Tomorrow’s Warriors took over the Southbank Centre’s Spirit Level for 12 days in July and August for our big summer school, Summer Runnings, delivering a programme of 52 sessions to 151 young people (up 9% on last year’s attendance numbers).
But Summer Runnings is never just about the workshops – it’s creating a safe space for young musicians to come together, to share music, build communities, and have fun!
EXPANDING OUR REACH
This year, 67% of participants were new to Tomorrow’s Warriors, with many attending for the first time. We welcomed young musicians from 22 London boroughs, as well as from Brighton, Bristol, Gloucester, Merseyside, and even Cornwall. The programme proudly reflected our commitment to diversity, with 61% of attendees from Global Majority backgrounds and 40% identifying as female or non-binary.
A RICH AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMME
Summer Runnings 2025 featured a dynamic mix of masterclasses, talks, jams, and wellbeing sessions, all led by 65 Music Leaders, including TW alumni (46%). This year 69% of the Music Leaders and industry professionals were Global Majority, 51% were female, and 2 % were non-binary.
Highlights included:
- Instrument Masterclasses are at the heart of our Summer Runnings programme, and this year saw an wide ranging mix of sessions led by Joe Armon-Jones, Isobella Burnham, Camilla George, Moses Boyd, Soweto Kinch and more.
- Genre-Specific Workshops proved very popular with a Reggae and Jazz session led by Jazz Jamaica, and a lively Latin Music Masterclass with Colectiva both running at full capacity.
- We introduced a brand-new Introduction to Jazz Day tailored for younger and less experienced musicians, offering a gentle and inspiring introduction to jazz fundamentals.
- Daily Jams remain not only a time for the young musicians to play and practice their instrument, they are also a safe space to build friendship and community with their peers.
- Industry Day returned with 22 guest speakers across 7 sessions, covering everything from royalties and licensing to music marketing and accounting.
- Wellbeing Hours focused on mental and physical health, featuring yoga with Cherise and sessions from Tonic Rider and Music Minds Matter.
EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER SHOWCASE
The programme culminated in the Extraordinary Summer Showcase on Sunday 3 August, drawing an audience of over 400 people to the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer. Four of our development ensembles performed, including TW’s Youth Ensemble, Frontline, Big Band, and the new Steppin’ Over group—featuring TW co-founder Gary Crosby on double bass in a reggae-jazz set.
STUDENT VOICES
Feedback from participants highlighted the programme’s welcoming atmosphere, the opportunity to network and collaborate, and the inspiration drawn from playing alongside experienced musicians.
“The variety of sessions I loved… and the valuable information I got about genres as well as the jam sessions.”
“It was fun, engaging, lively, skilled, professional, inclusive.”
“Playing with people who are better than me and getting to play jazz properly with experienced people.”
Participants also made some suggestions for improvement, including more sightreading support, small ensemble playing, and expanded jazz styles like bebop.
Huge thanks to our PPL, everyone who donated to our Big Give match-funding campaign, and to the D’Addario Foundation for their support – without which Summer Runnings couldn’t happen.