Monster in the Maze - A Sheffield Music Hub review

Sheffield Music Hub and Music in the Round gathered the very best musical talent from across the city to take part in a production of Monster in the Maze, by Jonathan Dove, last weekend. 

Music in the Round is the leading national producer of chamber music, with a year-round programme of hundreds of events for people of all ages. Ian Naylor, Head of Music Education Sheffield said “Not only do Music in the Round programme outstanding professional concerts here in the city, but they also have a wonderful schools programme and do a number of concerts here in the Crucible every year.”

This year, the Sheffield-based organisation turns 40, and to celebrate they brought together around 200 musicians from across the city to perform in a very special production of The Monster in the Maze. 

We are delighted to have been able to collaborate with Music in the Round on this incredible community opera! Projects like these are so important and can have profound impacts for young people involved!

The production featured adult, youth and children's choruses drawn from our Sheffield Youth Choirs (Junior Voices, Youth Voices & Concordia Voices) along with singers from Sheffield. The orchestra featured the Consone Quartet (Music in the Round's artists in residence), Ensemble 360 (Music in the Round's resident ensemble) and the Bridge Ensemble (musicians from Music in the Round's scheme which supports emerging artists underrepresented in chamber music), along with Sheffield Music Hub Senior Strings and youth musicians from Sheffield Music Hub. To bring such a range of musicians and young people together is an incredible achievement and musical director John Lyon’s arrangements of the parts made it possible.

Performers Riya, 15, shared she "never thought I'd get this opportunity"

Sam, 18 said "The BEST experience of my life. Having never done Musical Theater before (let alone an opera in the Crucible!!), this has really opened my eyes to the opportunities available and I will say now at some point in the future we WILL see me on the stage again!!"

Lana, 11, when asked how it felt to be a part of the production said it was "Joyful because of the people"

Robert Hugill, who runs the online classical magazine PlanetHugill spoke about the Youth Chorus “The youth choir were required to do a lot of the heavy lifting… The 19 performers really rose to the challenge, giving a convincing performance and dealing deftly with Dove's writing including various solo passages.”

Bringing together professional musicians, professional opera singers, an adult choir, a youth chorus (14 to 18) and a children's chorus (7 - 13) has been magical. Each choir had their opportunity to shine and the difference in the voices really enhanced the performance.

Gillian Hume, Music Hub Manager said “The kids absolutely loved it, it will stay with them forever”

Thank you so much to Music in the Round for providing this opportunity for the young people of Sheffield!