Art Beat News

Buddy Beat nominated for arts award

2012-01-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm over the moon that my mental health drumming group has been shortlisted for an award for voluntary arts, particularly as it's for a project that was funded, developed, and delivered entirely on their own initiative. There's a public vote going on, and I would be eternally in your debt if you felt able to vote for us. It's also a good opportunity to raise further awareness of the contribution that the arts can make to mental health, which I will be mentioning at every opportunity if we win!

You don't even have to fill in a form, simply visit this link, and click on the green thumbs up by the 'Buddy Beat' entry. And that's it!

Another blog!

2011-06-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

Finally, it's time to go live on the Rhythmconnects blog!

Rather than confuse this blog, which is very much focused on news and dates for my Art Beat work, I've decided to launch out into cyberspace with another blog dedicated to resources, experiences and more general useful musical information. I've been working on it for a couple of months - mainly to see whether I can keep it up. So far I've still got lots of ideas of things to post, and I haven't forgotten about it yet, so it should be a resource that develops and improves over time as more gets added.

It's about sharing learning - whether that's about great kit, other inspiring projects, websites, books - you name it. All around a theme of music and wellbeing.

And here it is…

'Singing for the Brain' Renfrewshire website just launched

2011-06-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

This is the site for the group based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, and in future, will also hopefully be a home for useful links and resources around singing and older people.

The Buddy Beat video launch - 'Our journey in Rhythm'

2011-05-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

'The Buddy Beat' is a community-based mental health drumming group, and was set up three years ago in partnership with NHS mental health occupational therapy services in Renfrewshire. Aimed at promoting social inclusion, the project has three levels of involvement: ward-based workshops; a weekly drumming group at a local arts centre, and wider community workshops. Longer-term group members also assist community musician Jane Bentley in drumming for conferences, mental health events, and drumming with people with a variety of special needs.

The group had been keen to put together a video to tell their story, as a way of encouraging others in their mental health journeys. Having been initially turned down for funding, they decided to raise their own money through holding a 'sponsored drum'. They then employed a film maker who is also a mental health service user, and the resulting video is entirely produced by the group themselves. Their hope is that it will be useful to others, whether that's musicians, health care providers, or people with mental health difficulties themselves.

They'd be delighted to receive any comments!

2011 calendar: January-May

2011-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

January

Working on the new website, finishing my PhD corrections, and final editing on a completely musically unrelated new book.

Ongoing grooviness continues with the Buddy Beat…

11th Jan - whole conference drumming and boomwhackering with the Buddy Beat for the AGM of ACUMEN (Argyll and Clyde United in Mental Health).

25th Jan - speaking on music and dementia for residential care home managers in Fife.

February

The 'Singing for the Brain' project for people with dementia and their carers recommences weekly at the Royal Alexandria Hospital geriatric psychiatric day hospital, Paisley.

5th and 6th Feb - Down to Hessle (near Hull) for a weekend of music in conjunction with Alison Adam of Worship Works.

7th Feb - Open community drum circle with 'The Buddy Beat', WRVS cafe, Causeyside street, Paisley, 7-9pm.

25th - 27th - Very excited about being the keynote speaker for the Drum Circle Facilitators' Guild annual conference, in Myrtle Beach, SC.

And there we all are!

March

Regular workshops continue with the Buddy Beat and Singing for the Brain, and the PhD gets finally handed in!

30th March - Musical 'wandering minstrel' at Allan McClure House, and Methil Haven care homes, Fife.

April

New events/projects include:

1st - weekly community mental health drumming workshop begins for patients in the forensic special needs unit at the Rowanbank clinic and Leverndale Hospital.

9th-11th - 'Come and try world percussion' workshops, and community drum circle for the Edinburgh International Harp Festival.

13th - Launch of the Buddy Beat video - 'Our Journey in Rhythm' - telling the story of the group and its members, as they journey towards recovery - and drum! Paisley Arts Centre.

16th - Drumming and musical leadership outside Faslane Nuclear Base…

21st - Weekly workshops commence at Alzheimer's Scotland in Renfrewshire

25th - Returning to Allan McClure House, and Methil Haven care homes, Fife.

27th - 'Music for life' presentation for Renfrewshire Seniors' Forum

30th - Venturing into the world of choral leadership doing mobile performances and a workshop at the Govanhill Streetlands festival with the Voicebeat community choir.

