Page 132 - ASMF Marriner 100 Coverage Book

has been leading the Academy’s partnership with this initiative, which is set to continue into the
foreseeable future.

The music programmes at The Connection are open to anyone who comes to the day centre. It is an
environment where participants can connect with each other and explore their own voice and
creativity through music and other creative workshops.

My involvement came through the Open Academy Department, the Royal Academy of Music’s
community and participation department. I was involved with the creation of a Soundwalk, an
undertaking which not only marks 25 years of the ASMF working with the homeless community, but
also part of the celebrations for the centenary of the orchestra’s founder, Sir Neville Marriner. The
Soundwalk includes music composed by the clients from the centre, as well as the opportunity for
incorporating lyrics or spoken word with the guidance of writer, Hazel Gould. This special project was
recorded and will be available to listen to digitally while walking around St Martin in the Field’s and
Covent Garden.

Going into this experience, I was looking forward to meeting everyone involved. My hope was to make
meaningful musical contributions to the group, as well as get to know each individual through musical
explorations and improvisations together. My first session at The Connection was the third session of
the term. As part of this workshop, we started exploring words to create a song. It can feel vulnerable
to contribute an idea, but the workshop space creates an environment where everyone can contribute
in any way. There were lots of participants in this session and some lovely connections were made.
For example, two participants began playing together in a call and response way, which happened
organically, and it was lovely to see. Another was full of ideas, and he encouraged others too.

The next session I attended was divided into two parts: music and writing. Jackie warmed up the
group with musical games, such as a call and response rhythm game and a warm-up jam. In these
warm-ups you could hear how each person was feeling depending on how they would play their
instrument. I enjoyed the warm-up jams because there was a space for each person to play a short
musical improvisation. This reminded me why I enjoyed playing music as a child, because I was able
to express myself without having to articulate it in words. Now that music is my career, it can be easier
to lose sight of the playfulness and creativity of it. It has reminded me to play the harp for the child
within me, who expressed herself with no self-judgement. Hazel then came to do a writing workshop
to encourage lyric writing. We were split into smaller groups and each given an object. We were
thinking about the story behind the object and if the object were to have feelings, what they might be.
By the end of the session, we had created a verse that we spoke together; some people spoke the
lyrics on their own which was a very special moment.

The last session I attended was more focused on rehearsing all our ideas for the song to be recorded
for the Soundwalk in two weeks’ time. The harp seemed to act as a linchpin for the group as I was
able to outline the harmony which grounded the song in this workshop. I worked with the rhythm
section to ground the harmony, and then the other two groups explored drumming rhythms and a
melody.

It was a wonderful experience to be a part of this project, and to witness such a welcoming space was
really special. Being able to show up, be your authentic self and be able to participate in any way you
like with no judgement is truly amazing. You can see the confidence it builds and the joy it brings to
each person. I have been reminded that music doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful, and
everyone can write music or lyrics, especially when it comes from the heart. The only way to create in
this way is to be in a safe and encouraging space, which is exactly what music at The Connection is.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields' SoundWalk A City Full of Stories is a free,
immersive audio experience part of the Marriner 100 Celebrations. To take part in the
SoundWalk, visit St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, and scan the QR code.

Posted by Planet Hugill at Wednesday, April 17, 2024