Our Work

Project Archive This page provides an outline of past projects. Please click where indicated for a more detailed summary. Notes from Underground (2007) Cricket Roots (2007) Eat to the Beat (2006) Calypso Clean Up! (2006) Story telling and Acrobatics - Whitstable Tea Gardens (2006) Oyster Beats at the Whitstable Oyster Festival (2006) The Global Cultural Day (2006) Make it Real Calypso (2006) Global Outreach & Global Weekend (2005) Mentee Day (2005 - ) Mentoring Showcase Club Caramba Venue Outreach (2001 - 2005) Rhythmix (2001 - 2004) World Wide Worlds/Activate project (2003/2004) Black Voices Community Performance (2002) Carnival Sound (2000 - 2001) Kick & Drum (1999 - 2000) Tablas, Tala and Trees (1998 - 1999) Archiving the Music World (1998 - 1999)

back to archive list Notes from Underground This was a very exciting and innovative project with young people from St John’s Catholic School Kent, and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers supported by the KRAN at Riverside Project in Canterbury. The project involved a series of self esteem raising and confidence boosting, participatory music and arts workshops between March and May 2007, in the KingR17;s Wood, an area of ancient woodland located at Challock between Faversham and Ashford in Kent. The project was a very successful collaboration between Stour Valley Arts and MfC, and hopefully will be the first of many. Stour Valley Arts are based in the King’s Wood, and aim to increase awareness and enjoyment of contemporary art while encouraging greater interest in the environment The young people worked with MfC artist Lucky Moyo from Zimbabwe and visual artist Martin Brockman, in the Wood, using materials and inspiration they encountered. They invented, designed and built sound structures and musical instruments, and then devised a performance piece. This was presented at a highly successful interactive performance event on 19th May that was open to the public. The participants excelled themselves in producing remarkable sound structures , and presenting a highly enjoyable and unique performance. We will now develop materials gathered during the project into a web page recording the achievements The project was funded by Awards for all, and Kent County Council Rural Revival Fund, to whom we are very grateful. logos.

back to archive list Cricket Roots This was an exciting and dynamic Music for Change project in collaboration with Canterbury Cathedral Archives, Kent County Cricket Club, and The Royal Museum and Art Gallery Canterbury, combining music and Heritage research. The project was run over the spring and summer of 2007. The project took 14 young people aged 14-18, from diverse backgrounds and supported them to work as a team to research and document the lives of black and Asian cricketers from Kent County Cricket Club. They worked at Kent County Cricket Club, at the The Spitfire Studies Centre, supported by their Cricket Development Team, and a Genealogist from Canterbury Cathedral Archives. Having identified cricketers, they researched the countries and cultures from which they came and were introduced to the cultures of the countries of origin through the music, song and dance of those countries in workshops run by Music for Change artists from those countries. They then put on an exhibition/performance showcase to display their research findings, and performed songs, percussion and dance that they have learnt from those countries. The project was managed and coordinated by Douglas Noble - Community Projects Manager, douglas@musicforchange.org. The lead artist was Alexander D’Great - Calypsonian from Trinidad The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Canterbury City Council

back to archive list Eat to the Beat Eat to the Beat is a project that aimed to educate both school children, school staff and local community groups about the benefits of healthy eating – both the short and long term effects. Through West African drumming and dance and Caribbean Calypso workshops, participants learned together in a fun and innovative way in order to achieve beneficial change in attitude towards food, and make it a fun positive experience. Eat to the Beat targeted disadvantaged groups/areas within the community. Working on the government’s long term aims for better eating habits in schools and at homes, Eat to the Beat addressed issues at a local level, exploring food and its effect on the body and the mind. The project explored eating habits from Africa and the Caribbean, making the workshops culturally diverse and unique. Participants were encouraged to compare eating habits in the U.K to those of other countries, as well as look at the many similarities that exist. Eat to the Beat aimed to encourage community cohesion and a sense of ‘belonging’, through 100% participatory workshops. Healthy eating affects everyone, and through a topic that is relevant to all, the project aimed to unite families and local groups to work and learn together. For more information on how Eat to the Beat could be delivered in your school or community setting, please contact nadine@musicforchange.org Eat to the Beat was funded by the Co-operative Community Dividend fund.

