Firebird RSS - Projects

MUSICOM 2009

2009-09-16T18:32:53+00:00

Please click the thumbnail to see the full size poster!

In addition to the workshop being run by Pete on Sunday the 4th there is also the opportunity to visit the school again with him again on Monday the 5th of October to see the skills and ideas presented in the Sunday workshop in action with a class.

This opportunity is limited to a maximum of 5 spaces.

Please get in contact with me, Kayleigh Glasper or Simon Steptoe to confirm your place if you wish to attend.

Sichuan Musicians

2009-07-24T14:02:50+00:00

During his visit to the far east Simon Steptoe spent some time at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music meeting musicians and directors.

Simon ran a workshop while he was visiting the conservatory

Down by the pond in Sudbury

2009-07-23T13:51:58+00:00

Last week saw the end of our Pebbles in Ponds project in Sudbury.

There were two performances for parents and public, one at the school and another at the museum of childhood.

The children created a musical about the enchantment of sudbury pond and let their imaginations run wild, literally!

Simon's trip to Chengdu

2009-06-30T15:03:21+00:00

At the end of May 2009, Firebird's Executive Director, Simon Steptoe, travelled to the city of Chengdu in China, to meet with partners at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.

Ricky and Stickman Invade!

2009-06-22T15:07:57+00:00

Friday the 29th of June saw the start of the next community in the Pebbles in Ponds project.

Dave "Stickman" Higgins and Ricky Thomas-Martinez along with Michael Wetherburn invaded Sudbury Primary School for the first in a series of visits working with the school and local community.

The session started after lunch with a song and artists and participants continued to make music for the rest of the afternoon.

After warm ups and lots of laughter by the end of the afternoon the children had composed their first song.

Check back for updates on the workshops and some video and audio clips later!

Komposit takes the Palace by storm

2009-05-19T08:12:57+00:00

The initial meetings for Komposit have taken place and were a great success. Over 50 people attended and were able to clarify questions they have in relation to Komposit, put forward their ideas and show their enthusiasm for this new initiative...

village inspiration

2009-05-15T14:41:55+00:00

Pebbles in Ponds is currently running workshops at Binbrook C of E school in Lincolnshire led by Gary Hammond and Liam Robinson.

Sian Croose - Vocal Workshop

2009-03-12T16:09:51+00:00

On Saturday 21st February, a select, but dedicated, group of trainee community musicians joined vocal trainer and singer, Sian Croose, for a day of workshops exploring vocal techniques.

Click on the player below to hear a version of the Zimbabwean song "Shaboyah" recorded on the day and sung by Sian Croose, Kayleigh Glasper, Ruth O'Sullivan and Jessica Wilford.

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... making waves

2009-01-27T14:27:27+00:00

Firebird is running 50 weeks of creative music workshops across 5 rural villages: 3 in Derbyshire and 2 in Lincolnshire.

Activity will be led by a team of 4 experienced musicians: Gary Hammond, Dave Higgins, Rikki Thomas Martinez, and Liam Robinson, all of whom have been selected for their superb musicianship as well as their communication skills and experience in working with hard and difficult to reach groups and individuals.

Pebbles in Ponds is funded through Youth Music's Make It Sound programme.

MUSICOM - percussion day

2009-01-27T12:11:04+00:00

Firebird Trust facilitated the first of a series of training days for musicians at St Peter-in-Eastgate Infant's School in Lincoln on Saturday 24th January lead by Leo Nolan, an experienced musician and percussionist.

creative collaboration in alford

2008-12-12T11:50:39+00:00

On 25th and 26th November 2008, musicians Jo Freya (vocals, soprano sax and whistles), Warren Jolly (bass), Pat McCarthy (jazz guitar), Liam Robinson (accordion) and Dave Tomlinson (keyboards), joined forces at Alford Manor House to explore the various musical worlds and traditions that they hail from, ranging from jazz, rock/pop through to folk and world music.

