Passport to Music is a two-year Youth Music funded project, increasing access for young musicians with inclusive workshops exploring composing, song writing and ensemble playing skills, inspired by working with leading Jazz, Hip-Hop, Folk and World Musicians.
In July 2021, young participants worked with Classical Indian musician Jonathan Mayer over a day long workshop to learn more about Indian Classical music and create their own collaborative compositions.
In July 2021, 10 young musicians took part in 4 weekly workshops, working with Jazz musicians Issie Barratt and Alex Clarke, in partnership with National Youth Jazz Collective. Over 4 weekly sessions the group explored different Jazz rhythms including Cha Cha and Bossa Nova, and different time signatures. The group collectively composed and learnt to play 2 original compositions. These compositions were recorded in a live group recording session during the 4th session.
In June 2021, 10 young musicians explored Folk with musicians Sarah Matthews and Cohen Braithwaite- Kilcoyne. Over 4 sessions the young people worked to learn and rework a traditional sea shanty, 'Roll the Chariot Along'. The collective ensemble brought the song into the 21st century, with a new story to reflect the pandemic through the eyes of the young people. The complete composition can be listened to below:
In May 2021, the group took part in 4 weekly workshops, working with Jam Jam and Joe, Hip-Hop artists and music producers from Baby People, a music organisation based in Derby. This film captures the work created by the young people through the workshops as they record their new original tracks. During sessions the young musicians learnt to use GarageBand, a music production software, to create their own samples and mixes, and writing and recording their own lyrics.
In October 2020 the Year one group met for the first time for a launch event, but unfortunately the project had to be postponed due to the pandemic. This film was made to capture the launch day.
THE PURPOSE:
The main aim of the project is to provide an opportunity for young people in South Derbyshire with limited access to music opportunities the opportunity to compose, create and play together with other young musicians.
ARTISTS:
We are thrilled to be working with the National Youth Jazz Collective, Hip Hop organisation Baby People, Folk 3D, English Folk Dance and Song Society, Arimba Arts and the Indian Arts Development Trust Milapfest. Each organisation is providing music leaders to run sessions that specialise in their genre and who can facilitate musical fusion with the other genres and the young people’s own passions (e.g. Heavy Metal, Classical and South Korean boy bands!)
SUPPORTED BY:
Passport to Music is made possible thanks to the support of Youth Music, and of the National Lottery via Arts Council England. The project has also received financial support from the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership, Police and Crime Commissioners fund and Foundation Derbyshire.
“(The young musicians) are going to learn things that they wouldn’t get the chance to learn anywhere else. There’s so many different types of music coming together through this project…it’s unique!”
Jam Jam - Hip-Hop Music Leader
