World Music Matters project news

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Singing Histories

On the 18^th September, Music for Change launched the Singing Histories song book at an event at Deal Library. Featuring both traditional and original folk songs by Kentish folk artists including Bob Kenward, Sue Hudson, Sue Watson and Stuart Pendrill, the event was open to all. The launch featured performances from the Folk artists, who were joined by primary school choirs and Deal Silver Song club. There was also an opportunity for audience members to join in with the songs, before enjoying a cream tea.

The Singing Histories songbook is a compilation of folk songs which hopes to bring back to life songs that are intrinsic to the history and traditions of the local people of Kent, and to provide resources that could be used as the basis for a regional cultural celebration.

Following the launch, Music for Change will be offering schools the opportunity to receive workshops around the songs contained in this book, led by the folk artists.

The launch ran from 11am-12.30pm at Deal Library.

For the hop's on the bine out Faversham way

And the apple's in fruit around Marden

Here's health to the Darent, likewise the Medway

And the Downs that surround England's garden

From 'Man of Kent'
Words & Music © Bob Kenward 1977

PRS/Copyright Control


For more information contact: Katy Hirst

Pass the Passion

When 120 primary and secondary school children of Dover came together in 2008 for a day of activities focused on the idea of the 2012 Olympic torch relay entering the UK through Dover, a singing campaign was begun...

Over the course of this day, the campaign name 'Pass the Passion' was chosen, a campaign website was designed and pledges were made by pupils, stating what they would like to achieve over the next four years. In addition to this, Music for Change artist Alexander D. Great worked with pupils to compose Dover's own Olympic Anthem, entitled Pass the Passion. The idea was that this song would be used to 'pass the passion' for Dover and the Olympics on to friends and family.

The challenge was now clear: to enable every child in the district to learn the song.

Now, in 2009, Music for Change has taken on that challenge. As part of the national Sing-Up Campaign, Music for Change are embarking upon a mission to ensure that as many children in Dover as possible can be taught the song. The mission has three phases:

Phase 1: Singing events.  Pupils from every primary school in Dover district will attend singing events led by Music for Change artists Alex and Lucky and singing leader Lizzy D'Anna. At these events, pupils will learn the Pass the Passion song, and be taught how to use different activities to share the song with other people.

Phase 2: Teachers' inset training. Music Co-ordinators from 24 Schools will attend an inset session ran by Alex and Lizzy to build on the skills learnt in phase one. This workshop will assist the sustainability of the project and of the song for the future.

Phase 3:  The Singing Playground. Lizzy will attend those 24 schools to teach the song to pupils in their playground. Pupils will then be able to teach other pupils the song, and Pass the Passion to every child in the district!

Let the challenge begin...!

For more information contact: Katy Hirst

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