We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the ‘Music & Drama Education Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre’, for our work on Trench Brothers.
More on the project can be found HERE on the website.
MONDAY 26 AUGUST – THURSDAY 29 AUGUST
at Mossbourne Academy, E5 8JY
Come and join us for a special four-day course focusing on the masterworks of one of America’s greatest composers – Duke Ellington.
You will develop the following skills:
- Playing from direct, professional transcriptions taken from the original recordings.
- Learning the rich history behind each piece of music being played, and the band behind it.
- Gaining experience playing as part of a large jazz ensemble.
- Building confidence reading and interpreting big band charts.
- Socialising and meeting like-minded, driven young jazz musicians.
The four days will culminate with a relaxed performance for all friends and family.
The course will be at Mossbourne Academy, E5 8JY, and is specifically for sax, trumpet, trombone and rhythm section players (approx. grade 5+, no audition required) though places are limited (especially for rhythm section players), so book now to reserve a place and avoid disappointment.
The full four-day course costs £179.00
Payable when you accept the place.
Discounted fees £159.00 available for students who attend the Jazz Blues Course or the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy.
APPLY NOW WHILE PLACES STILL REMAIN!
The Music Treehouse programme at HMDT Music’s Saturday Programme, offers younger disabled children access to high quality interactive music making, boosting social skills and confidence, and offering pathways to learning through songs and participatory musical activities. The relationship between singing and speech (in the context of people with special needs) is well researched, and we find there are linguistic breakthroughs among some of the children as they become more familiar and more confident with the songs. We focus on simple tasks, encouraging the young people to join in, and even lead activities, and there are no barriers in terms of ability. For us as a team of skilled musicians we keep musical standards high, even if words and melodies have to be easy enough to encourage participation. But the combination of keyboard, percussion, flute and guitar to accompany the songs, as well as the team’s skills in improvisation, mean that we can change soundworlds in an instant, and maintain focus throughout the sessions.
As the year has progressed we have seen huge changes in the attention levels of some individuals, as they grasp the fact that making music is both fun and empowering, and that they are free to take part at any level. We try to make every moment of a session joyful, and we introduce different elements to increase stimulation, including puppets and movement work. It’s really a whole body, whole mind, whole voice approach. Some children are non-verbal/vocal, but they often have acute understanding, and certainly can participate to the same level as vocal students, even if their participation is expressed in different ways. When percussion is introduced, every child can contribute equally, and the combination of sound and rhythm changes the dynamic of the room, often dramatically, with individuals often becoming confident enough to lead sections.
This year the overarching theme has been the animal world. We have made from scratch songs about hounds, birds, geese, moles, tigers and lions. Puppets help tell the stories of these creatures, and we always bring animals to life through movement work as well as sound. Often, we travel from one animal environment to another with the help of a bus song. And each session begins with a familiar hello song, as well as
songs to warm up the body, and get us in the mood to make music. The session ends with a bespoke goodbye song, which is calming and which sends the participants away on a quiet note. Our autistic children respond particularly well to these more calming activities.
Tim Yealland MBE
Music Treehouse Saplings Workshop Leader
Do you enjoy singing, dancing and acting?
Come and join HMDT Music for a one-off I Can Sing! Taster on Saturday 22 September, and experience the excitement of music theatre, led by our fantastic team of professional artists.
The morning will offer prospective I Can Sing! students the chance to watch a performance by current students, gain new skills, build confidence and make new friends!
Sessions will include singing, dancing and drama and require no previous experience. I Can Sing! is for ages 5 – 14 and draws on repertoire that includes classic Broadway numbers alongside our original commissions.
What are the timings?
The taster students are invited to join the first session of the term (22 September) with our I Can Sing! Groups according to their school year.
Minis (Years 1 & 2) – 09:50am – 11:25am
Junior 1 (Years 3 & 4) – 10:00am – 12:45am
Junior 2 (Year 5 & 6) – 10:00pm – 1:45pm
Seniors (Year 7 +) 09:00am – 12:45pm
This sounds great – how do I sign up?
CLICK TO APPLY NOW!
Spaces are limited so make your application now. We will get back to you ASAP to confirm your place. The taster session costs £20.00 – payable when you accept your place.
If you sign up for the term the taster fee will be deducted from the first term’s fee!
Where does the taster take place?
At HMDT Music’s Saturday Programme in Haggerston School, E2 8LS.
