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The official newsletter of the lead organisation of Coventry Music Education Hub.
Follow us on Twitter and check out our website for all the latest news.
Included in this update:
For all the latest news visit our news page on our website.
2021/22 has been a hectic, musical journey that has had so many wonderful highlights. We have experienced lockdowns, online teaching, Jubilee, MOBO and City of Culture Performances, the move into our new home and launch of some truly inspiring new music groups with the West Midlands Inclusive Choir – Coventry branch, Creative Sounds and Junior Voices. Two of these groups sprang up as a response to our Summer 2021 youth voice survey and we are in the process of collating our most recent survey so that we can look to develop and adapt our offer city wide to fit the needs and interests of all young people.
As you will see in the newsletter, we have a very broad range of offers available to cater to every musical type, from Joe Cook’s work with those outside of mainstream schools creating beats and lyrics through to our wonderful Cultural Cantata with over 1000 young musicians taking part.
Coventry Music will still be delivering some programmes at venues across the city as part of the HAF programme and at Godiva Festival on Sunday 4 September – come and check out the Next Stage.
I would also like to thank all our team working across schools, community settings and in the office for all their hard work this year, parents and carers for supporting learning at home and at rehearsals, our school colleagues who support our events and regular teaching week in week out and finally the young musicians who have been phenomenal at seizing opportunities and showcasing their talents to the world.
Have a lovely summer and keep on making music
Mark Steele
Coventry Music Lead
Over 1200 children, 10 songs, 4 nights, 3 different venues!
Children from schools across Coventry took to the stage during the week beginning 27 June, to take part in the Coventry Cultural Cantata - a week long singing festival which saw over 1200 young people singing songs about the cultural and industrial history of Coventry.
The 10 specially commissioned songs were written by Coventry Music's own Kevin Stannard and his writing partner Rebecca Thompson and included songs about James Starley, Sir Frank Whittle and Lady Godiva - embracing a range of musical styles and genres, such as ragtime, blues, samba and musical theatre. There was also a nod to the rich and significant part Coventry has played over the years in the history of road transport with songs about both cars and bicycles.
Children from 24 primary schools and seven secondary schools came together across the four days for an afternoon of workshopping the music with a talented house band made up of a mixture of Coventry Music instrumental and vocal pupils, tutors and staff. Following each afternoon's workshop the doors were opened to delighted audiences for evening performances.
The roof was well and truly raised at Methodist Central Hall, Coventry Cathedral and Warwick Arts Centre's Butterworth Hall over the week by voices and instruments alike, and an enjoyable week of quality music making was enjoyed by all involved.
Feedback from schools, parents/carers and the young performers themselves has been positive and we are already looking forward to what might happen next year so watch this space.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the concert this week. It was full of energy and a joy to watch. - The family of one of our Year 13 band members
The children had an amazing time and loved the fact that their families were there to watch! I think it was an event they will remember with the added value of learning the history of their city! - Sidney Stringer Primary School Teacher
It was such a high-quality musical performance and an amazing experience for all the children. They came into school buzzing about their performance. - All Saints Primary School Teacher
I couldn't believe we were singing with a real live band - Year 5 pupil from Longford Park Primary School
*images and recordings taken at the events will be sent out to participating schools shortly
Over the past year Joe Cook, a musician, lyricist and music producer from Birmingham UK has worked as a resident artist as part of Coventry 2021 City of Culture’s CVX.
Joe was part of the CVX festival programme ‘Barriers To Bridges’ which saw Joe working across three different Extended Learning Centres (ELCs) in the city working with young people to create their own music and lyrics exploring various topics important to the young people such as the education system, mental health and youth violence. The end product is a series of music videos with visuals created by Jam-AV Media and audio mixed by Jake Cunningham. Joe has received further funding for continuation of this project and is still creating content with young people in the ELCs.
Each track has been engineered by Jake Cunningham and visuals created by Jam-AV Media Productions.
Joe is continuing to work with young people in the ELCs to create more musical and visual content to be part of the ‘Barriers to Bridges Project’.
Watch the videos: Joe Cook: Barriers to Bridges - Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 (coventry2021.co.uk)
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The string ensemble took a major part in the performances of our Cultural Cantata at Warwick Arts Centre this month.
They began the shows with a performance taken from Handel’s ‘Water Music’ and then performed as part of the Cultural Cantata songs.
"I was so proud of how they have developed not just their playing abilities over the summer term, but their discipline and musicianship skills; there aren’t many young players who are so responsive in an ensemble situation" Cathy Scott-Burt, Musical Director of the String groups
Harry - one of our guest players and currently principal cello with the National Youth Orchestra – was amazed by their responsiveness to a new musical situation and spoke warmly of their great attitude and brilliant ensemble skills.
Several schools and audience members who sent us feedback were hugely impressed by the string ensemble’s “beautiful sound and really polished performance”.
String ensemble rehearsals will begin again in September and we would be really pleased to hear from any players between grade 3-6+ who would like come along and try out a rehearsal.
