Working with three areas in Kent Shepway, Dover/Deal and Ashford for two years, artists are working within schools and communities to empower participants and increase their confidence in singing, whilst facilitating an awareness of other cultures, and promoting and supporting social inclusion.

Our commitment to the principle that music, and in this case particularly singing, can make a huge difference to people's lives through creating positive attitudes, supporting teamwork and encouraging social and life skills will be highlighted throughout.

 

Aims and Objectives

 

• To increase numbers involved in high quality singing activities in three areas in East Kent.
• To increase access to inclusive, joyful and celebratory singing as a means of self-expression.
• To provide training and personal development opportunities.
• To target and address relevant local themes and issues.
• to provide a sustainable and community-owned activity.
• To develop and enhance existing school and community singing activities through an increased range of diverse repertoire material.
• To encourage and provide ways in which existing singing groups can engage with those in their immediate communities not currently participating.
• To provide singing activities in places where there is currently no provision, and for those not engaged with singing.
• To provide opportunities for those initially nervous about singing to take part in supplementary musical activities such as percussion and lyric-writing, and to highlight the many different types of song i.e. rap, football chants, etc.
• To encourage and development of inter-generational dialogue through young people sharing material they have learnt from friends and family members.
• To maximise and highlight the activities' potential to support the delivery in schools of the National Curriculum.

 

Delivery

 

Singing styles include the following genres: rap, MC, gospel and spirituals, Southern African Song, Caribbean Calypso, Balkan and Bulgarian singing and English Folk.

 

Collaboration and Partnership

 

We are collaborating with schools and community groups in the area as well as local organisations such as Kent Music and the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust, and tying in with national themed awareness-raising campaigns such as Refugee Week.

For further information please contact the project manager, Katy Diamond-Jalloh or call 01227 459 243.