Annie Whitehead & Kirkbymoorside Brass Band
The workshop was fantastic! Probably the best thing I have ever done! I learned how to play jazz!
This project provided the members of Kirkbymoorside Junior Brass Band with two full days of workshops led by Annie Whitehead (left) and two members of her band, Liam Genockey (drum kit) and Steve Lodder (keyboard).
Pied Piper was contacted by a tutor from Kirkbymoorside Brass Band following a weekend workshop led by Annie Whitehead in Kirkbymoorside for young jazz musicians. The tutor felt that the young people she worked with in the brass band would benefit from working alongside a professional musician and by introducing them to new instrumental techniques and approaches they would develop and enhance their musical skills - and this is exactly what happened!
I improved my confidence and ability to play a solo to a room full of peers.
The aim of these workshops was threefold:
1) To encourage young people in the band to explore different musical genres and approaches (jazz, improvisation and learning by ear)
2) To develop and enhance the young people's ability to play together as an ensemble
3) To provide the band leaders with new skills to enable them to deliver weekly activities in a more engaging and interesting way with the aim of retaining young players in the band.
The project met these aims with great success, as the feedback from participants demonstrates. It was really important to the young people involved that they were learning about new musical genres and techniques, but also their enjoyment of working together as an ensemble in new ways, particularly in terms of listening and responding to one another musically.
I most enjoyed trying new things and working with others to do a new style of music.
Feedback from the adult tutors involved in the project demonstrates that they also benefited from the experience, both as players and music leaders, building their confidence and willingness to explore and engage with new approaches.
This was one of the most successful projects Pied Piper has delivered in recent years. This was due to the collaborative approach to the activity and the commitment and support of the tutors involved in activity. We are already planning the next project!
This project was funded by NYMAZ, North Yorkshire County Council's Ryedale Fund and The Co-op Community Fund.