Creative Minds Conference

Please help spread the word about this conference.

For more details follow this link:
 /http://www.creativemindsproject.org.uk/events/creative-minds-south-west/

Heart Beats - the movie

Alex has made a film about Heart Beats.
If you would like a copy, email us at info@heartbeats.org.uk and we will send you one (please don't forget to tell us your address)

Day service providers forum

Here's an event which may be of interest to any of you based in Mendip, Somerset.
(We can't help thinking that's the Heart Beats crew up there on the top right......)

We're not a day service but we do offer extra curricular fun and learning opportunities for all the young people this event is aimed at. We'll be there if you want an informal chat on the day.

making music with new friends.....

Playing music together is an age-old way to develop friendships.
Heart Beats aims to give young people physical, emotional and social confidence, whilst having a good time.
We do what we can to evaluate the success of this, but sometimes you get something come through that reminds you it's all on track.
Today I got sent this lovely spontaneous endorsement, a poster made by one of the group.
Making music with new friends....yes.

Drawing with sound ... join us August 30th

On August 30th we're running a workshop for Sound Foundation Somerset / Spaeda / Short Breaks Somerset, at Bow Wharf in Langport.
There are still places available. Suitable for young people and professionals (who will be invited to stay on for some CPD in the afternoon).

We are taking this years 'Big Draw' as our theme.
We'll be 'drawing with sound'.
The soundscapes we'll be creating are based on landscapes - urban, rural, and coastal.
Alex is going to record the music we play so it can be used as a soundtrack.

For more information, see http://www.soundfoundationsomerset.org.uk/event/music-making-workshop-with-count-me-in/

Happy Holidays

Hoping you are all having a Happy Holiday!

August 30th - creating a soundtrack for the Big Draw and some more CPD too

You can book a place by ringing Spaeda, 01458 254 262. info@spaeda.org.uk.£5 for young people, £10 for professionals to include lunch.

 

 

CPD opportunity for professionals - with Alex

Sound Foundation festival - Heart Beats in Taunton.

T shirts on, all set up, ready and waiting.....the musics' round the corner in the studio space.
Russ and Jane at the Brewhouse Theatre for the Sound Foundation Festival.

Sound Foundation workshops

Good times had by all at the Brewhouse Theatre on Saturday, where we were running inclusive 'drop in' workshops for the Sound Foundation Somerset festival. A truly integrated day! - all ages and abilities. As someone pointed out, the dynamics and feel of the music change every time a new person enters the room.
We all bring in our own way of responding and contributing.
Warm, welcoming, surprising, musical. Funny, and often very beautiful.
Thanks to everyone for your playing!

Thanks to Spaeda for supporting this. And thanks to Rod Paton for the Lifemusic ideas that make this kind of thing work so well.

Heart Beats Sound Foundation festival - July 12th

Russ and Jane are running  Count Me In workshops at the Sound Foundation Somerset Music festival in Taunton next week.
Our workshops are especially for young people with disabilities and their families / circles of support.

The workshops are in the Brewhouse theatre, 11 - 3. (One morning, one after lunch)

You can find out more, and book a FREE place, by getting in touch with Spaeda : 01458 254 262 / 07976 118650, alice@speada.org.uk

There's lots of other music events happening too : www.soundfoundationsomerset.org.uk

our lovely volunteer trainees

At our last session we said goodbye to Gemma and Vicky, this years' trainees from Wells Cathedral school. They have been so welcome at every session, adding to the mix with beautiful French Horn, Violin, recorder, ukelele, voices.... Good luck in the future you two! We'll miss you!

Summer Party.....

Ah - yes, midsummer madness time again. Come and have some big time fun, and some amazing music, and some cake.
We have the end-of-year Heart Beats summer party this Thursday, 6 - 8 at Wells Museum.
Please do come if you have been in any way involved in Heart Beats, (including supporting someone to come), or think you may want to get a feel for what we do. And be prepared to play some awesome music.
It's £1.50 on the door. All welcome. Don't be late!

The world premiere of Heart Beats - the movie

This Thursday there's something different - a midsummer special.  We shall be watching the brand new exciting top-class Heart Beats film, shot, produced and directed by none other than our own Mr Alex Lupo.
We're excited because it's the first-ever screening...... and yes - there will be popcorn... and ice creams.... (And music, later)

Evaluation - case study

We're proud to hear that Arts Manager and Evaluator Nell Farrally will be using a Heart Beats case study tomorrow as an example of good evaluation practice. Nell will be sharing this case study with the partners of the Bristol Musical Inclusion Network.

Tonight, and next time....

Tonight we're exploring what happens when you play the same thing slowly, fast, and then on the off beat ... could be interesting.....get ready to SKANK IT UP one and all.

And a reminder : because of this and that, the next session is on JUNE 12th.

See you all soon!

Summer fun

Merry Musical May Day

By happy coincidence, tonight's session falls on May Day.
We thought we'd celebrate this special spring day with a folky session. Things you can expect tonight  - bells, eggs, songs, cuckoos, general jollity. See you later!

Hello! Hello! Hello Alex!!!

A great session again last night, we are always pleased and surprised by how different it is - every time we meet. High points included learning the correct sign for 'punk' (extend fingers from top of head like a mohican hairdo); a soundscape of sunrise that included an array of animal sounds; french horn and ukelele duet; Mark on the agogo bells; Ben's looping antics; and lots of creative leading by all the group.
Next time, we're going for more looping - live and recorded - and a bit of a folky theme. Sign for 'folkie' anyone?

All this without Alex, who is away this month being a Rock Star. We missed you, Mr L.!
So we made this film for you - no apologies about the singing.

Ahoy there

Ahoy there me hearties ....
This week we will recreate the Sounds of the Sea, ranging from seashell percussion to Hawaiian paradise beach sounds to surf rock .....
Bring your shades. Happily though, it's not Talk Like a Pirate Day yet, so we can relax - a bit.

Heart Beats are here to cheer you up...with an emergency dance party

It's February and it is cold, wet and windy. Every time we go outside our hats blow off and we keep stepping in puddles.

Tonight we're going to forget about all that - what we all need is an emergency dance party!!

This year we've played some funky beats and some reggae, now it's time for the dance grooves.
Alex and Ben will be bringing loops and beats into the mix, you'll get a choice to dance, play or get creative with the technology.

Over to you, then, guys.......

Half term music making opportunity

Please spread the word - there are still places available on these excellent workshops  for young people with disabilities (12 and over). Siblings, parents and extended families welcome too!
The workshops will be run by Alex, Russ, Geoff and Jane from the Heart Beats / Count Me In team.

The music team - trainee volunteers

We're lucky to have two fantastic trainee volunteers with us at every Heart Beats session.
Following in the illustrious footsteps of Sophia, Iona, Elin and Ros, we now have Wells Cathedral school students Gemma and Vicky with us for the year.
This placement is an opportunity for them to gain experience of music leading, and for the Heart Beats crew to learn from them.
Last week they added in what was probably the first ever funk riff on French horn and recorder!
Go Gemma and Vicky!

Gemma with Martyn

         

Vicky with Martina and Andrew

2014

Yes! time to make some noise!
Now we've all put our tinsel back in the attic, it's time to dust off the instruments and gather together again.
Here's the dates for the first part of 2014 :

1.   Jan 9th 

2.   Jan 23^rd

3.   Feb 6^th

4.   Feb 27^th

5.   Mar 13^th

6.   Mar 27^th

We start again after Easter on April 24^th

Come and join us for tunes, rhythms, songs, musical games, fun, tea, cake and all the rest.... Wells Museum at 6.00 this Thursday.