May

9th - Drumming with the Bipolar Scotland Glasgow area group, along with the Buddy Beat

18th - Conference energiser and performance for the West Dumbartonshire mental health forum, with the Buddy Beat

Some of the Buddy Beat team at their fundraising stall

Group Drumming - an occupational therapist's perspective

2011-02-01T05:39:00.000-08:00

I thought this was such a well-written article, it deserved a post of its own. It was written by an occupational therapy placement student, who came along to our regular community mental health drumming group, 'The Buddy Beat' for several weeks. Not only did she demonstrate a clear understanding of what the group is about and what the musical exercises are trying to achieve, but she wrote it up wonderfully!

here's the article…

…and here's a lovely picture of some of the group.

Rounding off 2010...

2011-02-01T05:02:00.000-08:00

I realise it's a little late to do this (as it's now February 2011!), but it's good to have a record. Things have got a little out of date through finishing off my PhD, which is, at last, submitted, examined, and corrected - and now I'm Dr. B! So now my excuse for not catching up with, well, everything, has evaporated…

October 2010
Was a busy month, off to Germany for the InTakt conference on music and people with special needs, to present a 4-day workshop on 'an introduction to community rhythm circles'. We had a wonderful time - the group of workshop participants came from Turkey, Lithuania, Italy, and Germany; 1/3 were music teachers, 1/3 were students with hearing impairments, and 1/3 were people with special needs. Their musical backgrounds were drawn from a euro-pop group, a classical orchestra, and a body percussion group. So… no-one really understood anyone, but then of course, in the music, everybody did!

We had some members of Orchestra Esagramma - an entirely inspirational integrated orchestra from Milan - check them out:

And we were also fortunate to be joined by several members of the KeKeCa body percussion group, who I completely adored. They work with a university in Turkey which specialises in welcoming deaf students, and together they have formed the most energetic, creative, and entertaining body percussion group - ever!

The 'community rhythm circle' group at the InTakt conference, Dortmund. What a gorgeous bunch!
(photo by Dilara Hancer)

Once I was home again, there was no time to relax, as the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival was in full swing. There was a very full programme for the Buddy Beat, which included a series of workshops in the Renfrewshire festival hub, a disused shop unit that was taken over for the duration of the festival and turned into an arts venue. There were interactive performances for other mental health groups, such as ACUMEN in Barrhead, who were holding an afternoon's event about the power of music in mental health; youth workshops, and open community drum circles. I also gave two public talks - one on 'The forgotten power of music', held at Paisley museum, and another on the benefits of singing for the Gerontology special interest group at the University of the West of Scotland.

This was followed by a 10 day intensive training in drum circle facilitation with Arthur Hull - no rest for the wicked!

November…
…should have probably been spent in a small, dark, (quiet!) room, but there was still plenty of drumming to be done. Workshops continued with the Buddy Beat; at the State Hospital, and the fledgling 'Singing for the Brain' project (run as a collaboration with the Royal Alexandria Hospital geriatric psychiatric day hospital, and Alzheimers Scotland) was finding its wings.

One-off events included a workshop at Dykebar Hospital with members of the Buddy Beat - some of which had previously been in-patients, and who wanted to return and share their experiences with others. There was a presentation about music, rhythm and dementia for the Dementia Learning Forum in Fife, whose members were extremely encouraging in their response and enthusiasm for the possibilities of engaging people through music.

Buddy Beat at the Dementia Learning Forum

The month rounded off with several cancelled events, due to the snow - a pattern that was to continue throughout December….

December
…although I did eventually manage (in between snowdrifts) to squeeze in an afternoon's musical training for nursing and activity staff from three BUPA care homes in Irvine. We looked at two forms of using music, one being more structured sessions, and the other involving more mobile, individualised musical interaction for those who may not be well enough to enjoy a 'workshop' format. It was very rewarding to get to try both these formats out with staff on the day, as they could directly see the effect that the music was having. The biggest response from the staff at the end was that they were going to be more confident in attempting to engage people with music in the future. Result!

In the works...

2010-08-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ongoing projects

The Buddy Beat

- is a social inclusion project for mental health service users in Renfrewshire. Workshops take place every Thursday at Paisley Arts Centre, from 10-12. In addition to the regular workshops, group members who wish can take part in performances at local and national events, and community workshops. This year, we piloted a course where group members learned how to assist in leading workshops in wider sections of the community, and hope to follow this up with sustained practical involvement. There's an extremely well-written article here in OT News that looks at the group from the occupational therapy perspective.

We're now entering our 4th year...

Workshops continue at the State Hospital, Carstairs, emphasising the cooperative, social and communicative aspects of working together.