back to archive list Calypso Clean Up! Raising awareness of environmental issues through fun and participatory arts based workshops. With funding from Rural Revival fast track grant http://extranet3.kent.gov.uk/sp/rural_revival/index.html Music for Change was able to produce an environmental project in April/May 2006 based on recycling and green issues in primary and junior schools. Visiting eight primary schools and two local youth clubs, Calypso Clean Up! consisted of workshops that highlighted the need to think green and act green in Dover. Led by the charismatic Calypso virtuoso Alexander D’Great, Calypso Clean Up! targeted areas that, according to Dover District Council Recycling Officer Anne Bentley, were falling behind national recycling targets set by the government. It aimed to highlight the need for greater community participation in recycling waste, raise awareness of the environmental issues facing communities locally and globally, and encourage people to work together towards achieving a better, sustainable environment for future generations. Alexander has extensive experience in leading issues based workshops both in schools and community settings, and has been Calypsonian in residence for the BBC since 2000. With his ability to produce songs on any chosen subject, Alexander was more than able to help participants think about the environment and produce a song relating to the issue. Suitable for KS2 and above, Calypso Clean Up! can be taken anywhere else in the country. It can also be taken into businesses, local community groups, youth centres, to conservation trusts, and so on. "…performer was excellent musically, performance wise, communicatively. The mix of enjoyment, performing and learning mixed very well… Children have been more aware of recycling and green issues" Lydden Primary School "It allowed children to think seriously about the effect of other people’s actions" St Martin’s School. "They learnt to have fun with the issues of the environment/Calypso" Archers Court School. "The 'Calypso Clean Up!’ workshops have been perfect – everyone who has taken part have gone away buzzing with enthusiasm for the environment and recycling". Anna Bentley. Recycling Services Officer. Dover District Coucil. If you are interested in booking Calypso Clean Up! for your school contact nadine@musicforchange.org

back to archive list Story telling and Acrobatics - Whitstable Tea Gardens (2006) Whitstable Tea Gardens - Tower Hill - Whitstable Sunday 3rd Sept - 2.30-4.30 FREE Emmanuel the Magnificent Okine and new artist Surya Turner - Ghanaian acrobatics and Jamaican story telling in idyllic garden setting over-looking the sea. The Sun broke through on our final event of Summer 2006 in the Tea Gardens Whitstable on Sunday 3rd September. The audience of over 160 people were enthralled by the captivating tales from story teller Surya Turner, featuring a whole cast of colourful and cheeky characters, some of whom were enthusiastically brought to life by members of the audience. Emmanuel the Magnificent followed on with a breath-taking display of acrobatics, juggling and bowl spinning, with the support of some very willing helpers from the crowd. A big thank you to all who attended and took part, to Melanie and her hard working team in the Tea Hut, and to Canterbury City Council for making it possible.

back to archive list Oyster Beats at the Whitstable Oyster Festival (2006) As part of the annual Oyster Festival celebrating the oyster harvest, we delivered a very successful day of community activities. During the day there were workshops for all ages on West African djembe drumming, West African dance, Afro-Cuban percussion and circus skills. These were led by Music for Change facilitators, Usifu Jalloh from Sierra Leone, Landing Mané from Senegal, Jorge Santo from Argentina and Emmanuel Okine from Ghana. Over 70 people aged from 8 to 60 took part in the workshops. A great time was had by all, as reflected in the feedback comments below. Some of the workshop participants then took part in a showcase performance in the Town Square outside the Horsebridge Arts Centre to show off what they had learnt. An estimated audience of 200 enjoyed some wonderful dancing and music in the glorious sunshine. It was very impressive to see what people had learnt in such a short time. In the evening the Horsebridge hosted a double bill concert by Maambena and Cosa Latina, groups featuring artists who had led the workshops sessions during the day. It was a storming gig with an audience of 150 crammed into the performance space. Everyone was up and dancing from start to finish, despite tropical temperatures, and both groups delivered dynamic virtuoso performances. A big thank you all who attended and took part. Oyster beats was made possible with the support of Canterbury City Council “It was the best night I’ve ever had” Audience member from evening concert “Learnt great rhythms, and how to play the mother drum. Great fun. Very inspiring workshop leader.” Participant in Djembe workshop “It was great to enjoy the vibrancy of the music here in Whitstable, as well as participate in the form of the workshop” Afro-Cuban percussion workshop participant

back to archive list The Global Cultural Day (2006) As part of the Safe and Sound project, Music for Change, in partnership with Migrant Helpline and Kent Refugee Support Group, held a number of events in Refugee Week which culminated in a Global Cultural Day.	Kent Refugee Support Group

