On the Off Beat in Woolavington

Looking forward to delivering a workshop for the Somerset Rural Youth projects' Soundscapes crew on Tuesday evening.
We're going for an 'on the off beat' feel - could be reggae, could be ska. Will be cool.

Rrrrrooooock band evening!

On October 11th our Heart Beats session will be different.
James and Paul from Soundscapes - our partner project - will be coming with loads of new stuff to run a 'rock band' evening for us.
Everyone can have a go at playing electric music together, with drum kit too.
The times are different too - 7 o'clock to 9 o'clock.
Woo hoo.

Heart Beats - lots of new things coming up soon.

What some people may not know is that Heart Beats is a project in two phases. We're excited that when we come back from our summer break there will be lots of things going on in the Heart Beats universe!

We'll be starting our autumn sessions on September 13th - usual place (Wells Museum) and usual time (6.00 - 8.00). Don't forget to come if you're part of our gang - or, if you're not, but you'd like to join us, email info@heartbeats.org.uk for some information.

We'll be welcoming our new trainees too - Elin and Ros.

One session this autumn will be run by James Brookes, from Somerset Rural Youth project, who has promised us a rock band workshop. And we'll be going to Jame's project, Soundscapes, to run a  workshop for them.

This autumn we will be running a 'little Heart Beats' project at Critchill school in Somerset, to reach some new participants - this will be an after school club.

Next year we'll carry on. In 2013 we'll concentrate on helping our Heart Beats crew to take turns to lead the music.
So - when 'phase two' starts, we'll be taking Heart Beats out on the road. Next summer we can offer music workshops with our own Heart Beats music leaders, in schools and communities across the SW region. Do get in touch if you'd like to book a workshop or you want more information.

Heart Beats March 22nd

Loving the Heart Beats crew. Great session yesterday, highlights including an unaccompanied song from Daryl (go Daryl!), Charlie leading a piece on the new electric guitar, and some stunning instrumental skills from Iona on trumpet and Sophia on viola - beautiful.
Good to welcome James and Paul from Soundscapes too. Hope you enjoyed!
As Martyn said, 'it was fun in there.'

Soundscape

I've been visiting the Soundscape project in Woolavington this evening. Lots of lively young people down there!
James led an improvisation session, everyone learning riffs and then adapting them to make new pieces.
Looking forward to welcoming James to the Heart Beats session this week. The co-project work is really interesting.

Heart Beats news

It's so great to be underway with this fabulous project - another fine session last Thursday.
Lots going on!
We're putting our evaluation strategy to the test, with a visit from our evaluator Nell to the session last week.
The trainees Iona and Sophia have had their induction session and are ready to rock'n'roll.
Musician in residence Declan is now a fully fledged team member. Thanks for the great song last week Declan!
I'm visiting our partner project SOUNDSCAPES to sit in on their 'improvisation' taster session next week.
We're organising our parallel mini-series of workshops which we hope will happen at Critchill school in Frome.
We're plotting and planning our Professional Development day which will happen in late spring / early summer. We've got our eyes on someone really good to lead this day, and there will be a few places for sale .... more info to follow soon.
And, last but not least, we're starting to wonder about how to spend out equipment grant from the Somerset Community Foundation. Mmmm - lots of nice things out there. Send us your ideas.
Russ wants : a steel pan...
I want: big fat chime bars....
What do you want?

Linkto the Soundscape page

I am organising my co-working visits to SRYP's Soundscape project in Woolavington. Soundscape is funded by Youth Music too.
SRYP and Count Me In are working together through co-supervision, skillshare swaps and constructive feedback.
There are some excellent pictures of the Soundscape project on the SRYP website.

Co-supervision with James

One of the great things about Heart Beats is that I get to have co-supervision and co-management meetings with James Brookes from SRYP.
James runs the Youth Music Power Play project Soundscape .
Our meetings are a chance to share successes, and what we've learned. That really helps when you're running everything yourself. Sometimes it helps to have another perspective on things.
I'm sure both projects will benefit.

Welcome one and all to our new HEART BEATS blog.

Hi everyone! This blog is where we can share ideas, news and thoughts about Heart Beats - the new music project run by COUNT ME IN, funded by Youth Music and Flourish Homes.

Heart Beats is a music club for young people with learning disabilities between the ages of 16 and 25 - it doesn't matter where you live, or if you play music yet. We're here to help you do that! Heart Beats happens on Thursday evenings, twice a month in term time, at Wells Museum. The two hour sessions cost £1 per person and start at 6.00 p.m.
To join up, you can email info@heartbeats.org.uk or ring 01373 813558.

We'll use this blog to keep in touch with you, and also share news and ideas with our partner project, Soundscape, which is run by Somerset Rural Youth Project and funded by Youth Music too.