How to end - part two : Twelfth Night at the Globe

Throughout the AllStars project, Alex and Jane have been running the Listening Lounge - monthly music mentoring sessions with a mixed group of SEN/D musicians and music students / Graduate Music Assistants.

This safe, small and exploratory group have been integral to the delivery of the project. Ideas for workshops have been investigated and developed. We've chatted, played together, and used all sorts of approaches to interactive improvisation.

We've invented games, written songs, experimented with graphic scores, art and sound, iPads apps, voices, and lots of surprising ideas.

This summer Alex has been in London a lot, as the drummer in the band for Emma Rice's production of Twelfth Night at the Globe Theatre.... ' the Summer of Love' season. We'd spent our session last month exploring drama and music, learning about the play, and impersonating the characters. Josh identified with 'Count Cappuccino' and Hannah, Sir Toby Belch. Lots of laughs, and some serious playing.

The Globe Theatre

The stage

It seemed obvious that our last Listening Lounge session should be a visit to the Globe Theatre.

a warm day...

So - off we went on the hottest day of the year!  It was an adventure, and a long day, but with Russ at the wheel it was a smooth journey.

a full house

Celebrity!

Our seats were in the upper gallery. We had a good view of the play and the musician's gallery and managed a couple of celebrity waves at the drummer.

The play, the music and the atmosphere were completely unforgettable. Lots of humour, with top class musicianship and singing from the cast.

As we drove back west we were treated to a spectacular sunset over Stonehenge and Salisbury plain.

A colourful end to a special day, and a vibrant end to a special piece of work.

Reflecting, understanding, and sharing - working in a team

Leading a training day for other professionals, who come from a range a backgrounds and experiences, forces you to reflect on what you do - pick it apart - and distill it down into a cohesive presentation.

We work as a team of three independent music leaders who deliver sessions together, with an interconnected  approach.

 As musicians our job is to scaffold the music in the group whilst waiting our turn to lead - it's interesting switching from leading to modelling and support, whilst our colleagues interpret the plans we make together. This gives you a real sense of how effective the music leading is, too.

When we were planning for 'Joining In' training this Saturday, we started with the premise that we bring three different approaches to the whole.

The day was about approaches to 'musical inclusion'.

Obviously between us, we have a range of expertise. To keep things clear we focused on the AllStars  'musical inclusion' approaches:

• Alex, as a music therapist, spoke about the personal outcomes, the process-based approach;
• Russ, as a musician, spoke about musical outcomes, and enabling everyone to be included in a musical process;
• Jane, as a community music leader, spoke about social outcomes, participation and communication.

It worked! - we managed to re-affirm and support each others' work, whilst describing our broad and cohesive approach.

Just through putting this together, we learned a lot through reflection and sharing.
A great experience.

Some feedback:
'fundamental, free, expressive, understandable'

'Inspiring and eye opening'

'It made me realise what a variety of things music does and has taught me not to be so regimented with music.'

'Makes you think outside the box.' 

'Amazing, I learned a lot. I learned, what is music.'

 'Life affirming - opened my eyes to a different type of 'work.''
 

Training opportunity with the AllStars team, January 30th

Joining in : exploring good practice for inclusive music

A CPD day for professionals with Count Me In.

This training day is for professionals who are looking for new ideas and ways to use music inclusively .

Join us for a creative and hands-on day in this inspiring setting to explore some different approaches to learning through music. This CPD opportunity is a day of practical exercises, playing, reflecting and discussion, led by the music leaders of the AllStars project, Alex Lupo, Jane Harwood and Russ Stanley.

We will investigate methods and techniques to fully include all children and young people with additional needs.

This training is for educators (mainstream and SEN), SENCOs, teaching assistants, musicians, music leaders and practitioners working in non formal settings.

Topics to be covered:

- enabling musicianship in mixed groups
- inclusion and communication through music
- incorporating interpersonal and therapeutic approaches

The training has a unique, experiential element. Attendees will be offered the opportunity to attend one of our ‘Heart Beats’ live music sessions, to co-lead a workshop with an integrated, inclusive group of young musicians.

Places are strictly limited.

Do bring your own instruments, though some will be provided.

Please bring some lunch to share. Drinks and snacks are provided.

DATE : Saturday January 30^th 2016

Location : The Lecture Hall, Wells and Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE

Time : 10.00-3.30                                                                                      

Cost : £40.00  (concs. available, please enquire) 

To book : info@heartbeats.org.uk     01373 813558

all about AllStars

 And here we are - your music leaders :

Geoffrey

Ben

Russ

Alex

Jane

Heart Beats at the Rural Music Network, February 9th 2015

Heart Beats hero Mark J. has fund raised, organised and made the poster for this session.
All you have to do is book a place (0797457603, email jamesbrookes@sryp.org.uk) and turn up on the night. It's free!
Huge massive fun guaranteed. Come and meet up with your old friends. Warm your hearts in the middle of a cold winter!

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!

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.

Hearts, Beats, Music

Wow, what an amazing team!
Its been a total joy working with you all .....
Geoff
Russ
Alex
Ben
Mark
Martha
Emma
Leah
Elin
Ros
Iona
Sophia
Declan

Here's a wish for lots more music, for all of us, later.

Hello from Russ

Hi I'm Russ.I love trying to get music out of any instrument, even if I've never tried it before.Things with strings are good but I enjoy drums and percussion too.My favourite thing to do is playing music with other people outside on a sunny day.