O’Hare Music Centre, Britten Pears Arts’ new hub for music education, participation and artist development

Students on the Advanced Young Musicians Programme [Photo: Britten Pears Arts]

Britten Pears Arts’ O’Hare Music Centre has opened up in the newly refurbished Britten Pears Building at Snape Maltings. As part of phase 1 of Snape’s capital programme, the modernisation of the Britten Pears Building – originally converted in 1979 – was led by architects De Matos Ryan and built by Hutton Construction. A new lift has been installed, five larger music studios have been created, all the technical facilities modernised and the upper floor has been transformed into a state-of-the-art Clore Learning Space.

The Centre brings together the organisation’s work with children, young people, and emerging professional musicians under one roof, offering musical opportunities for artists of all ages: from early years to advanced musicians aged 18, as well as training and creative development opportunities for experienced and internationally established professional musicians as part of the Britten Pears Young Artist & Residencies programmes. 

The launch marks a significant step in Britten Pears Arts’ commitment to nurturing future generations of musicians while strengthening access to high-quality musical opportunities across East Suffolk. A new significant partnership with the Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub will enable its work for and with children and young people significantly across the next few years. This includes termly performance opportunities for pathways programmes within the Hub as well as a term-time, weekly Saturday school for children of all ages, and the establishment of new singing groups on a Friday afternoon.  

Advanced Young Musicians (AYM) is the organisation’s musical progression programme for talented young musicians from Suffolk and East Anglia. From September 2026, AYM enters an exciting new chapter, with expanded opportunities, a refreshed structure, and a new home in the Centre The programme brings together up to 40 young musicians for weekly Saturday sessions and students will be closely connected to the wider Britten Pears Arts programme, with opportunities to take part in the Aldeburgh Festival, attend masterclasses, observe rehearsals, and engage with an international community of artists.

Further information from Britten Pears Arts’ website.