Sticks Together is a new series of drumming groups for all young people in Slough, including those who are disadvantaged or at risk. Drum students will learn the fine skills of African, Indian, South American, Marching Band, Hip hop and Pop styles in weekly sessions. With professional drummers leading each session, the young people will gain both musical skills and a community to belong to; a chance to engage with their peers in a new environment. The Sticks Together programme will encourage friendships, teamwork and resilience and the performance opportunities offered will raise self esteem, broaden horizons and build aspirations for their futures.
Our first set of sessions will work towards a 'Sticks Together Summer festival', an exciting fusion of musical styles and cultures in a celebration of the rhythms of life in the beating heart of Slough.
What we'll deliver:
- Community Drum Lessons
- New musical instruments; Dhol, Samba Drum Set, Marching Drums.
- A one-day multicultural music festival in Slough
Why it's a great idea:
Slough Music Service already works with 95% of schools in Slough. We deliver music lessons with all the enriching brain developmental, skill enhancing and emotional benefits they bring at the lowest possible cost to students. However, we would like to widen our reach. With your help we will bring high quality instrumental groups to young people outside of school in their local community, and build a new generation of aspiring young musicians.
Slough has very localised areas of poverty, a study in 2018 showed 11,556 children are living in poverty, which means 30% of children in slough are living below the average income level. Our aim at Slough Music Hub is to bring ‘Sticks Together’ to these most affected areas in January 2020 for £0 cost to the student for the first 2 terms. We will set up Drum Group locations at participating venues such as Britwell Community centre. Our aim is to build a sustainable, inclusive musical culture in Slough.
Steps to get it done:
- Purchase of Drums
- Create Scheme of Work and 10-week Lesson Plans
- Promotion for Sticks Together Drum Club (Social Media, In -school, Local Press)
- Registration for Drum Club (Jan 2020)
- Week 10 End of Term Community Concerts (April 2020)
- Beginning of Summer Term Drum Club (April 2020)
- Promotion for 'Sticks Together Festival' (April 2020)
- Sticks Together Festival (June 2020)
Professor Roger Webb in his 2018 study stated that those from families who remained in the least affluent fifth of society were 13 times more likely to commit violent crime as young adults. We believe our drum program will help to reduce the level of crime and reduce self-harm rates in the next generation. Through building a safe place to grow friendships, providing role models outside of school and developing a new musical skill set, we hope young people will see their true value.
'Sticks Together Summer Festival'
The culmination of two terms of Sticks Together Drum workshops will celebrate cultural diversity and musical creativity in Slough City centre on June 27th 2020. Our walking drummers will parade along the high street playing multi-cultural drum rhythms. We will be inviting a variety of food trucks to represent the types of music that will be performed. We wish to enrich our town with a one-day summer celebration, a free family day out of music, culture and delicious food!
