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.

Some good news for 2014

Thank you very much, Esmee Fairbairn and SW Foundation, for agreeing to a request for some addiitonal funding for Heart Beats in 2014.
We're going to use this funding to put on some Heart Beats parties, so - hooray!
Happy Christmas!

.

silent nights......

No Heart Beats music tonight - we're taking our festive rest.
Sending lots of very warm wishes to all our friends. Keep warm and don't forget to be musical.
Have a Happy New Year too, we'll hope to see you all in January for a brilliant, exciting and harmonious start to 2014.

Happy Christmas!

Count Me In are leading some experiential training for Sound Foundation Somerset....

Breaking news....


Fantastic Professional Development Opportunity for Somerset Music Practitioners!

Sound Foundation Somerset (Somerset’s Music Education Hub) and Somerset County Council’s Short Breaks are funding a great professional development opportunity for music practitioners in Somerset.

This is for people who work with children and young people with disabilities, learning and communication needs and who are interested in developing their music leading skills.


Supported by SPAEDA Arts Education, and delivered by Count Me In, this experiential learning opportunity includes two mornings of live music workshops based on structured, improvised group music making.

Practitioners will participate in these workshops and learn to lead a group of children and young people with disabilities, learning and communication needs.

Afternoon sessions focus on learning and professional development, with practitioners reflecting, planning and reviewing the workshops.


Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February 2014


Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, Langport, TA10 9PN


9.30am – 12.30pm- workshop for 12 years +


Lunch – for Count Me In and CPD Participants


1.30-3.30pm CPD element for emerging practitioners



Call: 01458 254265 to book your practitioner place.
Only five free CPD places available

Festive and seasonal....

Hey hey! it's our December session tonight - the last before the midwinter break.
Yes, there may be mince pies and twinkly lights. And music to warm, to cheer and to sparkle with ...
Our Christmas cake is also our birthday cake, we are celebrating 2 years of the Heart Beats club.
Lots of reasons to be merry, then!