Saffron Music Trust: taking live music across Essex

Saffron Music Trust believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the power of live music, wherever they live in the county and whatever their age or background. From its home at Saffron Hall, the Trust is working with outstanding artists to bring performances into schools and communities, support local music-making and develop high-quality live music in towns and cities across Essex.    

During its first year of expanded Essex activity, more than 7,000 young people across the county were reached through Saffron Music Live. This included large-scale theatre concerts and performances in schools, with artists and ensembles including Jess Gillam Ensemble, YolanDa Brown, Palisander, Britten Sinfonia, Mishra, Alis Huws, Ursula Harrison, Aurora Orchestra and London Mozart Players.

Across the programme, 27 schools attended theatre concerts, 38 primary schools were visited by ensembles and 36 in-school performances took place. More than 2,000 primary-aged children from 27 schools experienced live music in theatres from Clacton to Southend, while activity in schools reached thousands more. The Trust's work also included secondary-school residencies and creative projects, alongside professional development for teachers. The Spring brochure describes this first phase as only the beginning of the Trust's Essex-wide ambitions.    

The programme has continued to grow in 2026/27. In September, Saffron Music Trust worked with Harlow District Council to bring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to Harlow Town Park for a free outdoor Prom, attended by more than 8,500 people, with local performers including Harlow Chorus and Livewire joining the orchestra on stage.

The Trust is also launching a new concert series at Chelmsford Cathedral, beginning with The Sixteen in December 2026, while developing further schools and community activity around its work in Chelmsford. Brentwood Folk Club continues to develop towards a locally led, sustainable future, while plans for schools activity extend from early-years children through to secondary pupils. The Spring brochure sets out the ambition to create more opportunities for people to be inspired by, experience and participate in music across Essex.    

This work is being developed with Saffron Music Trust’s Associate Ensembles and Artists: The Sixteen, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Britten Sinfonia and Jess Gillam, helping the Trust reach more children and communities across the county.    

Angela Dixon added:
“Saffron Hall has demonstrated what can happen when exceptional music, education and community come together. Saffron Music Trust allows us to take that ambition much further – working with communities and partners across Essex while continuing to bring extraordinary artists to our home in Saffron Walden. What happens in our remarkable auditorium can be inspiring, moving and uplifting. What happens outside it is equally important, and we want more people, in more places, to have the opportunity to make live music part of their lives.”