We are also very pleased to be starting our new Beginner String Group at Drapers’ Hall in September; this group will be for any young person playing a string instrument from complete beginner to around grade 2 standard. It will be a mix of age groups and all are welcome – we’ll be rehearsing on Tuesdays from 5 – 5:45pm, so do sign up on our website for either group if you’d like to come along or get in touch with Cathy to discuss further which group would be suitable.
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Coventry Music will be hosting a selection of young performers live on the Next Stage on Sunday 4 September from 1.25pm, including youngsters from Creative Optimistic Visions, Positive Youth Foundation, Live on Stage in partnership with the Tin Music and Arts, Coventry Music Session Band, a resident DJ and more. We would love it if you could come and join us and support our young performers, as well as see some other great acts in the fantastic line-up for 2022
13 Coventry schools took part in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in May. It was a lovely concert with three world premieres, including a brand new one hour work called 'It Takes a City'. The concert celebrated our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Commonwealth and the communities within it, in the presence of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and HRH Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
Schools who took part were:
- Allesley Primary School
- Caludon Castle School
- Cardinal Wiseman School
- Finham Park School
- Hearsall Community Academy
- Keresley Grange Primary Academy
- Moseley Primary School
- Sidney Stringer Academy
- Sidney Stringer Primary School
- St Anne's Catholic Primary School
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
- Stoke Park School
Watch the It Takes a City highlights video
Warwick-based education charity Armonico Consort, one of our hub partners, have done an exciting project with all 8 Coventry SEN schools this term:
Baginton Fields School
Castle Wood School
Corley Centre
Kingsbury School
Riverbank Academy
Sherbourne Fields School
Tiverton Special School
Woodfield School
Around 80 children with a range of educational needs took part in a performance of their own unique version of the classic fable “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Throughout the process, the children have been supported to write their own songs and to tell this familiar story in their own way, and they performed this work in the Albany Theatre, Coventry on Monday 11 July. Each school contributed a scene to the performance, with all the participants coming together to welcome the audience to the show and to say farewell in song at the end. There was much excitement on the night, especially when the pantomime cow made an appearance, and when the beanstalk grew right up to the ceiling! We were delighted that Central News came along in the morning to film some excerpts for the evening news broadcast.
Participating children were also offered the opportunity to be entered for Arts Council’s Discover Arts Award.
Feedback has been superb, including this lovely email from one of the schools:
"Hi Gaynor,
Thank you for all you help and organisation, it has been a dream to work with you all!!!! A massive thank you to William and Partick for their enthusiasm and support they have provided our students.
I met with all the schools yesterday, who were so overwhelmed and emotional about the performance and the opportunities it has provided our students. The parents could not thank you enough for the opportunity!
We have all said we would love the opportunity to work with you all again in the future!! "
Is your child moving to a new school this September?
If your child is moving up from Primary to Secondary or moving on to a college or further education then please let us know.
If you currently have lessons with us we can ensure your child's lessons continue smoothly.
If your child would like to learn a new instrument or start lessons, we can let you know what is on offer at your child's new school.
We are here to help and ensure all children have access to music across the city with no barriers.
Contact us at music@coventry.sch.uk
Coventry Music were pleased to host two young students to come and work with us during their work experience placements, to find out what it is like to work for Coventry Music and if it is something their would like to pursue as a career.
They got the opportunity to see what it's like to work in the the office at Drapers' Hall, what our music groups are like and the chance to support at some music workshops in schools.
Both students enjoy music and take part in city wide activities including at their schools and with us. We hope they enjoyed their experience and it inspires them to pursue a career in music.
Here is what they said about their experiences:
"The duration of my work experience has gave me an insight into what working at a company feels like. The start of my experience was at Grace Academy. At Grace I was observing how you teach musical instruments as I have only taught and assisted in vocals. I learnt that patience with inexperienced pupils will lead to success. I liked the way Coventry Music ambassadors were interacting with the kids.
At Drapers' Hall I gained an insight into what work happens behind the scenes. I learnt that a lot of work goes into making events happen such as workshops in schools. When attending Creative Sounds I was really surprised with how experimenting different musical elements could be so inspiring. It was a very interesting experience.
Sidney Stringer was my favourite day of the week. This is because I could get involved with the workshops. Since I was more comfortable with the different instruments I had a go. As well as this I could assist the children more as I could give then visual demonstrations they could follow.
Overall my time has been interesting. All the Coventry Music staff are hard working and passionate about what they do!"
Karin, Year 12, Stoke Park School
"Over the span of this week I have had several new experiences that have taught me new skills and shown me the realities of working orchestrally and with teaching.
In Grace Academy [I attended] ...a music workshop to support and assist the year 7s in learning an instrument. I was placed in a Violin workshop..., where groups of year 7s would cycle in and our of the workshop every 30 minutes or so to go to a new instrument.
The workshops were enjoyable, and a majority of the students were eager to learn and enjoy the violins and most of them eventually began to work and some even in a played in some healthy competition.
In Creative Sounds the kids were to play their instrument of choice in an improvisation exercise with us supporting them with our improvisation. The kids were quite adept at their instruments effectively improvising and adapting to the instrument’s melody and baseline. It was clear that they were passionate with their craft. In that workshop we did various different types of improvisation and they adapted to each and everyone.
