Southampton's Hidden Gem

On 19th November, Cllr Sam Chapman and Cllr Richard Blackman attended the Turner Sims 50th Anniversary Concert at the University of Southampton, celebrating this incredible venue’s rich history and exciting future.

Turner Sims is renowned as one of the most acoustically exceptional performance spaces in the UK, a status achieved thanks to its forward-thinking design influenced by the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton—one of the best in the world.

The evening began with a reception featuring inspiring speakers, including Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, and representatives from Arts Council England. The music programme showcased an eclectic mix: improvisation, classical pieces, and ‘A World of Music,’ which beautifully combined styles from across the globe.

Sam was particularly excited to hear about Turner Sims’ new community ticketing programme, aimed at making this world-class venue more accessible to people across Southampton. He commented, "It's fantastic to see Turner Sims taking steps to ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to experience the joy of live music. This initiative will help break down barriers and bring people together through the arts."

Turner Sims’ fantastic line-up of upcoming events can be found here: www.turnersims.co.uk/whats-on. If you’ve never visited, now is the perfect time to discover this hidden gem of Southampton!