October and November 2025 sees the 9th annual William Shield Festival, a celebration of the life of Swalwell's own 18th Century composer.

The highlight of the festival this year will be two performances of Mozart vs Shield, an opera evening featuring Mozart's 1765 masterpiece Bastien et Bastienne, and highlights from William Shield's most loved arias and songs from Robin Hood to Rosina.

The performances will take place on Saturday 15th November at 7pm at Valley Gardens Middle School, Whitley Bay, and on Sunday 16th November at 7pm at Swalwell Community Centre, Swalwell.

Celebrity artists from Rocket Opera are Ruth Jenkins Robertsson, soprano; Austin Gunn, tenor; and Andri Bjorn Robertsson-Colas, bass baritone. 

Tickets from Eventbrite or on the door. For more information about the rest of the festival programme, see here and also our Facebook page. 

Calling music theory students, CMWS Theory & Composition classes are currently available. Classes will be held every Tuesday 5-6pm on Skype, our tutor as ever is John Treherne MBE MA LTCL QTS.

Students of all ages and ability levels are welcome - not only current CMWS students but anyone wishing to extend their mastery of music theory. The class will cost £50 per term. The course is aimed at guiding students towards the grade 5 ABRSM theory exam. Note that once students have reached the required level, ABRSM theory exams can currently be taken online at home for grades 1-5. 

If you are interested in studying music theory please register your interest on our website contact form www.communitymusicws.com/contact or email makemusic@communitymusicws and further details on joining the class will be sent to you. Students will need to have their own copies of ABRSM "Theory in Practice" work books, further advice on this can be provided.

Welcome to the website of Community Music Whickham & Swalwell. We are a registered charity in the heart of Tyneside set up with the objective of providing access to music lessons and ensemble playing for young and old, and as a by-product providing music recitals for the community.

We currently have tuition groups in various instruments including violin, viola, cello, guitar and viol and we can provide music theory lessons and assessments (exams). We also have a number of ensembles and orchestra groups and we organise regular recitals. We can perform at your event - contact us! 

We are located on the south bank of the river Tyne and we welcome music lovers from far and wide to join us and help make some noise!