Be-Connected - Networking Events in September

Be-Connected FREE Networking events are here to support the transition towards a new landscape of music education within the South East. 

Working together to put on these events will be;

- Youth Music module holders for Musical Inclusion and Networking (programmes which replace MusicLeader South East (MLSE) and Youth Music Action Zone (YMAZ))

- Music Education Hub leaders

- Artswork (Arts Council England Bridge Organisation)

For more information on what to expect on the day and to book your place please visit the relevant links below.

Region: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, Kent, West Sussex & Surrey
Venue: Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
Date/Time: 19th September - 17.30 - 19.30
Book Here: http://be-connectedbrighton.eventbrite.com/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/484599201568940/

Region: Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Reading, Slough
Date/Time: 25th September - 17.30 - 19.30
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Drake way, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 0GQ
Book Here: http://be-connectedreading-eorg.eventbrite.com/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/241686622618195/

Region: Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, Isle of White

Venue: SoCo Music Project, Top Floor, Bargate Shopping Centre, Southampton, SO14 1HF

Date/Time: 26th September -4.45pm - 6.45pm

Book Here: http://be-connectedsouthampton-eorg.eventbrite.com/    
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/320859961341832/ 

Silent Voices Exhibition

Silent Voices is a sound and video installation created by young people accessing Charlie’s YMCA drop-in centre in Eastbourne, giving them a platform to be heard. 

A collaborative project between young people, artists and musicians from Rhythmix, who worked in partnership with Towner Art Gallery and East Sussex Music Service. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. 

The installation will be running from 10am on 11th May until 10pm on 13th May. We really hope you can come along at some point over the weekend! Please join our Facebook page for more information which will be updated soon https://www.facebook.com/events/131404616984568/ and share with your friends!

Brighton and Hove Early Years Music Network

Vocal work and music for Early Years with Speech and Language difficulties

= Do you work in an early years setting?
= Would you like to learn how to use music?
= How can you use music to increase movement and
language?
= Want to meet and learn with others in the city?

If you want to know more this  networking day is for you!

This terms session focuses on Props, Puppets and Action songs! Using everything from feathers and bean bags to a Pringles tin, Caroline will show you how to use inexpensive props to bring Early Years songs to life! Learn new action songs to help encourage movement and increase vocabulary in your groups.No musical experience is required - all repertoire is easy to sing and will be accompanied by
hand-outs.

The Course Leaders
Caroline Henderson:  Caroline has worked in nurseries and Early Years settings across Brighton and
Hove since 2007. She is an Early Years Tutor, Trainer and Mentor for Rhythmix and runs Seahorse
music after-school club at West Hove Infants.

Course Details
Date and Time: Monday 26th March, 1.30-4pm
Location: Brighton Unitarian Church, New Rd, BN1 1UF Map here
The venue is fully accessible – please inform us of any accessibility needs that you have.
Refreshments: Tea & Coffee, Please note that lunch isn’t provided.
Course Fee: FREE

To book your place or for more information please contact Rachael Casoria:
rachael@rhythmixmusic.org.uk or 08701 417484 (ext 1)
Web: www.rhythmixmusic.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RhythmixMusic
MusicLeader South East: www.musicleader.net/southeast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MusicLeaderSouthEast

National Rock School Convention - 3rd February 2012

Do you run a Rock School?
Want to learn how to set up your own School?
Interested hearing about what's happening in other Rock Schools?

Then the Rock Schools First National Convention on 3rd February 2012 is for you!


Taking place at British Music Experience, The O2 Bubble, London this convention is for anyone involved in or interested in setting up a rock  school. It will be a chance to exchange different models of work,  knowledge and good practice as well as hear presentations from key  people and organisations working in the UK music industry and music  education sector.

You will also have FREE entry to the British Music Experience which is Britain’s national museum of popular music. The museum host's hands on Audio/Visual exhibits and with over 3,000 images, 600 video clips, 3,000 artist videos and over 600 items of artist and music memorabilia, its a must see for any music fan! (http://www.britishmusicexperience.com/)

This action packed day will include;
• Presentations from other Rock School project
• Presentations by key national and local organisations.
• Meeting with other Rock School deliverers
• Trade and support organisation stalls
• Live music
• FREE entry to the British Music Experience

For more information on buying tickets and who will be speaking please visit http://musicleader.net/trainingcourses_details.asp?TPID=4754 or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/219023178182823/

Official Announcement: Rhythmix and Syco

Both Syco and Rhythmix have been in touch and this matter has been positively resolved. Syco commends all the good work that Rhythmix does, and are happy to make a donation to the charity. As previously agreed, Syco will also withdraw the application for the trademark. Rhythmix wish Little Mix the best in their endeavours for The X Factor and would like to thank Syco for their donation and for withdrawing their trademark application.