back to archive list Specially commissioned Make it Real Calypso (2006) by Music for Change artist Alexander D'Great On Tuesday 25th July Music for Change artist Alexander D'Great performed a brand new specially commissioned Make it Real Calypso at Orange Street Music Club Canterbury. The event was a party to mark the end of the Make it Real programme, under which 19 different arts and music projects received funding from the Arts Council England through its Urban Cultural Programme, and supported by Canterbury City Council. Music for Change took part in the programme, delivering the Global Weekend across the Canterbury District in November 2005. Make It Real (Alexander D. Great 20/7/06) Verse 1 "Make It Real" has created nineteen projects for the people living in East Kent. The Millennium Commission and Arts Council provided money which has been well spent. Local people enjoyed new experiences Paint a picture, write a song or do a dance Make your own giant or sing an opera Build new "friend ships" if you get the chance. Then add Global Outreach Much to learn, also much to teach And Fish Symphony stories on the beach. Chorus Make it real and express the way you feel What potential could your efforts reveal? From art gallery to great poetry Hands across the sea, Kent's community Is riding an international Ferris wheel That's how we make it real. Verse 2 "Inscribing The Island" was first to show In October two thousand and four Rapper Crisis worked in two secondary schools Blending rap, soul, poetry and much more. Both Joan Amin-Adoo and Elly Niland Helped children to create their own voice. Later poets from France Belgium and Ireland Performed "Words Unbound" in their language of choice In a town in each country Beuvry, Namur and then Tralee New and established writers were heard in East Kent for free. Verse 3 The Friend Ship carried a cargo of art works through ten cities including Canterbury The ship's chest had some new "Canterbury Tales", Poems about people living there currently. "Promised Land" is an opera about coal miners Who came down from Scotland, Wales and the North When the coal fields shut in 1987 Four thousand families' anguish poured forth. Two Hundred local people will take part Performing with passion and heart Reminding us how prejudices can start. Verse 4 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart came here at the age of nine. To Bourne Park for a public concert - it's said, But when the time came for him to play the piano He'd gone off to the races instead. Pramadeus and Mozart Now was a huge project Involving conductors, choirs and musicians. Music was played for all ages to enjoy And included many organisations. In East Kent two Giants awaken Traditions have not been forsaken Folk imagination has overtaken. Verse 5 Canterbury had a People's Festival Where all art forms were seen on the streets. Young and old caught the spirit and joined the fun Painting faces or dancing to beats. "Global Weekend" was put on by Music For Change Artists from the Caribbean, India and Africa, Telling stories on a bus, Dholl drummers and Bhangra With some South African singing A Capella. More projects than I can mention Must be drawn to your attention Check out the website before you draw your pension. back to Alexander's page

back to archive list Global Outreach & Global Weekend (2005) Celebrating and raising awareness of cultural diversity through music, performance and the arts. “My spirit was lifted through singing all the wonderful songs and performing in the Cathedral” Participant-Global weekend 2005 Following on from the success of the Global Bandstand one-day event, we presented a unique weekend programme, combining live music, dance, storytelling, art and craft workshops, with artists from India, various African countries and the Caribbean. This international programme took place in a variety of venues and locations across the Canterbury District from Friday 4th November to Sunday, 6 November 2005. As well as an amazing line up of professional acts and great entertainment, we worked with local schools and community groups through a programme of arts and music workshops to encourage participation and raise awareness of global cultures. The weekend saw a Southern African a capella singing workshop and performance in Canterbury Cathedral, Jamaican and Gambian story telling on a bus, and Indian and Southern African dance workshops delivered to delighted shoppers in the Whitefriars Shopping Centre. We presented top-class performances, including a night of African music from Emmanuel Jal, ex-child soldier and rapper from the Sudan, and Senegalese Kora maestro Seckou Keita, and energetic North Indian Dholl drumming from Four By Four Bhangra. Contact Douglas Noble, Community Project Officer-Music for Change

back to archive list Mentee Day (2005 - ) Mentoring Showcase Monday 12th December saw the mentoring showcase take place at St Peters Methodist Church Hall, Canterbury. Download further details about the mentees taking part and the mentoring scheme in general.

back to archive list Club Caramba Club ¡Caramba! is Music for Change's regular Saturday club, held in the heart of Canterbury , featuring: music dance arts workshops from around the world Run in the spring and autumn of every year, each month transports participants to a different region. Renowned for its festival and family-friendly atmosphere, the club has created a distinctive space for visitors to experience, first hand, the vibrant music and cultures of the world and has established a reputation for bringing world-class performers and artists to Kent . To date, destinations have included India , Zimbabwe, Cuba, Spain, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Bulgaria, Iraq, Senegal, Ireland Jamaica and Ghana. Club¡Caramba! is organised by Music for Change in association with Canterbury City Council and the Marlowe Theatre, this event is being funded by Youth Music to encourage the wider community to enjoy participatory music-making.

back to archive list Venue Outreach (2001 - 2005) Linked to the Gulbenkian Theatre's programme of culturally diverse theatre and music performances, Music for Change organised a range of educational and outreach activities to encourage new and diverse audiences to experience high quality acts. Among the events were a range of workshops for local schools and community groups, including storytelling from around the world at St Stephen's Primary School; a Zimbabwean music and mbira workshop at a community venue; and a hip-hop session at the Prince of Wales' Youth Centre. The project was collaboration between the Gulbenkian Theatre and Music for Change and was funded by The Children's Fund and Arts Council England. Areas covered included rock, pop and DJing (Project X), DJing and Asian Dhol drumming (Dessi Crew), Hip Hop DJing and breakdancing (The Grill) and DJ, rap and sampling (Raw Material). The groups all brought different skills to the project and overall the feedback was extremely positive. Riverside and Prince of Wales youth clubs are aiming to start up regular music groups following the project and Querns is also keen to be involved.