There's a Singing for the Brain choir in the offing, in partnership with NHS Renfrewshire occupational therapy services, and Alzheimer Scotland.

And a community mental health drumming group is in the process of being set up in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Occupational Therapy services.

2010 - part 2!

2010-08-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it's August already - here's what's in the pipeline for the rest of the year…

August

2nd - Open public community drum circle, in conjunction with the Buddy Beat, 7-9pm, WRVS cafe, Causeyside Street, Paisley. All welcome.

3rd - Back at the Cranhill Community Project for a morning's drumming

13th - Providing a training session for new musicians at the Polyphony music project, about working with older adults with dementia.

27th-30th - Back at the Greenbelt festival for drumming, singing, and miscellanea with the Wild Goose Resource Group and the Iona Community.

September
9th-10th - Scottish Association of Music Educators Conference 2010

18th - Conference energiser and workshops for the Bipolar Scotland annual conference in Glasgow, with the Buddy Beat.

19th - West meets East event, Rutherglen town hall. An afternoon of workshops for an event for carers hosted by the International Women's group of the Princess Royal Trust Lanarkshire Carers group.

23rd - Conference energiser, workshop, and impromptu delegate performance for the 'Paths for All' national networking event, Perth Concert Hall.

October
5th - 10th - Returning to Dortmund University to present at the 'Europa In-Takt' conference on music and special needs.

11th - 21st - a whole plethora of events for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film festival programme in Renfrewshire, with the Buddy Beat. More soon!

22nd - 28th Mentoring at the UK Facilitator's Playshop with Arthur Hull. With support from the Creative Scotland YMI Professional Development fund.

2010 one-off events...

2010-04-20T03:34:00.000-07:00

May
15th - 'Casting the Net' - drumming workshops for diocesan gathering of the Episcopal church, Perth.

17th - 21st - Music in Health Settings, Paris - final week of the EU Leonardo Da Vinci funded training project, in collaboration with the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and Musique et Sante, Paris. Bringing music to neonatology and paediatric oncology wards.

June
3 weeks in Texas! Including the MoPAM conference, 2010, and two weeks of community music workshops in Bryan, and Kerrville. That's June pretty much sorted!

July
4th - Rhythms of life: Drumming for personal and community empowerment
10am-4pm, Salisbury Centre, Edinburgh
Cost: £30 (£20 conc)

A day to explore your rhythm, even if you don't have any! A day where we will journey together to find our personal rhythms, and explore how these can be interwoven in a musical community where everyone’s contribution is valid, no matter how small.

An intriguing variety of world drums and percussion instruments will be provided for you to explore; from the ever-popular djembe, to the subtle and evocative tones of the Swiss ‘Hang’.

Any level of experience is welcome, whether you are coming to drumming for the first time, or seeking ideas for the enabling of others.

Bookings: 0131 667 5438 Web: The Salisbury Centre

7th July - 'Wild in the City' - an afternoon of drumming workshops in Drumchapel Park for a family environmental/outdoor awareness event run by Glasgow City Council.

13th July - Workshops for the 'Out of the Box' project, Cranhill.

14th July - 'Wild in the City' - this time in Govanhill park.

2010 projects so far...

2010-04-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

The Buddy Beat
Is still going strong in our third year! Set up in collaboration with Renfrewshire NHS Occupational Therapy services, Buddy Beat is a weekly community drumming group for mental health service users. There is no pressure to perform, however, the group are in increasing demand for gigs and conferences, most recently at the Scottish Government sponsored conference for Allied Health Partnerships, 'Collaborating for Change', where they got a 200-strong audience all playing rhythm together with boomwhacker percussion tubes! One group member noted that this was the first time she had ever received applause for something and; 'It felt great - I'd like to do that again!'.

Having been awarded a grant from the NHS 'bright ideas' fund, we have successfully piloted a training course with group members and occupational therapists, which will enable them to either lead, or assist in leading simple percussion workshops.

We now also host an ongoing community drum circle on the first Monday of the month in Paisley, which is open to all.

Rowanbank Clinic, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow
This eight week project took place with patients in a medium-secure unit, working on drumming and group interaction skills.

Music Together - Gartnavel Royal Hospital
In collaboration with Polyphony music project, this series of sessions aims to develop ways of working with people with dementia and their carers and visitors, across two wards in the hospital.

The State Hospital, Carstairs
Working with occupational therapy services to engage patients. Because of the accessible, cooperative and social nature of rhythm work, it can enable non-threatening communicative behaviour to take place where verbal communication may be difficult or problematic.

