SESC Music Festival
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BSU students take talents overseas for Brazilian music festival
Tuesday, 10 March, 2026Bath Spa University BA Music students swapped the UK winter for the Brazilian summer this January, taking their talents across the Atlantic.
Six adventurous students performed on international stages and collaborated with musicians at the renowned SESC Festival in Pelotas through a new partnership with the Federal University of Pelotas and the SESC Foundation.
Recognised as one of the most important music events in Latin America, this year’s Festival marks its 14th year running, consolidating itself as a cultural cornerstone in the city.
Throughout the 13-day festival, students, teachers, and professional musicians from across the globe were brought together for a vibrant celebration of concert music, offering free shows, coaching, and a schedule of performances and concerts held in iconic venues throughout Pelotas.
Discussing why she chose the trip, BA Music student, Catherine Messenger, said:
“I chose the trip because it offered a unique cultural insight to various types of music – especially since my instrument (the flute) is prominently featured within the popular Brazilian music we were playing. This trip provided an invaluable experience I will cherish and always be extremely grateful to have experienced.”
With performances in concert halls and open-air events set against the city’s lagoon and beach, students were immersed in both music and culture. Through an itinerary of specialist coaching, orchestral collaborations and harmony sessions, the group explored Brazil through music.
But the experience didn’t stop there. Beyond the itinerary, the group threw themselves headfirst, integrating into the local scene, getting stuck into jam sessions, barbecues and street parties, and fully realising how deeply music permeates every corner of Brazilian culture.
Discussing how the experience has influenced him, BA Music student, Tom Donovan, said:
“My favourite part was the friendly community that swiftly emerged after meeting the Brazilians who also travelled for the festival. They welcomed us into their community and culture, keeping us safe and assisting us with translation, navigation and anything else we needed.
“The trip will influence me on a musical level through the new techniques, genres and approaches I was exposed to. Wider than that, it has shown me a level of cultural diversity and sensitivity that I hadn’t experienced before and can now take through my studies and my life.”
As the first non-Latin American university to collaborate with the SESC Foundation, the trip also garnered significant media attention, giving students valuable professional media exposure alongside their lessons and performances, with students taking part in TV interviews and speaking to journalists about their work.
Reflecting on what she learned on the trip, BA Music student, Lily Paylor-Sykes, said:
“In Brazil, music is treated as very natural thing that you do every day without thinking- which I want to apply to my life. Previously composing was like forcing music to come out of me, but now when I hear a musical idea in my head, I take it in the moment and make a note to use it later. I can already see my composition improving, just from writing down a new melody daily.”
Accompanying the group was Programme Leader for Music, Dr Matt Dicken, who prioritised making the trip accessible to all students. By drawing on multiple funding streams, including resources directly from the School of Music and Performing Arts, Matt ensured that the experience reflected the University’s commitment to widening participation.
The first of many, the trip marks the beginning of an annual international collaboration, with plans already in motion for a return in 2028; while BSU is also exploring reciprocal exchanges that could bring Brazilian students all the way to Bath.
Want to discover who you are as a musician and develop the skills you need to thrive in your future career? Explore our BA Music course on our dedicated webpage.