Youth Focus Group meeting!
This was the first time our members had met, and it was great to hear their thoughts and ideas on what story they want to tell at the Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala, especially as a young person today.
The Youth Focus Group are going to be instrumental in providing even more focus on youth voice in the Gala, and how this can influence the storytelling of our programme!
It was interesting to hear how they were all in agreement that it’s ok to not know what their futures might look like in terms of what they want to do when they’re older, but also how music can be used as a tool to be able to live in the moment.
The Youth Focus Group will be helping the Gala team on lots of different areas of the Gala, including staging and programming, lighting, and the overall running of the event.
We can’t wait to hear more from this fantastic group of young people!
Opportunities to get involved with the Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala
Don’t forget we have lots of opportunities and competitions open to get involved with the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala!
- The Gala Rapper and Digital Music Producer competitions + all secondary school groups (massed choir, instrumental, and dance) close on Monday 3 June 2024
- The Gala Songwriter competition will close on Friday 30 August 2024
- Watch this space for details on how Primary, Special, and Middle Schools can apply for a place in the massed choir, opening this Autumn
Lots of planning is underway ahead of our special 30th anniversary event, and we can’t share more with you next month.
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
April 2024
Opportunities at the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala!
Planning is well underway for the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala! With just under a year to go, we are excited to share some details about upcoming opportunities to get involved with the Gala.
Secondary school applications
We’re very pleased to announce that Secondary school applications for the 2025 Gala are now live! Secondary schools can now apply to bring the following:
- massed choir
- instrumental groups/bands
- dance groups
Gala competitions
There are also some exciting opportunities to get involved with our Gala Songwriter, Producer, and Rapper Competitions! We are looking for young people aged 21 or under who live or go school in Hertfordshire to apply. Check out our Gala Competitions page for more information!
- Songwriter Competition
- Digital Music Producer Competition
- Rapper Competition
We can’t wait to see as many of you involved as possible!
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
#HertsSchoolsGala
March 2024
Welcome! Save the Date for Gala 2025
Welcome to the very first post of the official 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala blog.
Hertfordshire Music Service are very pleased to announce that the 2025 Hertfordshire Schools’ Gala will take place on Sunday 23 March 2025 at the Royal Albert Hall!
Save the date for our special 30th anniversary celebration of this flagship event featuring music making from Hertfordshire Music Service and surrounding schools.
With just over a year to go, we will be posting a new update here every month in the lead up to the Gala on Sunday 23 March 2025, taking you along the journey with us through behind the scenes content, news and updates.
Keep an eye out for information about upcoming projects and competitions, and how you and your school can get involved! You can check out our main 2025 Gala webpage for further details: www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/HMSGala
Check out our 2023 highlights video
If you’ve never been to a Gala before, take a look at our highlights video from Gala 2023 so you can see what it’s all about at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. The video is linked on this page.
You can see schools singing together in the massed choir, the orchestra, the dancers, winners of the rapper, composer and songwriter competitions, plus many more inspiring young musicians and performers who all made the 2023 Gala incredible!
Head back to this page for next month’s blog post to find out what’s new with the Gala and more exciting content and updates.
See you next time!
Lucy & Daisy
Hertfordshire Music Service
#HertsSchoolsGala
RAH Gala Project Manager: Lucy Buckland
RAH Gala Project Co-ordinator: Daisy Enfield
Email: rahgala@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Tel.: 01992 555093 or 01438 843987