Flexi-Care, Renfrewshire
A series of workshops with young people on the autistic spectrum, and adult groups with additional support needs. Supported by the Buddy Beat.

Maxwellton School, East Kilbride
Pupil and staff training workshops in the wonders of boomwhackers...

High Mil and Victoria Park Schools, Carluke
Integration project bringing pupils together from additional support needs and mainstream schools

Edinburgh Harp Festival
'Come and Try' world percussion course, and community drum circle.

My PhD
Is now fully written up, and awaiting examination...

2010

2009-10-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Is booking up!

Jan
New project for patients at Rowanbank medium secure unit, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow.

More of the 'Music Together' project, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow.

Feb
8th-12th - Music in Health Settings, Dublin

March
22nd-26th - Music in Health settings, Krakow

May
17th - 21st - Music in Health Settings, Paris

June
3 weeks in Texas! Including the MoPAM conference, 2010.

July
Fingers crossed....graduating for my PhD!

October 5th -10th - Returning to Dortmund University to present at the 'Europa In-Takt' conference on music and special needs.

October 2009

2009-10-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

It's a big month for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival! Here's the workshops...booking info can be found at the festival website

Fri 2nd Oct - Music, Rhythm and Mental Health, Royal Alexandria Hospital, Paisley.
An engaging and hands on introduction to integrative musical participation for mental health plus an exploration on making music for older adults in mental health services.
Contrary to popular belief, everyone but a very small minority of the population has the capacity to participate in music, and ‘musical’ behaviours accompany much of human development: from pre-linguistic communication exchanges between caregivers and infants; to the attention-focusing and structuring potential of rhythm, and the memory-links and emotional ‘grab’ of melody in later life. This event will offer an experiential introduction to integrative musical participation (absolutely no previous experience or ‘talent’ necessary – and no ‘performance’ involved!), accompanied by a brief theoretical overview of current research concerning the intra and inter-personal effects and applications of making music.
Fri 2, 12.30 – 1.30pm, RAH Day Hospital, Ward 38
For clinical psychiatry staff of older adults in mental health services
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Sat 3rd - FAF about in Renfrewshire
This fun-filled day of activities for all features Heather Reid (aka Heather the Weather) and Britain's Got Talent stars Drum's 'n Roses [and a workshop with 'The Buddy Beat! 1-2pm]. Take part or just be entertained!
11am – 4pm, FREE Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley
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Mon 5th - Community Drum Circle with the Buddy Beat

If you've ever wanted to bang a drum, this is the place for you - even if you've never done it before. Everybody has rhythm! Here, there is no such thing as a 'mistake', and nobody gets singled out - and because we all play together, even the simplest beat can add something to the music of the group.

It's also a great way to relieve the stresses of life in the ‘credit crunch’ era – and discover new ways of enjoying life that doesn’t involve buying expensive stuff! Come and get your groove on with a friendly and welcoming group of Paisley folk – all instruments will be provided, and no previous experience is necessary.

7 – 9pm, FREE, Paisley Arts Centre, New Street, Paisley

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Thursday 8th Oct - Arts, Creativity and Recovery in Occupational Therapy

Explore the role of arts and creativity in recovery, through music and discussion.
Half day event aimed at Allied Health Professionals in Renfrewshire to promote positive mental attitudes to mental health and provide an insight into the use of creative arts as a means of recovery in mental health. This afternoon session will include an interactive drumming session provided by community drumming group 'Buddy Beat' and led by Jane Bently. It is also hoped to have a performance from a community drama group (To be confirmed). Refreshments will be provided also.

2.30 – 4.30, FREE, Recreation Hall, Dykebar Hospital, Grahamston Road, Paisley

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Thur 15th - Drop in and Drum with the Buddy Beat

A chance to drop in and see what happens during the regular Thursday sessions of 'The Buddy Beat'. No experience necessary - just a willingness to get in the groove!
10am – 12pm, FREE (just come along). Paisley Arts Centre, New Street, Paisley

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Sat 17th - The Parsonage Choir [warmed up by the Buddy Beat!]

The Parsonage choir take inspiration from folk, country and blues traditions and update them for 21st century ears, delivering heartfelt renditions of Gram Parsons, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Jefferson Airplane and Joy Division. A not to be missed opportunity to see this famous choir, supported by local bands.
Sat 17, 7pm – 10pm, £7.00
Students Union, West of Scotland University , Storie Street , Paisley

and for the rest of October - no rest!