Out of all of the days I would say [Sidney Stringer workshops were] ... my personal favourite. In this school I had attended multiple different workshops. The first workshop I had attended was a clarinet one where I was fortunate enough to actually be able to play one. We had learned the basics of clarinet, such as how to hold it, blow it and a few notes.
The final workshop I attended was an improvisational one where we had to improvise in a more orchestral fashion, the kids were shy to improvise on the spot, so to encourage them we had to do improvisation and singing which was suppose to show them it wasn’t as scary as they thought and It worked to a degree. Overall a very fun experience."
Jalil, Year 12, Stoke Park School
We would like to give a big well done to Esme who has successfully completed her apprenticeship and will now being joining our team full time as a senior administrator
Here is what Esme says about working for Coventry Music:
I started off as an Admin and Finance apprentice for the past 15 months for the department, since then I am now joining the team as a Senior Administrator. Day to day my tasks consist of processing invoices, raising purchase orders, responding, and sending email, responding to phone calls, checking tutor registers, assisting with any tutor finance queries and any general enquires. It’s a lovely environment to work in with such creative people and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
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Coventry Music is now settled into its beautiful new home at Drapers' Hall, and it is wonderful to hear the sound of music-making echoing through the corridors and around the building.
We have lots of different groups running currently for all ages and abilities.
- For beginners:
- we have a beginner brass group at Ravensdale school, open to all beginner brass players.
- and at Drapers' Hall we have a beginner ukulele group, for those interested in learning the ukulele and playing with others in a group.
- a Junior voices choir (ages 7-13) and a youth choir (ages 11+)
- and our excellent creative sounds music making group - an inclusive music group for all levels and abilities, where we come together to just enjoy making music.
- We also offer brass, wood wind and string options for intermediate players,
- As well great opportunities for more advanced players, for instance our session band and string quartet who appear at many venues and concerts throughout the year.
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Visit our website for full details of all the groups we offer.
We regularly showcase our groups, during sharing sessions with parents and Christmas and summer concerts. We perform at Godiva each year and often in the city centre.
We are inclusive, and provide fun, safe and rewarding places where children can develop their musical talents and learn to work with others in a group setting.
Sign up for one of our groups. Currently all our groups at Drapers' Hall are free.
Here is the new timetable for our groups from September 2022.
 
We are looking for talented drummers, bass guitar and singers for our Live on Stage Project starting in 2022. This is a fantastic year long project where you can learn about the music industry, form your own band and get the chance to perform to live audiences. Find out more and sign up on our website: Live on Stage Project.
Sign up now for lessons, ready to start in September.
All students who sign up for lessons before the start of the new academic year will receive a monthly discount.
Lessons start from £6 per lesson or £16.50 per month if signed up before September. More information and sign up.
We offer lessons in most instruments - either at your child's school, or where this isn't possible at our music centre - Drapers' Hall, in the city centre.
 Please note lessons are subject to availability and not all lessons will be able to be offered straight away. We will also do our best to accommodate your lesson choices where possible.
 Auditions to join the NCO 2023 programme will be open from Wednesday 8 June 2022 to 9am Tuesday 2 August 2022
Find out more.
 Ludic Room's summer programme called Roam & Dwell, started 17 June and runs until 19 August, every Friday for 10 weeks at 2pm - 6pm. This is an outdoors event based in the Canal Basin and we provide a wide range of activities every week that are free, open to the public and for all ages and abilities.
 Our Inclusive Soundabout Choir is now meeting face-to-face once a month and online fortnightly.
Everyone is welcome and there is chance for a cup of tea, some cake and a chat after the music making has finished.
This is what one of the parents said about the first Coventry meeting:
"We went to Soundabout's inclusive Choir for the first time last week. My son doesn't always enjoy music as he is very sensory with noises and sounds, but we thought we would give it a go.
From the moment we walked in we were made to feel so welcome. The girls made such an effort to include us all at whatever level we felt comfortable. My son loved exploring all the different kinds of instruments. Karen and Vicky had such a great way of keeping the children engaged and all joining in with the signing and singing.
When my son had had enough, he went to the corridor and had some time away from the group but it wasn't a problem. Vicky took him an instrument out and had a few minutes of 1:2:1 time with him. It was so lovely to be in an environment where the children were free to express themselves with no judgement, which as a SEN parent is priceless. It was a wonderful morning and I cannot wait for the next session."
The choir currently meets on zoom on alternate Saturdays from 11am-12noon. In the autumn the choir will also begin offering face to face sessions in Coventry.
See the choir’s most recent recording.
For more information visit our website or sign up.
choir@soundabout.org.uk 01235 797 474.
Esme our youngest member of the team has recommended this months "listen to this" song. It is a great summer tune that is great for singing along to, so enjoy this version with lyrics. One to listen to in the sunshine. Calvin Harris - "Thinking about you"
Visit our website for news, information and to find out more about what we offer.
If you would like these monthly updates to include what your organisation is doing for the children and young people of Coventry, please sign up or contact amy.randall@coventry.gov.uk.
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