Rhythmix would like to thank all the members of the public who supported the Charity in seeking to resolve this matter, and to thank Unity PR.

Chief Executive Mark Davyd said "We are very pleased this has been brought to an amicable conclusion. These are difficult times for charities and other third sector organisations, and we are very pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement with SyCo to put this matter behind us." Mr Davyd confirmed that all donations made to the Charity by the public in the last few weeks would be used to support frontline projects working with vulnerable young people, as was the declared intention during the fundraising campaign.

#CowellMustPay

Rhythmix is launching a #CowellMustPay social media campaign to help raise money towards the £8,000 legal fees incurred to date, after Simon Cowell’s lawyers unsuccessfully tried to force the charity to relinquish its name in a trademark dispute.

Alistair McGowan, along with other famous faces, is calling on the British public to VOTE for the music charity this Saturday, instead of the remaining X Factor acts, in a show of solidarity against the treatment received at the hands of Simon Cowell’s Simco Ltd.

Cowell’s firm has used trademark laws to potentially put the South East-based charity out of business, and has left the charity with legal fees of £8,000 – an amount that could be used for 120 hours or 10 days of music training for disabled and vulnerable youth.

The Rhythmix ‘Cowell Must Pay’ fundraising campaign will launch on Saturday 12th November from 9.30pm, during the live broadcast of the X Factor show. In order to support Rhythmix, text RTMX11 £1 to 70070 from Saturday 12th November to donate £1. This will help pay the charity’s hefty legal bill.

We call on X Factor viewers to text to help Rhythmix in lieu of their usual text vote for X factor’s acts.

The #CowellMustPay campaign is being run – pro bono – by creative agency Unity. Unity co-founder Nik Done said “This is a classic case of David vs Goliath and this time Cowell Must Pay”.

Show support on Twitter by following the @RhythmixMusic and by tweeting #CowellMustPay.

The text-to-donate service is run by JustTextGiving, the UK’s first ever free text donation service. Message costs £1 of which 100% will go to Rhythmix Music. There are no extra user costs and no network charges. UK taxpayers may Gift Aid their donation by clicking the link in the thank you message.

To donate online please visit our Rhythmix Just Giving page.

To keep up-to-date with all news please like our Facebook Page 

An Open Letter to Simon Cowell

Dear Simon

Rhythmix and the X Factor

On 23 September 2011 Simco (a company largely owned by you) lodged an application in Europe to trademark the name "Rhythmix" for use by the programme X Factor. At the time of lodging that application X Factor and Simco were fully aware that "Rhythmix" was an existing trademarked name of a music charity that works with vulnerable young people.

Rather than seeking any discussion with the Charity, considering any of the moral implications of their actions, or checking with the Charity whether the pursuit of an exclusive trademark might have a negative impact on the activities of the Charity, Simco and their legal representatives apparently sought a way to use the law to circumvent the trademark of the Charity.

We don't buy this media invention of you as Mr Nasty. Your wikipedia entry explains at length your involvement with children's charities, and we commend you for it. But equally we don't believe that you are unaware of the way your own company is acting. Or maybe your staff are trying to "manage" it for you?

By pursuing these trademarks Simco is forcing the Charity to take legal action to ensure it can continue to exist and offer opportunities to young people to create and perform their own music. Maybe those young people won't be on your programmes, or your record label, but the music they create is important to them.

Rhythmix the charity has worked with over 40,000 young people in the last twelve years. All of that work is placed at risk by the actions of your company. Every legal action the Charity has to take to protect itself from Simco is a project that won't happen. A project that could make a difference to a vulnerable young person. A large number of the public reading this will see it for exactly what it is; a ridiculously overblown storm in a tiny teacup. Simco are solely responsible for that situation and you can resolve it in a matter of seconds.

For that reason, Simon, we are personally asking you to sort this problem out in the quickest and simplest way:

Just change the name.

Thank you.

Mark Davyd
Chief Executive
Rhythmix

Rhythmix, Make Waves & Bexhill Festival Of Music presents....

Are you aware of Brighton Music Hub?

"Brighton Music Hub" is a 2-year music programme delivered by Crew Club after receiving funding from Youth Music. It will include master classes in live performance, setting up a record label and writing & releasing albums produced in our studio, being delivered in partnership with Audio Active, Rhythmix, Brighton Centre and Concorde 2 as well as other venues/partners tbc. The aim of Brighton Music Hub is:

To give young people in challenging circumstances the opportunity to take control of and run their own youth music provision in Whitehawk, through a programme of development and delivery in the disciplines of performance, production, business and leadership, resulting in a legacy of improved music skills, provision and equality.