19th - 23rd - Off to Paris to be a student for the first week of the EU Leonardo DaVinci funded project on 'Music in Health Settings', in conjunction with the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and Musique et Sante, Paris. I can't wait!!

24th- 1st Nov - Advanced Drum Circle Facilitator and Mentor training with Arthur Hull, Wiston Lodge, Scotland. Going to brush up my skills...

September 2009 update

2009-10-01T09:04:00.001-07:00

September

Ongoing...

'The Buddy Beat' is back in action! Drumming group for mental health service users, Thursday mornings, 10-12pm, Paisley Arts Centre. Here's a wee file all about them...

Thursday afternoon workshops on the acute ward, Dykebar Hospital, Paisley.

Second pilot run of the 'Music Together' project in association with Polyphony. Workshops for people with dementia and their visiting carers at Cuthbertson house, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow.

1st - Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival launch, Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Performing with the 'Buddy Beat'.

6th - Working with 180 guides in Motherwell for the centenary of the Guiding Association.

8th-9th - Presenting at the 'Inspiring transformations' Conference on the Arts and Health, Northampton, on 'Integrative rhythm interaction - the basics.'

10th-11th - Scottish Association of Music Educators conference, Stirling. Invited presenter - workshops on both days about 'An introduction to community rhythm circles'.

12th - Rhythm workshop for the Edinburgh Clarsach Society AGM.

19th - Bipolar Fellowship Scotland conference and AGM - running rhythm energiser to warm up the whole conference, and workshops with the Buddy Beat.

26th - Launching the Renfrewshire bit of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival with the Buddy Beat at Paisley Farmers market, 10.30-2.30.

2009 Engagements

2009-03-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

As well as the regular ongoing projects, here's a flavour of some of the one-off events:

Feb
19th - In-service training for Dumfriesshire Primary Music teachers. 'An introduction to community rhythm circles'

24th - 'Recovering Ordinary Lives' study day, Leeds. Presentation and interactive rhythm event for the College of Occupational Therapists, with members of 'the Buddy Beat'.

March
6th - 'Crash Bang Wallop' workshop for Children's Classic Concerts, St. Oswald's SEN school, Glasgow.

15th - Scottish Interfaith Youth Conference, Edinburgh. Workshop on rhythm, diversity, and integration.

17th - Rhythm event for 500 nurses, at the SECC, Glasgow, with members of 'the Buddy Beat'.

April
5th - 13th - Helping out with the Iona Community's 'Experiencing Easter' programme, Iona.

14th - Staff development drumming workshop at Edinburgh Academy Junior School.

May
15th - Morning of workshops at Mary Russell SEN school, Paisley.

August
15th-21st - 'Voices from the Edge' - Musical input to a week's residential with the Wild Goose Resource group, Iona Abbey.

28th-31st - Greenbelt Festival - in association with the Wild Goose Resource Group.

Current Projects -

2008-11-09T10:10:00.001-08:00

Well, I've been so busy working, I haven't been updating the site! Here's a little flavour of current projects:

The Buddy Beat
- is an ongoing group run in collaboration with the NHS, for mental health sevice users in Renfrewshire. We've been drumming together for a year now, and the group has gone from strength to strength - from hesitant beginnings, to being an extremely capable group: eager to perform, and one whose members offer genuine empathy and hospitality towards visitors and prospective new members.

We've had a good bit of local exposure lately - in part through the recent Mental Health Arts and Film Festival - and made a lovely centrefold in the Paisley Daily Express:

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2008/10/29/a-buddie-good-beat-87085-22137055/

Here's a video of a recent performance and from a conference on socially inclusive occupational therapy conference: it shows a wee performance from the group (their second ever), along with audience participation by 70 occupational therapists...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcxW8dTJgd0

It's been a fascinating journey together, and one we all hope will continue. The picture above is of a banner made by one of the group members, which now makes appearances at any events we participate in. Next up is a trip to a local retirement home, to share some rhythm with the residents, and give something back to the wider community. Following this, we have a December date for an event run by Paisley Museum - we've been asked to drum on the museum steps, so we're all trying to work out how to drum with gloves on!

Additional work with the NHS involves hospital-based workshops in a variety of mental health settings: in acute wards, continuing care, and a geriatric day hospital.

Together Project - Gartnavel Royal Hospital

This is a pilot project run by Polyphony - a charity based in Glasgow aimed at providing music for mental health and wellbeing. The project is based in a McNiven house, a ward for elderly people with dementia, and aims to involve both residents and their visitors in shared recreational music activity during a weekly visiting slot. It's particularly helpful to have family members and other visitors present, as they can help with information about a resident's musical tastes, as well as being able to take part in a shared activity.

