The Creative Transitions programme is being delivered in Redcar, Darlington and Newcastle, building on our CoMusica (YMAZ) projects there, creatively researching children and young people’s relationships with music, musical activities, musical communities and their own musical identity at the transition stage, and using the outcomes of that research to develop models of delivery that build on and add value to those passions and sustain engagement.
New resources and focus have enabled deeper relationships with music services, extended schools, and more primary and secondary schools. In each project we’re developing youth-led research models to help teachers support young people’ s music making more effectively, and we’re training young people as music leaders.
Teacher comment from Redcar:
“That group you have just worked with have been one of the toughest groups I have ever had to teach, nothing seems to engage them and there they are totally engaged and singing with some of the ex-pupils from this school, I am really moved “
A really exciting dimension of the programme has been older students’ enthusiasm for sharing their skills and knowledge with younger people. KS4 students from Redcar Community College who’ve developed skills through several years involvement in the CoMusica programme have been helping to lead sessions with years 5 and 6 at nearby Dorrmanstown Primary school. This work was followed up with a leadership programme for those students, kicked off by a weekend in July when 15 young people worked alongside some of The Sage Gateshead’s trainee and apprentices, and experienced project leaders, exploring and practicing music leadership skills. Feedback from young people confirmed the weekend’s impact:
“working together and making music was great”
“I learnt not to be shy and to do my own thing”
“singing was good and joyful”
“the most fun I had was watching all the other team leaders giving so much energy to the rest of the group”
“it gave me confidence”
“thanks for a fantastic weekend and thanks for taking us”
Some of these young people are will be joining the Access to Excellence Redcar musician delivery team from September. Stuart Rees, Head Teacher at Redcar Community College says: “I am very pleased with the way the project has given pupils real aspirations and opportunities, particularly in a community where aspiration can be very low.”
Darlington Creative Transitions partners are starting to work with Year 5 and 6 pupils using film, recording and visual arts alongside music-making to explore the role of music in the school community and beyond. Over the next year this work will be developed into performances and installations created and presented by young people, celebrating music in their community. This programme is being kicked off by our Year 5/6 CoMusica percussion band, Pure Drumming who will lead lecture / demonstrations in the participating primary schools.
Also in Darlington, Hummersknott Secondary School and The Sage Gateshead are jointly employing a member of the music department working in and out of school alongside our CoMusica project leader. In Newcastle we’re working with the Music Service sharing experiences, staff, information, and resources, leading to joint delivery in primary and secondary classrooms.