A Musical Rebellion, 2025-2027

A protest in harmony. A future reimagined.

Co-produced by Tri-borough Music Hub and the Royal Albert Hall, and in partnership with Royal College of Music.

The Tri-borough Music Hub’s next major music education and performance programme is called A Musical Rebellion. Centred on the power of protest songs, A Musical Rebellion is a brand-new commission by composer Sally Greaves, that puts young people's voices at its core. The main event will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, 29 June 2027. Preparations with young people began in September 2025 to gather their creative responses to the project's themes.

A Musical Rebellion is envisioned as a landmark programme and a significant cultural initiative. Young participants will contribute to an ambitious and original commission, articulating both the realities of the world they are inheriting and their aspirations for the future. The project seeks to promote constructive solutions, with hope positioned at its core—representing a protest characterised by optimism and harmony, and reimagining what lies ahead. This new work aims to be both meaningful and representative, serving as an anthem for a new generation.

The primary objective of our collaboration on A Musical Rebellion is to further embed Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): Every child has the right to rest, relax, play, and participate in cultural and creative activities. The programme also references Articles 2 (Non-discrimination), 12 (Respect for children's views), 28 (Access to education), and 29 (Aims of education) as guiding principles.

Two Pillars / Six Themes

A. The Right to Belong (Personal: personal attributes and elements of identity)

1.     Racial Equity and Equality

2.     Gender Equity and Equality

3.     SEND Equity and Equality

4.     LGBTQ+ Equity and Equality

B. The Right to a Safe Future (Global: the world young people will inherit)

5.     Climate and Environmental Justice

6.     War, Violence and Displacement

Led by the Tri-borough Music Hub in co-production with the Royal Albert Hall, and in partnership with Royal College of Music, A Musical Rebellion will amplify unheard voices from across Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster's state-school communities, many from areas of deep deprivation. They will translate their ideas into a professionally composed work and a once-in-a-lifetime performance. We are delighted to be working with composer Sally Greaves, with whom we have a long-standing working relationship.

'I think I've always been a bit of a musical rebel, but I can't think of a better reason for A Musical Rebellion than for the rights of children. This will be quite the demonstration. I can't wait to work with the children and young people on the evolution of their own revolution.'  Sally Greaves, Composer (https://www.sallygreavesmusic.com)

Creating A Musical Rebellion

The first stage of AMR was getting responses from young people to inspire the creation of the libretto/lyrics of the work. To enable this process, we wrote a toolkit that has been used by 40 schools. The aim of the Toolkit was to give teachers starting points and ideas which prompt creative responses from pupils when reflecting on the two AMR pillars and the six intersectional themes. The toolkit covers a lot of ground across many cross-curricular subjects with a significant PSHE focus. 

As well as the in-school ideas and inspiration for the libretto and music, young musicians from TBMH after-school instrumental and vocal groups are working with Sally on further elements of musical content. This approach is ensuring youth voices are heard and felt throughout the work.

To further support the overall goal of AMR, we are also drawing on archive materials from the North Kensington Social Justice Archive(HERE), and the Royal Albert Hall archive (HERE). These incredible treasure troves of history provide stories and rich archive content.

Sponsors and Supporters

We are seeking visionary individuals and corporations to join us as sponsors of this historic event. This is more than philanthropy; this is cultural leadership. Please contact, Stuart Whatmore, Head of TBMH stuart.whatmore@rbkc.gov.uk.