Exciting news - We have a new music centre in the City Centre
We are so excited to now be based at the magnificent, newly-restored Drapers' Hall, where we will be able to offer music tuition, music groups and events.
From January 2022, Drapers' Hall will become a music centre on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for children and the wider community.
After more than 30 years shut, this impressive Regency hall in the heart of historic Coventry is being repurposed and reinvigorated as an intimate venue for music and music education.
The Grade II* listed Drapers’ Hall is one of the few Regency buildings in the city and was built in 1831-2 as the headquarters of the Coventry Drapers’ Guild. The current building is the third Drapers’ Hall on the site, replacing the previous medieval and post-medieval buildings which the wealthy Guild of Drapers constructed as places to do business, to socialise and to hold events.
Designed by Thomas Rickman and H W Hutchinson, the current building is in Greek Revival style and consists of a series of grand ceremonial spaces lit by rooflights: a Ballroom, Tea Room and Reading Room. Each of these has decorative plaster ceilings and chimneypieces. In the basement the original kitchens, plate store, wine store and sculleries survive with all their fittings. Parts of the basement were also used as air raid shelters in both World Wars.
The building was last used as a youth magistrates’ court over 30 years ago. Working with The Princes’ Foundation, Historic Coventry Trust is restoring the building as a home for Coventry Music Service and a music and events venue.
This project is supported by funding from Alan Edward Higgs Charity, Arts Council England, Coventry City Council Cultural Capital Fund, Coventry Drapers, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston, London Drapers, The Prince’s Foundation, Swire Charitable Trust and Wolfson Foundation.
Coventry Music will be offering a range of different music groups for a full range of instruments and music abilities. We have children's groups as well as community groups for adults, children and families.
We are also able to offer individual tuition on most instruments in the evenings on one of the three days. If you are interested in having lessons with us at Drapers' Hall then contact us at music@coventry.gov.uk or sign up online.
Drapers' Hall will also be a fantastic venue to host our future shows and performances and we can't wait to showcase our talent in this beautiful historical space.