For more information on I Can Sing! and the rest of the Saturday Programme click here.
To discuss I Can Sing! or any other part of the Saturday Programme, please contact the office on 020 8882 8825.
SUMMER JAZZ COURSE FOR BEGINNERS
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST – FRIDAY 31 AUGUST 2018
10.00AM – 5.00PM at Bridge Academy, E2 8BA
A unique, four-day course designed for students aged 9 – 14, who want to learn jazz – or more about jazz.
Using the methodology developed at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy, students will be introduced to the rich history and styles of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock and Charles Mingus through the focused study of a small number of classic jazz recordings. They will be taught how to access, appreciate and perform this great music through a series of inspiring workshops – and make firm friends in the process!
The course culminates in a relaxed and enjoyable performance at the end of the last day, open to all family and friends.
For more detailed information about the course, click HERE.
The full four-day course costs £199.00 – payable when you accept the place.
Discounted fees £179.00 available for students who attend Bridge Academy, the Jazz Blues Course or the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy.
BIG BAND COURSE
TUESDAY 21 AUGUST – FRIDAY 24 AUGUST
10.00AM – 5.00PM at Bridge Academy, E2 8BA
Come and join us for a special four-day course focusing on the music and styles of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Students will learn the rich history behind the music; gain experience playing as part of a large jazz ensemble; build confidence reading Big Band charts and meet like-minded musicians in the process.
Each day will be split into three sessions:
- Full Workshops
- Sectionals
- Jam Sessions
The four days will culminate with a relaxed performance for all friends and family.
The course will be at the home of JJJA, Bridge Academy, E2 8BA, and is specifically for sax, trumpet, trombone and rhythm section players (approx. grade 5 +, no audition required) though places are limited (especially for rhythm section players), so book now to reserve a place and avoid disappointment.
The full four-day course costs £179.00 – payable when you accept the place.
Discounted fees £159.00 available for students who attend Bridge Academy, the Jazz Blues Course or the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy.
APPLY BELOW NOW WHILE PLACES STILL REMAIN!
HOME OF JJJA
This is the New Sat prog news page – check back soon.
Artist Name: Jason Rowland
Artist Role(s): Leader for Music Treehouse
Date first worked with HMDT Music: 11/10/16
What you remember most:
The performance that I really remember was based on a photograph of a “lit grapefruit segment” (The SP theme that term was fruit!). It had 13 segments which led us straight in a time signature of 13/8. Each of the 3 groups had created a movement for the piece and each one led into the next and had overlapping moments. The rhythms and melodies created were quite complex and a real challenge for the group. The excitement and sense of achievement for the group after the performance was incredible and gave the group a real boost forward.
Project impact:
We had a session recently where a participant started to play the piano, something that he hadn’t shown an interest in before. As happens in this session he led the piece and the group followed. It has to be just one of the best musical moments so far. A duet started between him and a tutor whilst the rest of us gave accompaniment. There was everything you would want from a piece of music, dynamics, space, musical control and awareness. The piece lasted for a good 15 minutes and we all agreed afterwards that the piece could easily fit into our CD collections!
What do you like most about Music Treehouse?:
Music Treehouse is a fantastic project as whilst we have structure to our sessions they are musically led by the group. Their role is to create music with their instruments or voice and then go through the more traditional processes of refinement and rehearsal. We allow the group to make musical decisions and have control of everything that they do in the sessions which is something that they are not always able to do in their everyday life.
What else are you working on at the moment?:
I’m currently working with The Philharmonia on a music technology project, an SEND project with Snape Maltings writing new songs in response to the Friday Afternoon Songs, LPO and Trinity Laban’s Animate Orchestra and All in sound, a singing project for dementia sufferers.
Any advice to young artists wanting to work in the arts or music?
Work hard, have fun and opportunities will come to you.
Do you enjoy singing, dancing and acting?
Come and join HMDT Music for a one-off I Can Sing! Taster on Saturday 24 March, and experience the excitement of music theatre, led by a fantastic team professional artists.
The morning will offer prospective I Can Sing! students the chance to watch a performance by current students, gain new skills, build confidence and make new friends!
Sessions will include singing, dancing and drama and require no previous experience. I Can Sing! is for ages 5 – 14 and draws on repertoire that includes classic Broadway numbers alongside our original commissions.
What are the timings?
11:30am – 12:30pm – Come and watch current I Can Sing! students in their end of term showing. A fantastic opportunity to see what it is all about!
