Music
Many pubs and other venues in Poole stick to cover and tribute bands. However, there is a thriving underground music scene, particularly Open Mic nights. We encourage the development of more creative musical acts and host Freeplay - two music jamming nights each month for musicians of all levels.
We are very fortunate though to have the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in residence at the Lighthouse.
Open mic/jamming nights
Freeplay Mix and Freeplay Chill, our jamming evenings at The King Charles Inn, Poole usually taking place on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Sunday of each month respectively. See our events page for more details of timings.
The Blue Boar, Old Town Poole - superior open mic evening attracting fine musicians in atmospheric venue.
The Music Meet is a music networking, open mic and programmed music evening run by Dorset Music Forum and takes place at the Winchester in Poole Hill, Bournemouth.
O'Neills, Old Christcurch Road, Bournemouth - open mic on Tuesday evenings.
Safehouse, an experimental music collective meeting monthly at the Lighthouse.
The Victoria Cross, Ashley Road, Poole - open mic on Sunday evenings.
Music listings
Music venues
The larger music venues is the area are listed below. For a list of pubs and other smaller venues see bh one's venues' section.
Bournemouth International Centre (the BIC)
Centre Stage, a performance space for comedy, music and theatre
The Lighthouse, the home of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Mr Kyps, a Poole music venue putting on mostly tribute bands but a few nights of original music each month.
Music Organizations
bh one, a Bournemouth-based music website.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Club du Monde promotes world music
Dorset Music Forum is the central hub for the music industry across Dorset
Dorset Music Service is the main provider of musical tuition within Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth Schools and also runs county groups, ensembles and music centres.
Soundstorm, an award-winning, innovative music education development agency covering Bournemouth and Poole. Its prime mission is to include the 5-16 age range in exciting, contemporary music activities, across a range of genres. Contact: Dan Somogyi: 07811 369062; e-mail: daniel.somogyi@bournemouth.gov.uk
Choirs and bands
Bournemouth Pendelfin Singers Ladies' Choir
Broadstone Community Choir sing mostly sacred choral pieces and present four concerts each year in local churches, sometimes with orchestral accompaniment.
Cantabile, a singing group. For more information e-mail jeanholt76@hotmail.com
Celtic Colours. For more information e-mail westerndolly54@yahoo.co.uk
Dolphin Marching Band, for 10-25 years olds. They will teach you to play the instrument from scratch!!
Poole Borough Band is an all-brass combination that performs concerts and contests throughout the south of England.
St. Aldhelm's Orchestra provides an opportunity for amateur musicians to play the standard orchestral repertoire, to develop musical ability, to enhance the skills of ensemble playing and to contribute to the local cultural amenities
Wessex Harmony, sing acapella – 4 part unaccompanied singing.
Recording studios
For a list of recording studios in the area see bh one's recording studio's section.
Further Education Courses
Weymouth College runs a foundation degree in Music and Music Technology.
Bournemouth & Poole College offers a foundation degree in Popular Music.
Bournemouth University also runs degrees in Music & Audio Technology and Soundtrack Production, and foundation degree in Music & Sound Technology.