The result was a performance of new work on the evening of the second day, open to the public, and a fitting opportunity to air the fruits of two days of intense creative activity.

For a quick taste of the music, please click on the player below:

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Ruskington Big Sing culmination

2008-12-05T14:25:39+00:00

Led by Jo Freya and Freddie Kofi, two new community choirs from Ruskington recently came together to perform new songs from musical traditions as diverse as folk and gospel. The project was inspired by the wishes of people in the village to learn about new styles of singing and have the chance to work with inspirational choral animateurs.

Participants included children fron Chestnut Street and Winchelsea Primary School, Cotelands Secondary School and members of the Roundalay Community Choir and All Saints Church Choir.

ponitrans sampler

2008-11-10T18:28:56+00:00

To hear some of the fantastic music of Ponitrans, click on the audio player below....

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Ponitrans - Slovakian String Band

2008-11-10T16:57:12+00:00

On Monday 10th November, children attending Monks Abbey Primary School in Lincoln were treated to an east European musical tour-de-force in the form of Slovakian string band, Ponitrans. Hailing from Nitra in Slovakia, the band, led by Bernard Garaj, have been touring around the UK over the past month.

our new ESF/LCC funded initiative

2008-11-10T01:00:00+00:00

This exciting new project is designed to help unemployed and economically inactive people living in the Lincolnshire district of East Lindsey raise their confidence and aspirations so they are better able to take advantage of job and/or training opportunities. Participants will be supported through a combined programme of cross-arts activities and 1-2-1 mentoring and the chance to work creatively with artistic talent drawn from across the region.

Currently we are recruiting artists and mentors to lead sessions and will be shortly advertising places for our first cohort of participants.

The project lasts though until August 2010 so there is plenty of time to get involved. Please contact Firebird in the first instance if you are interested in any aspect of the programme.

Project Personnel: Project Manager - Obi Chiejina, Project Evaluator - Emma Brown.

Our partners: Lincolnshire Dance, Schools Improvement Service, JobCentrePlus, East Lindsey District Council.

This project is funded by the European Social Fund and Lincolnshire County Council.

project rationale

2008-11-07T16:43:33+00:00

KOMPOSIT is essential to the development of new music. Despite new technology no composer truly hears their music until it is played by the instruments it is intended for. Many composers are keen to work in a less ‘traditional’ way by composing for more unusual instrumentation using different musical influences to inform their work. But this makes it increasingly hard to visualise. There are also an increasing number of composers, coming from different musical backgrounds, who aren’t necessarily classical trained, who still have the need of an orchestra to realise their creations.

an exciting new composition and orchestra project

2008-11-07T16:18:07+00:00

KOMPOSIT, managed by musician, Jo Freya, is the working name for an exciting new orchestra and composition project.

The orchestra will consist of skilled musicians who are looking for a challenge. The participants will come from different musical backgrounds (e.g. folk, classical, contemporary, world and jazz). Their role will be to play new music from composers who currently have no outlet for hearing their work performed.

Jo is actively recruiting for the project so anyone, whether a composer or a performer, who is interested in registering their interest in this new and unique professional opportunity should contact her on 07900 215419 or via info@KOMPOSIT.org.uk.

For up-to-date information about the project, please also visit Jo's myspace site at www.myspace.com/kompositfirebird.

sounds of space

2008-08-01T22:42:19+00:00

To hear some of the wonderful music composed by Paul Griffiths and his friends in Leicester at the recent residency in May at the Richard Attenborough Centre and the National Space Centre, please click on the player below:

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back in orbit

2008-07-31T16:04:04+00:00

Following the original Enough Space for Everyone project last year, Paul Griffiths returned to Leicester this May to lead a short follow-up residency with special needs participants.

Return to the Dales

2008-07-29T09:42:52+00:00

Musicians Gary Hammond, Dave "Stickman" Higgins and Rikki Thomas-Martinez spent a day in June visitng the primary schools in the southern Derbyshire Dales villages of Brailsford, Longford and Sudbury to offer a series of taster sessions making music.