back to archive list Rhythmix (2001 - 2004) Rhythmix was a music education initiative set up by county council-run music services in East Sussex, Medway, Surrey and Brighton and Hove. Following a successful application to the DfEE Standards Fund, Rhythmix developed access to areas currently on the margins of the music service mainstream work, particularly rock, pop, jazz, world and other ethnic music, across the South East region. The project was incredibly successful, with young people participating and working towards a recording or performance.

back to archive list World Wide Worlds/Activate project (2003/2004) World Wide Words was literacy-based; primarily targeting boys' literacy. Its core aims, along with improving literacy standards, was to promote young people's confidence and motivation, through the use of stories, songs, music and dance and to raise awareness of global citizenship by highlighting cultural similarities while combating negative stereotypes. The young people involved spent one day per week working with Music for Change artists George Fiawoo (Ghana), Alexander D'Great (Trinidad) and Lucky Moyo (Zimbabwe), researching the various countries, as well as writing songs, raps and scripts and learning dances. The project culminated in a showcase performance at the Brook Theatre in Chatham in February 2004. World Wide Words was supported by Medway Council's Arts Team and funding was provided by Medway Council's Arts Team and Education Team: Great Expectations - One and All

back to archive list Black Voices Community Performance (2002) Music for Change brought Black Voices, one of the leading a cappella groups in Britain, to Canterbury to work with young people in St Nicholas and Orchards Special Schools, Thanington after-school club and at Riverside Youth Centre throughout January and February 2002. These workshops introduced young people to a varied and inspiring mix of vocal music and culminated with a performance at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, with the young people performing alongside Black Voices

back to archive list Carnival Sound (2000 - 2001) Carnival Sound was an innovative and exciting initiative led by Music for Change, working in conjunction with local community musician Peter Cook and IOTA, a Thanet-based celebratory arts group. Based in the heart of Margate and Ramsgate, the project worked with the local community to inspire young people through carnival arts. The project was to culminate in taking part in exuberant and vibrant carnival processions. The project mixed the best of local and global talent, bringing together renowned musicians from different cultures to work with young people in the area. Over the course of 18 months, Carnival Sound organised: Regular free Carnival Clubs in the centre of Ramsgate, Margate and Minster Drop-in sessions for anyone to have a go at music and artwork across the district Workshops in youth groups, community centres, church halls and schools Performances by acclaimed musicians on the streets of Thanet Dynamic community performances as part of local festivals and carnivals. Carnival Sound proved to be a hugely successful project, involving approximately 3,800 young people in workshops. It reached an estimated audience of 45,000 people. The project included: Hundreds of young people making their own costumes and playing carnival rhythms in traditional carnivals in Margate, Ramsgate and Minster Ten-piece band on tour from Ghana parading and running a workshops at Minster Flower Show Latin-American big band playing at the opening ceremony of Carnival Sound and at the Ramsgate School Zimbabwean mbira queen Virginia Mukwesha leading a carnival club in Ramsgate Samba band running instrument-making workshops and performing with young people on Newington estate playday Line of Life performance at the Winter Gardens, Margate, featuring costumes and 60 children performing with a UK folk band and an African dance group to a crowd of more than 500. The Carnival Sound project formed one part of Thanet Youth Music Action Zone (now Pie Factory Music). It aimed to target a wide range of music-making opportunities for children and young people up to the age of 18 years, living in areas of social and economic need. Feedback on Carnival Sound: "I just want to thank all of the members of Carnival Sound for the wonderful work they have carried out at Concorde youth centre over the last few weeks. The level of artwork was outstanding; it allowed the members to create from their own imaginations what might have otherwise remained unrealised The supplying of both instruments and instruction was also outstanding in the way it allowed our members the chance to create some wonderful sounds. I can say without hesitation that both the members of Concorde and its staff have benefited greatly from their interaction with the Carnival Sound team. I would also like to thank Carnival Sound for the way in which they made every effort to interact with our members on every required level. It was a pleasure working with such a professional body of people and I hope that the young people of Concorde and I gain the opportunity to work alongside Carnival sound in the future. Once again, may I offer my sincere gratitude for all of your hard work." 5 out of 5 (5/5) Bill McMillan (youth leader) Concorde Youth Centre "Thank you very much for your assistance on Playday (Marquee in park featuring music and costume workshops and performances from Batanai Marimba from Zimbabwe). The event was a great success, due in no small part to your efforts - with over 300 children having a great time and enjoying the event tremendously. Thanks a lot - you really brought something new to Playday and the Northdown Park ward. Thanet Community Development Project /Children's Society Carnival was great. My mum was so impressed she's promised to take us to Notting Hill Carnival This was brilliant, can we do it again tomorrow?" Young person following Margate Carnival "Peter (Cook) taught us that we had to listen as well as look at the music. The final performance was "well good" and the children gave it 10/10 It is difficult to improve Peter Cook's performance and involvement. His teaching is exemplary - a real inspiration. My only regret is that Peter cannot be with us more!" Head Teacher, Minster School "Once again thank you all for making our fun day a success (West African drumming and dance with Usifu Jalloh and Maambena). A number of weeks later we asked the children what they wanted to do for a party, did they want a disco? No, all of them said that they wanted the musicians who had performed at Playday to come back. " Ellen Ferney-Hough, Newington Residents Association "I learnt that everybody admires a performer, that once you get over your nervousness it is great fun. The greater your participation, the greater your fulfilment." Participant (13) in the Line of Life Performance "I learnt not to be afraid" Participant (12) in the Line of Life Performance The Margate Carnival Club is still running on a weekly basis. For more information, see Pie Factory Music at www.piefactorymusic.com

