SING UP GREENWICH

Greenwich Theatre and Sense of Sound have formed a new partnership to research, plan and deliver Sing Up Greenwich, an exciting two year programme of research, training, performance and sustainable development running across the borough of Greenwich from January 2008.

The programme begins with a three month research and consultation period, designed to involve schools, community groups, arts organisations, music organisations, youth groups, mother and baby groups, nurseries, colleges, practitioners, singers / musicians and borough music services to develop a strategic overview of Greenwich's current singing activity and aspirations for the future.

Following the research period and drawing on the resulting report a programme of taster sessions will be run in two parallel strands by the two organisations, one in schools and one in the wider community. The taster sessions will be developed with consideration of stylistic breadth, age appropriate activity, cultural diversity, gender issues, and involving the wider community including carers and parents. Through the two organisations' existing work a range of music styles will be incorporated into the sessions, including musical theatre, gospel, R'n'B, pop, rock, jazz and a cappella.

As a result of evaluation and monitoring of the taster sessions, subsequent activity will become more streamlined in response to the needs / wants of the organisations and individuals and may include establishing choirs, after school groups, bands, cross art-form activity or song writing classes. From here a main performance will begin rehearsal, and a more structured phase of training will begin, to ensure the developments made by the programme are sustainable. The programme will end with a performance and sharing session at Greenwich Theatre.

Greenwich Theatre has been working in the field of musical theatre training for the past six years. In that time the theatre has produced two community musicals bringing together professionals and local performers; has successfully delivered three separate ESF-funded learning programmes for disadvantaged learners aged 14-19; has conducted funded research into BME access to musical theatre training; has built a reputation for professional development in the field of musical theatre writing and performance; has produced or showcased over fifty new musicals in a wide range of styles and genres.

Sense of Sound has been delivering its unique brand of music training since 1992. Initially established in Liverpool, the organisation has been instrumental in the cultural transformation of Merseyside. The company has contributed to the increasing recognition of Liverpool's BME communities, has championed women's creativity, and has been the incubator for many new micro-businesses, singing groups, workshop leaders and artists. The company has developed training courses, summer schools and projects specifically for young people, and has an active youth outreach programme.

GMTA partners

NEGUS Sixth Form Centre
Greenwich Dance Agency
Trinity College of Music
GSA Conservatoire
Greenwich Community College

GMTA supporters

Learning + Skills Council
European Social Fund
Youth Music
Tilfen Land, Arts & Business

LEVER partners

Landmark Training
City Gateway
Chelmer Training
Rathbone
Springboard Hackney
Springboard Hackney
Reynolds Performing Arts