Thurrock Trailblazer Cultural Catalogue 2019-20

SPARKEDECHO
KS3 KS4
SEND
FOLK SONGWRITING
At SparkedEcho we want a community rooted in new music encounters - more connected,
healthier and creative. Our vision is that everyone, regardless of their background, enjoys the
benefits of new music experiences. Based in Medway, Kent, we produce unusual live events,
interactive installations, digital learning resources and inclusive workshops. Our work has seen
older people singing on trains in Sittingbourne, teenagers composing video game music in
Hastings, and visually impaired people experiencing a live opera puzzle in Chatham.
“...to spend the day writing a folk song with Naomi and Paul, along
with being around their talent was so humbling and inspiring”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
SparkedEcho oversee projects looking to
develop new approaches in arts
education. With expertise in performing arts
and creative media, we work with artists,
schools, universities and community venues.
Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds are a
critically-acclaimed folk duo (vocals and guitar),
recently nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk
Award. Naomi has collaborated with Orbital
and Justin Currie (Del Amitri), whilst Paul is
also the principle songwriter in The Men They
Couldn’t Hang. They run folk songwriting
workshops across the UK, and Naomi is a
trained Arts Award Advisor at Bronze and
Silver.
FOLK SONGWRITING: DAILY NEWS
Co-write, record and perform a new folk song
with duo Naomi and Paul. Lyrics and music will
be inspired by stories in the local newspaper of
the day. This practical workshop is a must for
students and teachers interested in developing
skills in songwriting, lyrics and composition,
linking it to local history and literature.
Lyric writing and vocal delivery techniques will
be achieved through activities that overcome
any writer’s block. By the end of the workshop
the group will have a recording and group
performance of the finished song ready to
share to an audience.
SUITABILITY
This workshop is targeted at KS3-4.
DATES, LOCATION & FORMAT
Bookings are avilable across the year. Over a
full day (2 x 3-hour sessions) in-school, a group
of 8-12 students and teachers can take part.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the session, students and
teachers will be able to:
• Recognise key folk music works
• Recall folk music compositional and lyric
writing techniques
MATHS
Exploring musical tempo, bars, beats in rhythm
HISTORY
Links to daily newspapers throough time
ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
Creative writing, prose, developing lyrics,
storytelling through song
TEACHER COMMITMENT & TRAINING
No prior training required. Teachers are
requested to attend the workshop with
students, as this can also form part of their
own CPD.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END?
Teachers can invite a selected audience to the
concluding live performance. An audio or video
recording of the song will be made for future
sharing in the school.
An end of session reflection/evaluation will also
be undertaken and shared.
COSTS
£540
RECOMMENDED
This offer could complement the following:
• Bang & Smash Music: Sound Creation &
Production
• Thurrock Museum: Object Handling
• Thurrock Music Services: Sing Healthily CPD
During the workshop there will be a live
demonstration, unpicking the elements of a
folk song and exploring classic works.
Students will be busy creating a new song
directly inspired by the local newspaper, taking
part in activities to uncover composition; use
of key, tempo, time an arrangement options.
• Reflect on the process of co-writing and
recording a folk song
CROSS-CURRICULAR LINKS
MUSIC
Composing, examining classic works, singing,
performing, recording
OTHER RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Teachers will be provided with shets including
the chords and lyrics of the songs written, as
well as links to external folk music learning
resources.
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