back to archive list Kick and Drum (1999 - 2000) The Kick and Drum project was kicked off by Music for Change in 1999. It was run in association with CARE (Charlton Athletic Race Equality) and Emergency Exit Arts. The project culminated in a spectacular arts event at Charlton Athletic's home ground, The Valley, at their game against Huddersfield Town on Friday 14 April in front of 17,000 fans and SKY TV. Performances before the game and during half-time featured more than 200 young people from across Greenwich and Kent encapsulated the atmosphere and philosophy of Kick and Drum: namely a positive and fun celebration of all cultures. After assembling a top-notch team of music, dance and visual artists, ably led by Caribbean maestro H Patten, the project linked artists with local schools and youth centres. Weekly sessions took place over four months. These sessions featured West African percussion and dance (run by a solid back pairing of Usifu Jalloh and George Fiawoo), Brazilian Samba and dance (led by midfield dynamos Dave Willetts and Caron Temple) and finished off with banner and costume-making (clinically despatched by Clare Johnson and Sanbjit Natt). Working with young people from age eight to 18 years, these sessions were a positive example of people working and learning together. The young people showed tremendous enthusiasm and ability both in the workshops and on the final day. Prior to the big day, there were fears the good, old British weather would ruin things. The dress rehearsal, held a week before the final performance, was washed out with rain, hail and snow - and that was in April! Thankfully, on the day the clouds gathered but no downpour. From the spectacular carnival procession from Charlton House to Charlton's ground, and the performances outside the ground, to the half-time performance, the artists and participants excelled. The message from the night - and the project as a whole - is that no matter what our race, colour or creed, we all enjoy a volley hitting the back of the net and can all sing together with one voice. A number of follow-up events took place during that summer, including Carnival 365 at Eltham Green School, Greenwich Anti-Racist Festival at Plumstead Common and a presentation at the WOMAD festival in Reading. The project took place in four schools: Claremont Primary School (Tunbridge Wells), Danecourt Special School (Gillingham), Belwood Junior School (Maidstone) and Davington Primary School (Nr Faversham). Following preparation work and the production of resources, workshops took place over two days Music for Change plan (in association with Charlton Athletic Race Equality) to continue the project working with arts, anti-racism and football. Project Outcomes: The Kick and Drum performance was the largest anti-racist event ever held at a football club in the UK. Seven schools and two youth groups from across Greenwich and Kent participated in the project. More than 250 children and young people, aged nine to 17-years-old, worked with professional artists over a three-month period, gaining new skills and confidence in dance, music and visual arts West African and Brazilian percussion and dance, Indian visual arts, and Carnival costume-making were taught in schools and youth groups - often for the first time. The project included a launch (attended by more than 100 people at The Valley), a teachers INSET day and provision of education resources. A carnival procession of more than 200 participants paraded through the streets of Charlton and performed around the ground prior to kick-off. 300 tickets were offered free to parents, teachers, and community groups for the game. More than 17,000 fans watched and supported the local children and young people as they performed at half-time. 1,120,000 viewed the event live on Sky TV. Follow-up performances/workshops took place throughout the summer, including at Carnival 365, the Greenwich Anti-Racist Festival and WOMAD "The colourful carnival procession, the wonderful synchronised dancing and drumming, the delight in the faces of the young participants and the huge audience of football supporters created a truly international celebration. The Kick and Drum event was a fitting and unforgettable part of the UK Wide Millennium Festival and the Millennium Commission is proud to have supported it." Jackie Mulligan, Millennium Festival Manager "The most successful Red, White and Black event ever." Ben Tegg, Kick It Out, an anti-racist organisation which works within football "The Kick and Drum initiative was a great success and the bumper crowd thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular colour and music which lit up the Valley. It was tremendous to see so many young people participating in this year's event and millions more tuned in to the extensive coverage on Sky Television, which was an excellent advert for the aims and objectives of the CARE Partnership". Peter Varney, Managing Director Charlton Athletic FC "A wonderfully vibrant performance…Considerable credit is due to everyone who played a part in bringing the whole multicultural community together in a most positive anti-racist environment at The Valley." Harcourt Alleyne, Head of Social Inclusion and Justice Division, Greenwich Council