Part of the project is to set up a live information hub, which lists the latest local music opportunities available to all young people. We have just recently launched a blog: http://btnmusichub.tumblr.com/. I would strongly encourage all youth music providers to contribute to this resource - whether it be profiles of young musicians you work with, web links, promotional material, youtube videos, jobs, courses, photos, news stories. For those who are on Twitter - follow @btnmusichub as each update is automatically tweeted out!

To add information, simply email it to: btnmusichub@crewclub.co.uk and one of our trainee music leaders will post it up to the blog!

We believe this will be a valuable tool for young musicians across the city. Please support it, share it and make use of it.

Follow the Crew Club on twitter here.

Like the Crew Club on facebook here.

New music rehearsal space unveiled in Hastings

Budding young musicians in Hastings are set to benefit from new state-of-the-art music facilities which were unveiled by music celebrity Feargal Sharkey last Friday.

The Hollington Music Rehearsal Space is a Government-funded project developed by East Sussex County Council and partner organisations including Hastings Borough Council. Its aim is to increase young people's access to music, help them engage with learning and form a thriving musical community in the area.

Based at the Hollington Youth Centre in Hastings, the provision boasts a brand new rehearsal room, a further practice room and a large selection of musical instruments. Through additional funding received from children's charity Youth Music, it will offer a broad range of activities to help develop young people's musical skills.

Led by professional musicians, activities include workshop and taster sessions focusing on different types of music and instruments. Centre users will also benefit from mentoring, have the opportunity to take part in accredited training, attend open rehearsal sessions and develop and record music demos. And the sessions will help prepare them for delivering live performances of their work at other music venues in the town.

To read the full article, click here.

Feargal Sharkey is CEO of UK Music, an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry. For more information click here.

The new musical rehearsal space at the Hollington Youth Centre was developed by East Sussex County Council with support from Hastings Borough Council, the Greater Hollington Association, national music charity Youth Music and music workshop provider Rhythmix.

New Photos Uploaded

We have just uploaded some more photos to Flickr so have a look!

You can also view more from our Access All Areas gig, October 22nd 2010 here: http://www.webphotouk.com/#/gallery/access-all-areas/

Or our Make Waves gig, February 11th, 2011 here: http://www.webphotouk.com/#/gallery/del-la-warr-11th-feb/

Keith Willis

We are very saddened by the news that Keith Willis has died.

Keith was one of the founders of Rhythmix, and the inspiration behind much of the work the organisation carries out. He took huge pride in the work of the Charity, and was regularly on hand to guide and steer us as the project developed. He was a dedicated musician with a particular fondness for Mahler and choral music; honorary music adviser to the Gustav Mahler Society UK, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, creator of the Mahler Project, the baton of the Surrey Youth Orchestra... the list is almost endless.

Keith had a genuine love of the arts that he wanted everyone to have the chance to share, always seeking to enthuse and encourage young people to become involved. More than anything else, Keith was simply one of the good guys who make the world a better place. He will be sorely missed by everybody here at Rhythmix and our thoughts are with his family.

Tune up and get ready for battle

Young people across Kent are being invited to join a brand new online ‘battle of the bands’ music competition.
Kent’s music stars of the future aged 11 and 18 are displaying their talents online in Music Clash ’11.

Whatever the talent - Rock bands, solo artists, pop, jazz, hip hop and classical – young musicians can upload a short video of an original piece of work to musicclash.kent.gov.uk. All entries will be rated by the public over the next two months.

The five winners will get an amazing package of top technical help from music industry insiders, including laying down their track in a studio and performing a live filmed gig.

• a day in one of the state-of-the-art recording studios at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Broadstairs Campus where an expert sound technician will help put a professional polish on their winning work
• top tips for succeeding in the music industry during a master class led by one of the music industry professionals who teach at the campus
  
• a chance to perform their winning entry at a live gig in the Horizons bar at the Broadstairs campus which will be filmed for the internet
  

Festive Greetings From Rhythmix

Oscarz a great sucess!

The successes of 200 looked after children and care leavers were recognised at a special ceremony on 27th November. Many young people received awards and gave them to our tutors. Find our more here...

Hawaiin Christmas Party

Rhythmix West Co-ordinator Needed

Could you be the next Rhythmix West Regional Co-ordinator?

