SiFly Uncategorized

R.U.F.C. & H.B.C.

All about creation this week. We start with nothing and work together to create something by focusing on goals and finding creative ways to get there.

Following on from our work of recognising the value of others and an introduction to the building blocks of Music, we created some beats and looked at how rap music uses syllables, and the relationship to phonics in school.

The facilities at the New York Stadium are great and provide a positive environment for young people to develop. It was rewarding to see young people gaining confidence, by finding their voice through our informal youth led approach.

We were also back at Highfields Boxing Club for our penultimate session. We took part in a challenge to create a full arrangement and song within the time frame of the session.

Incredible focus and team working. We produced an original song with 4 different sections, music and used audio effects to support the production. I’m really proud of the way this group have developed and also the way they have introduced new comers to the group.

As always thanks to Liz and John for allowing me to use the Boxing Club as a venue, also thanks to Jonny at Rotherham United for supporting grass roots providers such as 90minutemusic.

SiFly Uncategorized

Active Fusion Easter Camps 2022

Awesome to be asked to return to support Active Fusion on their Easter camps across Doncaster. We delivered to over 350 young people and it was personally rewarding to hear some, who I had worked with last summer relaying information which they had retained from our previous session.

We gave the young people with previous experience a chance to pass on their knowledge, which empowers them and supports confidence building, it was also good to see the Active Fusion staff rewarding this supportive behaviour.

We worked on communication, discipline and explored music from India and South America. 100% engagement. Well done to all who took Part, special thanks to the staff and volunteers who got hands on to make this project successful.

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Rotherham United Community Trust

Wonderful to be welcomed back to support the young people of Rotherham. We were not short on energy and enthusiasm today.

The facilities are in place at the New York Stadium to support development of the health and wellbeing of the local community for years to come.

We will be back on April the 20th. Thanks to Jonny for inviting us and Ant and Zoe for making sure we were looked after.

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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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A Decade of 90 Minute Music

For the last 10 years we have been supporting young people with our mobile provision and in that time we have often worked with young people who have become disengaged with education and training. We use our very particular set of skills to ensure they come away with a positive view of themselves through achieving bite-size challenges.

“I didn’t like 90 Minute Music – I Loved it”

L. G. WEST ROAD PRIMARY

“I can not recommend Simon and 90 minute music highly enough. He gets results and makes a difference! And always with fun and laughter.”

Clare Galliers – Tutors & Exams

  • 90 Minute Music Hold the UK Youth Quality Mark for working with young people
  • 90 Minute Music are members of EXPECT Youth
  • 90 Minute Music are fully trained in Recognising Specific Learning Difficulties

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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.