back to archive list Tablas, Tala and Trees (1998 - 1999) The project also hoped to encourage young people to think positively about the environment and their own role in its conservation, as well as increasing their understanding and respect for Indian culture and its people. The project took place in four schools: Claremont Primary School (Tunbridge Wells), Danecourt Special School (Gillingham), Belwood Junior School (Maidstone) and Davington Primary School (Nr Faversham). Following preparation work and the production of resources, workshops took place over two days in the four schools. The work was split into two parts: Sujarta Banerjee was working with a group of musicians (on sitar and tablas) and ran a series of workshops based on environmental traditions, stories and dance in Northern India. Isobel Perry and Clare Barden, meanwhile, made global issues relevant to young people in Kent through games and activities. The two days were concluded with a special performance by artists and pupils to an audience of teachers, pupils and parents. More than 240 young people participated in the workshops and performances at each school, while more than 800 pupils participated and watched the assembly presentations and final performances. The young people involved spent one day per week working with Music for Change artists George Fiawoo (Ghana), Alexander D'Great (Trinidad) and Lucky Moyo (Zimbabwe), researching the various countries, as well as writing songs, raps and scripts and learning dances. The project culminated in a showcase performance at the Brook Theatre in Chatham in February 2004. World Wide Words was supported by Medway Council's Arts Team and funding was provided by Medway Council's Arts Team and Education Team: Great Expectations - One and All (LPSA)

back to archive list Archiving the Music World (1998 - 1999) Music for Change, in tandem with the International Music Collection at the British Library National Sound Archive, embarked on a unique worldwide project in 1998. Our aim was to compile a database of national collections of recorded music. 'Archiving the Music World' project (AMW) began in September with the aim of documenting the existence of sound recording collections, particularly in the developing world. Along with compiling the database we wanted to highlight the condition of the recordings, their status and accessibility, and plans for their preservation. The first stage was to send out 750 questionnaires to music archivists throughout Africa, Latin America, Asia, eastern Europe and Australia/Oceania. The responses provided a fascinating insight into the wealth of music out there. Music archives are crucial for preserving a nation's musical heritage for posterity. Moreover, they provide an untapped, rich educational resource, containing unique field recordings that would be impossible to replace or reproduce. In many of the developing countries we surveyed it was found that archives were in real danger of being lost through lack of funding, resources and expertise. Also of concern was an apparent lack of formal structures for preservation of sound recordings; they were either non-existent or very new. Overall, the research revealed the vast differences in available resources, not only from country to country, but also region-to-region and archive-to-archive. In Ghana, for example, the archive at the International Centre for African Music and Dance has most of the facilities an archive could hope for. These include adequate shelving, air-conditioning and humidity- controlled rooms, as well as recording/playback and computer equipment. The privately funded Gramophone Record Museum and Research Centre near Cape Coast, on the other hand, has unique recordings on rare shellac discs which are in sleeveless heaps and have been played time and again on an old gramophone machine for want of better equipment and facilities. One positive finding was that most collection keepers surveyed strongly expressed the need to preserve their national musical heritage. This meant not only conserving existing audio documents, but also by active collection of endangered musical traditions in the field. However, against this recognition that something needed to be done, was the reality of problems of funding and the lack of facilities which limited their ability to carry out this work. The AMW survey has proved invaluable in giving a detailed overview of the world's archived musical heritage. The work is being continued by the International Music Collection, an organisation that sees this research as the first step towards initiating a wider research project. Copies of the final report are still available - please email Music for Change for details

This page provides an outline of past projects. Please click where indicated for a more detailed summary.

Notes from Underground

The project was a very successful collaboration between Stour Valley Arts and MfC, and hopefully will be the first of many. Stour Valley Arts are based in the King’s Wood, and aim to increase awareness and enjoyment of contemporary art while encouraging greater interest in the environment

We will now develop materials gathered during the project into a web page recording the achievements

The project was funded by Awards for all, and Kent County Council Rural Revival Fund, to whom we are very grateful.

Cricket Roots

This was an exciting and dynamic Music for Change project in collaboration with Canterbury Cathedral Archives, Kent County Cricket Club, and The Royal Museum and Art Gallery Canterbury, combining music and Heritage research. The project was run over the spring and summer of 2007.

The project was managed and coordinated by Douglas Noble - Community Projects Manager, douglas@musicforchange.org. The lead artist was Alexander D’Great - Calypsonian from Trinidad

The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Canterbury City Council

Eat to the Beat

Eat to the Beat is a project that aimed to educate both school children, school staff and local community groups about the benefits of healthy eating – both the short and long term effects.

Through West African drumming and dance and Caribbean Calypso workshops, participants learned together in a fun and innovative way in order to achieve beneficial change in attitude towards food, and make it a fun positive experience.

Eat to the Beat targeted disadvantaged groups/areas within the community. Working on the government’s long term aims for better eating habits in schools and at homes, Eat to the Beat addressed issues at a local level, exploring food and its effect on the body and the mind.

