The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) first visited Sunderland in 2017 as part of the Sound Around project, a partnership initiative between Sunderland Music Hub and Sunderland Empire’s Creative Learning Department. Since then, the organisations’ partnership has seen the RPO come to the city annually where they have worked with young people in SEND schools; in 2018 as part of the Sounds of Sunderland project and in 2019 for Beyond the Bandpit.

Projects with the RPO have enabled young people from Sunderland to experience the very best or orchestral performance as well as having the opportunity to give a range of orchestral instruments a go.

In 2019, the RPO will perform their John Williams Concert at Sunderland Empire where a small open rehearsal and workshops will be provided for young people in Sunderland secondary schools who are are learning an instrument to inspire continuation and progression. Alongside their workshops, the RPO will produce a resource pack that will be accessible to all schools and Sunderland Music Hub will be providing a range of orchestral workshops that link with the RPO’s performance.