School Projects
Are still very much in demand, and currently include an inspiring Lanarkshire school project, where the whole school is involved in arts activites connected with a link school in Malawi.

Another project will run until Apr 2009, in several Lanarkshire schools and is funded by the Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts.

Strathclyde University
Work continues here, teaching community music for the BA Community Arts course, and postgraduate primary teaching qualifications.

Performing
I'm delighted to be involved once more with Pan African Arts, and playing with resident bands, Hesu and Akaya. I'm also delighted and excited to be recording in December with the ever-inspiring Fischy Music, for their latest album.

Summer 2008

2008-06-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

June
1st: Drumming to support the 'Voicebeat' choir, for an interfaith service at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress, at the SECC in Glasgow.

13th: Creating Capacity: Socially Inclusive Occupational Therapy conference, Scottish Youth Theatre, Glasgow.

Performance with the mental health drumming group with whom I've been working since September (who will be joined the gathered audience - athough they don't know that yet) followed by an interactive workshop sharing our learning so far.

July
Continuing mental health workshops in Paisley.

2nd, 9th, 16th: 'Wild in the City' - open public drumming workshops in Glasgow's parks. Details to follow.

20th - 25th International Society of Music Educators Conference, Bologna, Italy.Presenting an introductory workshop about community rhythm crcles, and a paper about perceived barriers to music making.

August

15th Royal School of Church Music international summer school, Canterbury.Presenting a community rhythm circle at their bi-annual conference for church musicians around the world.

22nd -25th Greenbelt festival, Cheltenham. Drumming, singing, and worshippy stuff with the Iona Community and Wild Goose Resource Group. A great photo from one of last year's drumming workshops can be found here.

September

4th-5th Scottish Association for Music Education conference, Stirling.An introduction to community rhythm circles, with a particular emphasis on the inclusion of participants with special needs.

Drumming at the National Gathering - a Church of Scotland event focusing on 'church without walls'

2008-06-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yes - that's the Archbishop of York getting down on the djembe! In a spur-of-the moment change to the planned service, he joined in with drumming along to support the singing, leading to a wonderful musical exchange. And... he happens to be a fabulous drummer too....

photo by Tom Macdonald.

Coming later in 2008...

2008-03-12T07:06:00.001-07:00

April

1st - 5th
Off to Spring Harvest to do alternative worship things with Worship Works

May

3rd and 4th
Doing arty things and worship/drummy things for 'The Gathering' - a 'Churches Without Walls' big bumper bonanza weekend by the Church of Scotland.

9th - 21st
Off to Iona to cover the resident musician's job in the Abbey. As a drummer, rather than a pianist, this means that it will be a very 'interesting' week musically - I'm looking forward to engaging in plenty of rhythm and singing with the staff and guests there...

March 2008

2008-03-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

1st March
Open drumming workshops and worship event for Pontefract and Normanton Methodist circuit, Pontefract. In conjunction with the lovely Alison Adam, of Worship Works.

5th March
Somehow, leading 'Time for Reflection' for the Scottish Parliament. Like 'thought for the day', but scarier.

7th March
Open public drumcircle to celebrate International Women's Day, at Cranhill community project, Glasgow.

9th March, 7pm.
'Holy Racket' - Renfield St Stevens, Glasgow.
Exactly what it says... All welcome.

11th March
Educational workshops with Childrens Classic Concerts, Glasgow.

....and ongoing workshops as usual....

Feb 2008

2008-03-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

This month: continued drumming workshops for Dykebar, and Royal Alexandria Hospitals, Paisley.

'Welcome Gait' project, in conjunction with the Paragon Ensemble. Composition and performance project with secondary school musicians from Hillpark School, around the theme of human trafficking. Performance on 27th Feb, at the Arches, Glasagow.

17th Feb: 7pm
'The Wee Singing Thing': Renfield St. Stevens', Glasgow.
Open singing event, for anyone who would like to sing, regardles of whether you think you can or not. Come and fill your lungs!

29th Feb
All day workshops at Tadcaster East primary school, Yorkshire.

January 2008

2008-03-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hospital work continues... and the community-based drumming group sounds better than ever....

10th Jan: 12.30
Open public drum circle, with a warm welcome for people who are asylum seekers and refugees, at Bridging the Gap drop-in centre, Gorbals, Glasgow.

21st Jan
'Jamming' with the ladies of Arnside Women's Institute, Cumbria.