The project explored eating habits from Africa and the Caribbean, making the workshops culturally diverse and unique. Participants were encouraged to compare eating habits in the U.K to those of other countries, as well as look at the many similarities that exist.

Eat to the Beat aimed to encourage community cohesion and a sense of ‘belonging’, through 100% participatory workshops. Healthy eating affects everyone, and through a topic that is relevant to all, the project aimed to unite families and local groups to work and learn together.

For more information on how Eat to the Beat could be delivered in your school or community setting, please contact nadine@musicforchange.org

Eat to the Beat was funded by the Co-operative Community Dividend fund.

Calypso Clean Up!

Raising awareness of environmental issues through fun and participatory arts based workshops.

With funding from Rural Revival fast track grant http://extranet3.kent.gov.uk/sp/rural_revival/index.html Music for Change was able to produce an environmental project in April/May 2006 based on recycling and green issues in primary and junior schools.

Visiting eight primary schools and two local youth clubs, Calypso Clean Up! consisted of workshops that highlighted the need to think green and act green in Dover.

Led by the charismatic Calypso virtuoso Alexander D’Great, Calypso Clean Up! targeted areas that, according to Dover District Council Recycling Officer Anne Bentley, were falling behind national recycling targets set by the government.

It aimed to highlight the need for greater community participation in recycling waste, raise awareness of the environmental issues facing communities locally and globally, and encourage people to work together towards achieving a better, sustainable environment for future generations.

Suitable for KS2 and above, Calypso Clean Up! can be taken anywhere else in the country. It can also be taken into businesses, local community groups, youth centres, to conservation trusts, and so on.

"…performer was excellent musically, performance wise, communicatively. The mix of enjoyment, performing and learning mixed very well… Children have been more aware of recycling and green issues" Lydden Primary School

"It allowed children to think seriously about the effect of other people’s actions" St Martin’s School.

"They learnt to have fun with the issues of the environment/Calypso" Archers Court School.

"The 'Calypso Clean Up!’ workshops have been perfect – everyone who has taken part have gone away buzzing with enthusiasm for the environment and recycling". Anna Bentley. Recycling Services Officer. Dover District Coucil.

If you are interested in booking Calypso Clean Up! for your school contact nadine@musicforchange.org

Story telling and Acrobatics - Whitstable Tea Gardens (2006)

Whitstable Tea Gardens - Tower Hill - Whitstable Sunday 3rd Sept - 2.30-4.30 FREE

Emmanuel the Magnificent Okine and new artist Surya Turner - Ghanaian acrobatics and Jamaican story telling in idyllic garden setting over-looking the sea.

Emmanuel the Magnificent followed on with a breath-taking display of acrobatics, juggling and bowl spinning, with the support of some very willing helpers from the crowd.

A big thank you to all who attended and took part, to Melanie and her hard working team in the Tea Hut, and to Canterbury City Council for making it possible.

Oyster Beats at the Whitstable Oyster Festival (2006)

As part of the annual Oyster Festival celebrating the oyster harvest, we delivered a very successful day of community activities.

Oyster beats was made possible with the support of Canterbury City Council

“It was the best night I’ve ever had” Audience member from evening concert

“Learnt great rhythms, and how to play the mother drum. Great fun. Very inspiring workshop leader.” Participant in Djembe workshop

“It was great to enjoy the vibrancy of the music here in Whitstable, as well as participate in the form of the workshop” Afro-Cuban percussion workshop participant

The Global Cultural Day (2006)

As part of the Safe and Sound project, Music for Change, in partnership with Migrant Helpline and Kent Refugee Support Group, held a number of events in Refugee Week which culminated in a Global Cultural Day.

Specially commissioned Make it Real Calypso (2006) by Music for Change artist Alexander D'Great

Make It Real (Alexander D. Great 20/7/06)

Chorus Make it real and express the way you feel What potential could your efforts reveal? From art gallery to great poetry Hands across the sea, Kent's community Is riding an international Ferris wheel That's how we make it real.

Global Outreach & Global Weekend (2005)

Celebrating and raising awareness of cultural diversity through music, performance and the arts.

“My spirit was lifted through singing all the wonderful songs and performing in the Cathedral” Participant-Global weekend 2005

As well as an amazing line up of professional acts and great entertainment, we worked with local schools and community groups through a programme of arts and music workshops to encourage participation and raise awareness of global cultures.

Contact Douglas Noble, Community Project Officer-Music for Change

Mentee Day (2005 - ) Mentoring Showcase

Monday 12th December saw the mentoring showcase take place at St Peters Methodist Church Hall, Canterbury.

Download further details about the mentees taking part and the mentoring scheme in general.

Club Caramba

Club ¡Caramba! is Music for Change's regular Saturday club, held in the heart of Canterbury , featuring:

To date, destinations have included India , Zimbabwe, Cuba, Spain, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Bulgaria, Iraq, Senegal, Ireland Jamaica and Ghana.