Outline
Location: West of the South East Rhythmix Region (Surrey, West Sussex and SW London). This post is offered on a freelance basis with desk space available in various locations across the region.
Hours: Contract for 48 days (1st October 2010- 31st March 2011) initially.
1st April 2011 onwards funding dependant.
Fee: £5,400 for 48 days (1st October 2010- 31st March 2011)
Reporting to: Programmes Director

Main Purpose of Role
Rhythmix is one of the UK’s leading music Charities, delivering a large range of music making opportunities for young people across the South East region. Since 1999, Rhythmix has worked with more than 40,000 young people, enabling their creativity through music and developing their personal and social skills. Working with a team of over 50 professional community musicians, Rhythmix is continually developing innovative and exciting new programmes that challenge young people to express their creativity.

Rhythmix manages and delivers the Youth Music Action Zone for the South East region and the West Regional Coordinator will develop and oversee the delivery of the Rhythmix programme in the West Area (Surrey, West Sussex and SW London area) in line with Rhythmix and Local Authority priorities.

We are looking for an experienced individual who has a grasp of the non-formal and community music sector and suitable initiative and vision to drive forward the management and development of the West Region.

You will have experience of:-
• project managing community/ arts or music projects
• liaising with multiple partners to deliver workshops programmes
• identifying and applying for funding
• monitoring, reporting and evaluation
• developing sustainable projects

To Apply
Applications in the form of a CV and a personal statement responding to Job Description and Person Specification which you can view here

Please send CV and statement to Mark Randall, 08701 417 484, info@rhythmixmusic.org.uk

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 8th September 5pm
Interviews will take place in the week of 13th September, tbc

Rhythmix goes to Whitehall

Brighton and Hove charities and community groups go to Whitehall to express concern about impact of cuts on most vulnerable in society.

A group of Brighton and Hove charities and community groups with their home at Community Base went to Whitehall yesterday, 27th July 2010, to express their concerns about the future of frontline services to Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society. The visit was arranged by Caroline Lucas, MP for the Brighton Pavilion constituency where Community Base is located. Ms Lucas sought the meeting with the minister after attending a discussion at Community Base's open day on 5th July where frontline groups from across Brighton and Hove expressed concern about the effects that government cuts would have on the most vulnerable members of society. Those representing frontline groups at Community Base at the meeting were Mark Walker (SCIP), Michelle Bridgman and Rory Smith (Gender Trust), Liz Hall (Carousel), Sarah Bourne (Brighton and Hove Volunteers), Lucy Stone (Rhythmix), Colin Holden (East Sussex Credit Union), Carl McAdam (Amaze), Jane Frost (Assert), Jennifer Redman (Cruse), Colin Chalmers (Community Base) and Umit Ozturk (Mediterranean Resources Network). Caroline Lucas MP and Emma Daniel of the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum also attended the meeting.

Everyone at the meeting got a chance to talk to the minister, who recognised there were gaps in services for people with learning disabilities, people with mental health issues and others but said funding cuts were coming. Mr Hurd said that the present funding crisis presented a fantastic opportunity to do things differently and we could expect big changes by the end of the year. Colin Chalmers, director of Community Base, says, "If the Big Society is about grassroots groups helping those most in need, providing cost-effective services without unnecessary bureaucracy and responding to people's needs instead of top-down directives then Community Base is the Big Society in one building. "The groups who went to London today, along with hundreds of other frontline charities and community organisations across Brighton and Hove, provide incredibly cost-effective, much needed services - but are very concerned about the future of these services if cuts are made without thinking through the impact they will have." The Minister for Civil Society accepted an invitation from the meeting to visit Community Base and see for himself the work of the 27 charities and community groups in the building. Photo and notes about the groups from Community Base attending the meeting at www.communitybase.org/whitehallvisit

Viva La Musica: Brighton Big Sing a Great Success!

Brighton Big Sing took place in Jubilee Square on Saturday 17^th April 2010 as part of this year’s Brighton & Hove Children’s Festival.

Juliet Russell led the 100 strong choir on the day, having struggled through the aftermath of the volcanic ash to reach the UK with only moment to spare!

Workshops and rehearsals took place at the Unitarian Church throughout the afternoon attended by children from all over the city creating a wonderful energy before the performance.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch in the sunshine, as children brought the square to life with the beautiful sound of song.

Great fun was had by all – the Children’s Festival, audience, families and of course the stars of the show – the children. There is already a buzz about the next Brighton Big Sing so keep your eye out for future events

Brighton Big Sing was supported by Rhythmix, Brighton & Hove, Music, Arts and Study Support, Sing Up, Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton & Hove Children’s Festival.
Photo taken by Rob Walker - rob@rdwalker.co.uk

Lucky Soul on BBC Radio 2

You've got 5 days left to listen to Lucky Soul on Radcliffe and Marconie show on Radio 2 from Wednesday 9th June.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sn6h6
Russ does some great bass work!