25th Jan
Playing for a Burns' Night Ceilidh, at Wiston Lodge, near Biggar, Lanarkshire.

31st Jan
Off to the 'MusicLearningLive' event at the Sage, Gateshead, made possible by generous support from the Scottish Arts Council.

December 2007

2008-03-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

Mondays, throughout December:
Staff wellbeing workshops at University of Strathclyde: Lunchtime 'drumming up wellbeing' sessions. Open to all staff.

1st - 2nd Dec
Adventfest: St James' church Leith, Edinburgh.

Open public 'drop in and drum' workshop, grooving on into worship the following day, at Edinburgh's grooviest church.

9th December
Church of Scotland Presbytery Youth Night, Glasgow.
Getting our groove on....

November 2007

2008-03-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

All Month:
Teaching at Strathclyde University; working with the occupational therapy departments at Dykebar, and Royal Alexandria hospitals, Paisley.

8th November

12.30
Drum circle for people who are asylum seekers and refugees, at Bridging the Gap drop-in centre, Gorbals, glasgow

7pm
First performing gig with the ongoing drumming group for mental health service users in Paisley, 'drumming up' support (sorry!) for Paisley Museum's open evening.

18th November, 7pm
'Holy Racket' - open public drum circle at Renfield St.Stevens church, Glasgow. All welcome.

29th November
Educational workshops in conjunction with Children's Classic Concerts, Glasgow.

October 2007

2007-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

4th - 7th
Europa InTakt - Conference on music and special needs, University of Dortmund, Germany.
Leading a four day workshop on 'An introduction to community rhythm circles' for music teachers, and groups of people with special needs from around Europe. For booking and info click here.

Much of the rest of the time this month and next will be spent tutoring Community Music on the BA Community Arts course at Strathclyde University in Glasgow.

September 2007

2007-05-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

(Wednesdays until December)
Commencing a 15 week music project in conjunction with Dykebar Psychiatric Hospital, Paisley. Working across acute, IPCU, and geriatric psychiatric wards to form a community drumming group.

15th September
Providing rhythm workshops for the Afasic Scotland parents' event, Glasgow.

16th - 21st September
Off to skye with the Paragon ensembles' community education team, running a project at the Tigh na Drochaid Adult Resource Centre in Portree.

August 2007

2007-05-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

4th - 6th August
'Rhythm and Pews' workshops at Westside Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

7th - 10th August
Contributing to the Wild Goose resource group's 'The Greatness of the Small' week on music and worship, Iona.

11th - 17th August
Contributing to the youth interfaith week at the Macleod Centre, Iona.

23rd August
Rhythmic worship as part of 'Rest for your Soul' at the Edinburgh Festival fringe, in conjunction with St. Patrick's church, Cowgate.

24th - 27th August
Fun and games, drums, worship and song with the Iona Community at the Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham.

July 2007

2007-04-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

4th, 11th, and 18th July
'Wild in the City'. Glasgow Parks
'Drop in and Drum' events. All ages, all abilities welcome.

8th July
Dundee
Group music making as a metaphor for diversity and respectful communication for the Scottish Interfaith Council meeting for regional groups.

29th July - 3rd August
Fredonia, NY
Attending the 'Art of Improvisation' workshop, run by Music for People. With assistance from the Scottish Arts COuncil.

June 2007

2007-04-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

1st June
Drumming workshop for parents and children for a transition day (moving to secondary school) Lanark Grammar School.

3rd June
Using rhythm as a warm-up activity for the Scottish Youth Interfaith Council Committee.

9th June
Springwatch - Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.
Big bumper BBC bonanza! Drum circles all day from 11am - 4pm. Free.

15th June
A concert for Ajoke - East Kilbride
Preparatory workshops and drumming performance with pupils from Greenburn and Maxwellton schools.

19th - 21st June
United Reformed Church Summer School, Ushaw College, Durham
Mostly facilitating worship, but squeezing a few drums in too.

22nd June
Drumming workshops for Kings Park school, Dundee.

23rd June
United reformed Church Synod, Perth Racecourse.
Singing, drumming, and worship stuff....

30th June - 1st July
Harp residential, Wiston Lodge, Biggar.
Rhythm and creative skills, as part of a weekend course led by Savourna Stevenson.

May 2007

2007-04-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

1st May
DeMontfort University, Leicester.
Integrative musical interaction and community rhythm circles – an introduction. As part of the PGDip Community Arts Practice course.