Club¡Caramba! is organised by Music for Change in association with Canterbury City Council and the Marlowe Theatre, this event is being funded by Youth Music to encourage the wider community to enjoy participatory music-making.

Venue Outreach (2001 - 2005)

Linked to the Gulbenkian Theatre's programme of culturally diverse theatre and music performances, Music for Change organised a range of educational and outreach activities to encourage new and diverse audiences to experience high quality acts.

Among the events were a range of workshops for local schools and community groups, including storytelling from around the world at St Stephen's Primary School; a Zimbabwean music and mbira workshop at a community venue; and a hip-hop session at the Prince of Wales' Youth Centre.

The project was collaboration between the Gulbenkian Theatre and Music for Change and was funded by The Children's Fund and Arts Council England.

Areas covered included rock, pop and DJing (Project X), DJing and Asian Dhol drumming (Dessi Crew), Hip Hop DJing and breakdancing (The Grill) and DJ, rap and sampling (Raw Material).

The groups all brought different skills to the project and overall the feedback was extremely positive. Riverside and Prince of Wales youth clubs are aiming to start up regular music groups following the project and Querns is also keen to be involved.

Rhythmix (2001 - 2004)

World Wide Worlds/Activate project (2003/2004)

The young people involved spent one day per week working with Music for Change artists George Fiawoo (Ghana), Alexander D'Great (Trinidad) and Lucky Moyo (Zimbabwe), researching the various countries, as well as writing songs, raps and scripts and learning dances.

The project culminated in a showcase performance at the Brook Theatre in Chatham in February 2004.

World Wide Words was supported by Medway Council's Arts Team and funding was provided by Medway Council's Arts Team and Education Team: Great Expectations - One and All

Black Voices Community Performance (2002)

Music for Change brought Black Voices, one of the leading a cappella groups in Britain, to Canterbury to work with young people in St Nicholas and Orchards Special Schools, Thanington after-school club and at Riverside Youth Centre throughout January and February 2002.

These workshops introduced young people to a varied and inspiring mix of vocal music and culminated with a performance at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, with the young people performing alongside Black Voices

Carnival Sound (2000 - 2001)

Carnival Sound was an innovative and exciting initiative led by Music for Change, working in conjunction with local community musician Peter Cook and IOTA, a Thanet-based celebratory arts group.

Based in the heart of Margate and Ramsgate, the project worked with the local community to inspire young people through carnival arts. The project was to culminate in taking part in exuberant and vibrant carnival processions.

The project mixed the best of local and global talent, bringing together renowned musicians from different cultures to work with young people in the area. Over the course of 18 months,

Carnival Sound organised:

The project included:

The Carnival Sound project formed one part of Thanet Youth Music Action Zone (now Pie Factory Music). It aimed to target a wide range of music-making opportunities for children and young people up to the age of 18 years, living in areas of social and economic need.

Feedback on Carnival Sound:

"I just want to thank all of the members of Carnival Sound for the wonderful work they have carried out at Concorde youth centre over the last few weeks. The level of artwork was outstanding; it allowed the members to create from their own imaginations what might have otherwise remained unrealised

"…performer was excellent musically, performance wise, communicatively. The mix of enjoyment, performing and learning mixed very well… Children have been more aware of recycling and green issues"
Lydden Primary School

"It allowed children to think seriously about the effect of other people’s actions"
St Martin’s School.

"They learnt to have fun with the issues of the environment/Calypso"
Archers Court School.

"The 'Calypso Clean Up!’ workshops have been perfect – everyone who has taken part have gone away buzzing with enthusiasm for the environment and recycling".
Anna Bentley. Recycling Services Officer. Dover District Coucil.

Whitstable Tea Gardens - Tower Hill - Whitstable
Sunday 3rd Sept - 2.30-4.30 FREE

“It was the best night I’ve ever had”
Audience member from evening concert

“Learnt great rhythms, and how to play the mother drum. Great fun. Very inspiring workshop leader.”
Participant in Djembe workshop

“It was great to enjoy the vibrancy of the music here in Whitstable, as well as participate in the form of the workshop”
Afro-Cuban percussion workshop participant

Chorus Make it real and express the way you feel
What potential could your efforts reveal?
From art gallery to great poetry
Hands across the sea, Kent's community
Is riding an international Ferris wheel
That's how we make it real.

“My spirit was lifted through singing all the wonderful songs and performing in the Cathedral”
Participant-Global weekend 2005

5 out of 5 (5/5)
Bill McMillan (youth leader) Concorde Youth Centre

The event was a great success, due in no small part to your efforts - with over 300 children having a great time and enjoying the event tremendously. Thanks a lot - you really brought something new to Playday and the Northdown Park ward.
Thanet Community Development Project /Children's Society

Carnival was great. My mum was so impressed she's promised to take us to Notting Hill Carnival
This was brilliant, can we do it again tomorrow?"