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A busy couple of weeks!!!!

It was great to have 5 new faces to add to the growing group at Highfields this week. Word is getting round about the great work we are doing in our local communities and we will begin Work in Carcroft, Askern and Bentley soon.

We have been using Pro DJ equipment for the last couple of weeks, but last night we began working on music which we will be uploading to Soundcloud, which will give a platform for sharing our productions.

We hope to showcase the amazing work being presented by young people in our local area and hopefully one day bring all our participants together in one venue to celebrate what we have achieved.

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Exploring Diversity and Music from around the World

Pictured above is The War Memorial to the men and women of Highfields, it is a poignant feature as you enter the village.

A lasting impression was made on me after a school trip visiting the vast war cemeteries in Normandy, my view on remembrance is simple. We should remember, and understand that war is what happens when communication and respect are devalued.

The first things we learn in 90 Minute Music are the dynamic value and values of communication and respect.

This week we looked at music from around the world, acknowledging our own cultural heritage and spoke about how language and music are learnt together.

We got our hands on a Mbira and Djemba from Africa. A Tabla from India and explored the musical elements that reflect the cultures.

We also used this Guiro (vase) I found at our local charity shop for a pound, so keep your eyes open for a bargain. Thanks to everyone for attending on a wet, cold miserable night

These young people are a credit to their families and are showing the confidence and skills which will transfer to their daily lives to support health, resilience and opportunities for progression.

SiFly health and education, Uncategorized

Atlas Primary Academy

Great enthusiasm and expression at Atlas Academy in the heart of Doncaster this week with use of Microphones and Samplers. The students embraced the opportunity to use the technology. Although we bring with us state of the art equipment, we always encourage freedom of expression and in recent weeks we have introduced a shopping trolley, a tape measure and improvised drum kits into our music making.

Thanks to Neil the caretaker for his help, looking forward to seeing you all again next week.

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Highfields Boxing Club

Exploring what we have around us and visualising what may come in the future, recognising family, pets and pastimes as inspiration and support.

We put pen to paper to creatively explore rhythms and the building blocks of Music. The group responded well to more use of the technology this week.

Sometimes my role in 90minutemusic stems from the youth work which started the journey 9 years ago. Back then some of the kids just needed another adult around as a role model, and sometimes to remind them what is good in their lives. I think we did a little of this tonight.

Thanks again to Liz for the venue, the Parents for travelling from outlying villages, and of course the young people themselves, fantastically creative!!!

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#dnshowcase2022

We recently attended a celebration of Doncaster Businesses. We were lucky enough to meet David Shaul, Jordan Goldsworthy and Robert Campbell from That Agency Co. They are a Creative Media company based in the Frenchgate Centre.

They created a vlog of the whole event here. https://youtu.be/jJiLt2-OihI

Great to talk to guest speaker Rik Courtney from Be More Social, who have given us business support through the CWB, along with many other wonderfully passionate and creative people. Credit to Doncaster Chamber for organising.

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Astrea Atlas Academy

Energetic Intensive Effort

We were Invited to work with Astrea Academies after meeting Fran Lightfoot at a Community Wealth Builder networking event.

We identified a need to engage with pupils who needed further support. Fran linked us up with Head Jonathan Moody and we decided to focus on pupils with Additional Needs and Specific Learning Difficulties.

Great enthusiasm, whole heartedly connecting with the technology yesterday. We worked on composing, choosing appropriate sounds and learning how to chop beats while keeping good time.

Thanks to Isla Foundation for not only funding, but also for having the patience to stay with us through the difficult times we have faced. The credit also goes to the Barrier Buster fund, for agreeing a match fund to support young people in the most challenging situations. This will give a boost to their confidence, resilience and development.

Atlas is close to Doncaster’s famous St James Street Tower Blocks.

While studying for my degree a good friend lived on the very top floor of the block next door to this one, It’s a magnificent view over the Plant Works and out towards Cusworth Hall.

Big thanks to the young people, the Parents for returning the consent forms, Grace and Jonathan for inviting us and Neil the caretaker for supporting.

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Bada-Bada-Bingo

Inspired by cult TV series the Sopranos and our ongoing journey with Dementia, this is the latest offering to help reduce social isolation.

Although much of our work is with the younger population, the personal challenges of recent years have steered us to question how we can help the elderly.

Mum has been an inspiration

After she had a recent fall I have been spending more time with my Mum, exploring different artistic endeavours. Although I felt a bit guilty for not trying it before, I was surprised just how much she was getting from it and how it supported her mental health and cognition.

Bada-Bada-Bingo Is a (hopefully) less competitive mix between Bingo and Name That Tune which we will be trialing with local groups soon.

If there are any local groups to Doncaster which are interested in smashing social isolation then feel free to get in touch.

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How do we do it?

Simple. We engage and explore.

What does it look like?

A 5 second snip of what we do

How do we get it?

You can contact us at 90minutemusic@gmail.com

Is it really FREE?

Yes….. All we ask is that you fill in a short survey, or video interview, such as the one here….. 90minutemusic.co.uk /2022/01/21/active-fusion-winter-camps/

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Boost to the Acoustics!!!

Due to the unique way we deliver 90 Minute Music, we always draw on the experiences of working in Live Sound and Studio settings. The frequency ranges of the instruments need to be carefully considered.

We have been on the look out for a Schlagwerk Log Drum for a long time and were struggling due to the cost of these high-quality acoustic instruments. Everything we use must be safe, durable and fit with the framework of principles in which we work. Mission Accomplished!! Tried and tested on over 500 young people this summer. For some this was the first musical instrument they had ever played and as expected, turned out to be a real confidence booster.

Another addition we have acquired is this Aluminium Darbuka. These instruments are helpful when working with people who have mobility issues or have weakness in their hands. We pride ourselves on being able to use the knowledge we have gained through experience to maximise the possibilities for all within our sessions.

These instruments will provide a source of inspiration hopefully for years to come. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far!!!

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The End of a Challenge, The Beginning of Another.

We are proud to announce the professional qualification of Director Louise Beioley-Flynn. She now holds a BSc (Hons) and is a Registered Nurse.

Studying while raising a family is a big commitment at the best of times but doing it during a Pandemic and working unpaid for 2,400 hours must be commended.

Louise left school with no formal qualifications and had to resit GCSE’s, before completing an access course to Nursing and Midwifery, then going on to attain her degree. It wasn’t always an easy ride, but we got there. She has an absolute passion for Nursing, she was inspired to begin the journey after meeting a health visitor, who was supportive of Breast Feeding, and seeing a good friends’ social media posts about studying at the same level.

The impact on 90 Minute Music has been a greater shared knowledge base and awareness of certain professional principles, which have relevance to our practical work. Having access to the university’s resources gave an opportunity to delve into the increasing academic research surrounding Music, Psychology and how Neuroscience can provide answers, and in some cases provide further questions about how we interact with Music and the benefits to lifelong health and education.