4th May
In-service training for schools in South Lanarkshire

14th May
Kicking off a women's music group at Cranhill parish church, Glasgow. Open to women of any musical ability or none. Free!

16th May
Not really a workshop - just rather exciting! Glasgow is hosting the UEFA cup final, and as part of the general festivities, I'll be playing in George Square in Glasgow - on enormous Fontonfrom drums from Ghana, with a team from Pan African Arts Scotland. It's propbably the only way I'll ever get to participate in a major sporting event...

19th -25th May
'Whole Person Worship' - MacLeod centre, Iona.A week to explore creative worship through music and movement. A chance to 'have a go', try new things and get some ideas to take away with you. No experience needed! Led with liturgical dancer, Kathryn Sparks

April 2007

2007-04-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

19th April
Drum circle at Bridging the Gap drop in centre, Gobals, Glasgow.

25th April, 10am - 12.30pm
In-service training for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapists in Scotland. 'An introduction to rhythm circles'

7.30pm, Renfield St. Stevens church, Glasgow
'The Wee Singing Thing'

30th April - 1st May
DeMontfort University, Leicester
Integrative musical interaction and community rhythm circles – an introduction.

Coming in 2007...

2006-11-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

January

19th-21st
Contributing to the 'Diploma in Therapeutic Drumming' - Nottingham
more info

Feb

Workshopping and performing with the Paragon Ensemble and Childrens' Classic Concerts

18th
'Holy Racket' - part 2
more info

March

Off to Ohio to contribute to a Youth Ministry Institute conference, and play drums (and more)with the folks at Findlay First Presbyterian Church

TBC - CPD workshop for Nordoff-Robbins music therapists in Scotland.

April

11th-15th
Up to mischief doing alternative worship with Worship Works at Spring Harvest

May

19th -25th
'Whole Person Worship' - MacLeod centre, Iona.
A week to explore creative worship through music and movement. A chance to 'have a go', try new things and get some ideas to take away with you. No experience needed! Led with liturgical dancer, Kathryn Sparks

October

3rd - 7th

'Europa InTakt' Conference on music and special needs, University of Dortmund, Germany.

December

2006-11-20T09:33:00.000-08:00

2nd December

'Meet Your Neighbour' - St. Mungo's museum, Glasgow.
Drumming workshops as part of national Inter Faith week.
more info

3rd December

Scottish Interfaith Youth Conference, 12.30 - 5pm Edinburgh university chaplaincy, Edinburgh
Workshops using drumming as a metaphor for interfaith relations and respectful communication.
more info

'Holy Racket' - Renfield St. Stevens Church, Glasgow. 7.30pm
Open public drumcircle, loosely attached to the 'Holy City' series of events.
more info

November

2006-11-20T09:24:00.000-08:00

Has been filled with more ‘regular’ work:

- leading ongoing workshops in schools in South Lanarkshire - integrating mainstream pupils with those with additional support needs.

- at Strathclyde university, contributing to their 'Community Arts' degree course, running a community music module with second year students, devising a project with adults with additional support needs at a local resource centre.

- beginning one-to-one drumming workshops with three individuals with additional support needs.

Public workshops:

26th Nov:
'Babeling on' - workshop as part of 'Holy City'
http://www.iona.org.uk/wgrg/wild8.htm

July - Oct 2006 events:

2006-11-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

July:
9th - 14th: PAM Westminster Conference: Pennsylvania
Community Rhythm circles, global song, and a wee bit of worship.
http://www.presbymusic.org/confwestminster.htm

August:

5th: ‘Rhythm and Pews’: REMO Recreational Music Center, North Hollywood.
Percussion resources for churches.
http://remo.com/portal/events/542.html

12th – 18th: ‘Let the World in Concert Sing’. Iona Abbey.
Music and materials for worship – and drumming every day!
http://www.iona.org.uk/abbey/isp1.htm

25th – 28th: Greenbelt Festival. Cheltenham racecourse.
More music, worship, drumming at the Iona Community tent, and a little something for Sunday morning…
http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/

September:

2nd: Open rhythm circles and guest speaker at Clydebank - 'CAOS' community arts open day.

21st – 24th: InTakt 2006. University of Dortmund.
Conference on music and special needs. Introduction to facilitating rhythm circles.
http://www.zfw.uni-dortmund.de/tagungen/intakt2006.html

30th. ‘The Big Drum’ festival, Hamilton.
Finale rhythm circle and workshops.

October:

4th-15th: In Chicago, working mainly with ‘Harmony, Hope, and Healing’.
http://harmonyhopeandhealing.org