Sue Benson, Managing Trustee of the Great Bowden Recital Trust, gives us an update on their group's involvement with Making Music's INCLUDE...
Holly Radford-James, Chief Executive Officer of Soundabout, talks to us about their Emerging Leaders project and how your music group can get involved.
Soundabout, the UK’s Learning Disability Music Charity, is inviting Making Music groups to be part of an exciting virtual collaboration and premiere of an original composition by Learning Disabled musicians from Soundabout’s Emerging Leaders project.
Emerging Leaders is designed to ensure that Learning Disabled people are represented in the music workforce by training up the next generation and offering work placements. As part of these work placements, the Graduate Emerging Leaders compose an original song. They hope to inspire musicians, such as yourselves, to sing, play, and record their music, alongside Soundabout’s very own choir network! As one of our Graduate Emerging Leader’s told us: ‘I never thought I'd be a role model. But it's just amazing…’.
Participating groups will be sent virtual scores in September, invited to submit recordings by 10 November, and then welcomed at an exclusive online premiere on 4 December. Last year their composition ‘Shine a Light’ featured introductions from Alan Titchmarsh, Kate Nash, and recordings from groups including London Symphony Chorus. For more information or to sign-up, please email us at info@soundabout.org.uk
'Shine a Light' by Soundabout Choirs & Friends ft. Kate Nash, Alan Titchmarsh, Lost Voice Guy & London Symphony Chorus
Soundabout’s vision is for everyone to be able to access and experience music. The charity specialises in using music and sound alongside people of all ages with very complex support needs. Activities are available online and in local communities with the aim of supporting communication, self-expression, connecting with others, health and wellbeing, as well as being a lot of fun!
As keen musicians, you will have experienced some of these benefits of making music with others. Liz, a parent carer who accesses Soundabout services with her daughter Ava, a funny, brave, and resilient 17-year-old who has complex support needs and is registered blind, explains that accessible music making opportunities can be transformative:
'Ava's joined so many sessions with [Soundabout]... You've helped create the home-school provision that she always needed but that wasn't there. You have collectively shaped the provision that's had real impact on her development and progression in so many areas of her life. You've reduced her isolation, helped her feel seen, been an antidepressant to us all, and have made her feel valued, heard and loved.' - Liz
Due to Ava’s medical needs and frequent bouts of chronic health issues, Ava has always spent long periods of time at home, isolated from friends, which impacted her mental health. But Ava’s disabilities don’t define her - she has an enviable ability to always live in the moment with a killer smile, an infectious giggle, and an unwavering obsession with all things musical.
Soundabout supports around 1,500 Disabled people with complex support needs like Ava annually. To keep services running, the charity relies on the support of incredibly generous volunteers, fundraisers, and donors. Every little really does help, from collections at concerts, coffee mornings, small monthly donations, volunteering your time, or exploring our free Wills offer. With your support we can keep more people like Ava connected with the world through music.
Find out more about Soundabout on their website and follow them on Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
Find out about ways to donate to Soundabout
To take part in Soundabout's Emerging Leaders collaboration, email them at info@soundabout.org.uk