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Group 1 Taster Session
12:30pm – 2:00pm – Group 2 Taster
We will assign you to a group based upon age and participant numbers, the week of 20 March. Each session will finish with an informal showing to parents so that they can see what the students have been working on!
This sounds great – how do I sign up?
Apply here for a place on the taster day.
Spaces are limited so make your application now. We will get back to you ASAP to confirm your place. The taster session costs £10.00 – payable when you accept your place.
Where does the taster take place?
At HMDT Music’s Saturday Programme in Haggerston School, E2 8LS.
For more information on I Can Sing! and the rest of the Saturday Programme click here.
To discuss I Can Sing! or any other part of the Saturday Programme, please contact the office on 020 8882 8825.
You may have heard about the Music Treehouse, our SEN/D project that runs as part of our Saturday Programme – it’s offered for free but many of the students who desperately need to attend are unable to do so due to the cost of taking a weekly specialist taxi.
We have tried to cover this cost as much as possible but there are still many students that we are unable to help. This is where you come in – we’re asking you to help us provide the transportation that these young musicians need.
Every little helps and please feel free to share the link as much as possible – we’re hoping to meet our goal by Christmas!
You can find out more about the campaign and donate by clicking here.
We are competing for the Aviva Community Fund and we are through to the public voting stage. In order to secure a place in the final, we need to gather as many votes as possible during the voting period.
What are we hoping to fund?
Music Treehouse (MT) is for SEN/D children who have a wide spectrum of needs. It includes children who are isolated and struggle with issues around communication and interaction, who have profound Autism, difficulties with Mental and Emotional Health and sensory and physical disabilities. MT is a hugely important project for a community of young people and their families who struggle to find out of school activities that are accessible, engaging and life-enhancing. It provides a fun, secure, environment where children can learn and practice vital life skills, and are provided with a safe environment in which to develop their confidence and well-being.
Seeing a child’s face and the pride that they feel when they have the ability to make music is simply exhilarating and the health benefits of the sensory and kinaesthetic nature of music cannot be underestimated. Assisted by a specialist team, they learn to play and interact through creative music composition creating personal, and intricate pieces of music.
However, they really need specialist equipment which fulfils different needs as having the right instruments is hugely important. MT is still in its infancy but is already oversubscribed meaning we desperately need to purchase a collection of specialist instruments to supplement the ones we currently borrow. We currently have no electronic instruments, so can’t properly serve students with severe mobility disabilities and only a very limited range of standard percussion. A £5,000 grant would allow us to purchase a pool of instruments enabling us to create a fully inclusive ensemble and the impact would be immediate for our students.
• Large strengthened drums which students can sit on to feel the vibrations;
• Tuned percussion with specialist mallets to facilitate grip for students with limited dexterity;
• Kaoss Pads and amps for students with limited mobility;
• Specialist non-tuned percussion: bracelet shakers, mark trees, afruches, and soundboards;
• Nuvo clarinets, flutes and pBones: lightweight plastic instruments which can stand a lot of use, and are wonderful for students with more movement and less profound disabilities.
We currently have 40 core students at Music Treehouse, who would greatly benefit from this grant and a reach of over 100 more in collaboration with local special schools who are extremely supportive of the programme:
Teacher
/ Ickburgh SchoolMy pupils are thrilled to take part. Their enthusiasm is outstanding and they love to tell their friends at school about MT. This has helped build their confidence and discover hidden talents they never thought they had!
The families of children with SEN/D often feel very isolated – the SP has a thriving and supportive community spirit with parents and students from across all programmes forming new friendship groups. The Programme is a place for families to meet other families in similar situations over coffee and cakes in our tuckshop. Likewise, the students not only have the opportunity to socialise with their group but also with the other students at the Programme. This social aspect is hugely beneficial to MT families’ well-being, with our staff always finding time for those who need a helping hand.
Music Treehouse Parent
A really happy environment to learn and have fun. My child so looks forward to attending – thank you for everything!
What we need you to do:
1. Visit our page & register CLICK HERE
2. You will be sent an activation link via email when you register (check spam).
3. Click that link & complete your profile.
4. Return to our page and use the VOTE button – you have TEN (10) votes so please make sure you use all TEN (10) for us!
5. Share this post or our Aviva page with your friends & family, encourage them to register and vote.
What else can I do to help?
We are also raising money for the Music Treehouse transport fund through GoGetFunding
