United in Sound: A CMA Showcase

Our 2025 summer showcase featured three original pieces co-created by Croydon Music & Arts students and mentors from the Multi Story Orchestra. Deeply rooted in Croydon's cultural heritage, the project celebrated the 150th anniversary of composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who lived and worked in

Croydon. Each piece drew inspiration from his melodies, reflected in their titles: Ballade-Hiawatha, Military Strut, and Willow Song.

The creative process was truly collaborative. CMA students composed and improvised under the guidance of Multi-Story Orchestra mentors and local composer Shri Sriram, with the music then expertly arranged and orchestrated by MSO's founder Kate Whitley—herself a Croydon resident. The project expanded further through partnerships with the Croydon Academy of Eastern Arts (CAEA), whose music students collaborated on Ballade-Hiawatha and dance students performed in Military Strut. Finally, dancers from SLiDE created and performed beautiful choreography for Willow Song, completing this celebration of local talent and artistic collaboration.

This project was made possible by Partnership funding from the London Music Fund (Registered Charity No: 1141216), supported by The Karlsson Játiva Charitable Foundation, through the Signatur programme for the advancement of the art of music.