Music Maze

Title of project:

Music Maze

Brief overview of initiative or, if relevant, organisational strategy in regards to bringing new music to new audiences:

Country/region:

Did the initiative focus on a particular music type/genre? If so, please give details:

Contemporary Classical Music

If relevant, location/venue type:

CBSO Centre, Birmingham

Average age range of audience or any other binding factor (for example location or other demographic). Please provide details below.

8-11-year-olds

Duration/Regularity:

8 times a year

Aims/objectives:

1. to introduce young people to contemporary classical music
2. to create high-quality opportunities for young people to create new music
3. to offer the composing processes and techniques of the featured composer/piece as a stimulus for children’s own composing
4. to promote contemporary classical music as an evolving relevant art form
5. to develop and research the practice and pedagogy of teaching and learning composing

What activities are included in the project?

Composing

If appropriate, who are the targeted groups?

Young people

Has the project been evaluated? If so, please explain how:

Yes, it was part of an action research project and regular feedback from children and parents is requested and given.

Outcomes of the project:

“1. More children composing
2. A regular opportunity for like-minded young people to meet and compose
3. A better understanding of how children compose
4. A better understanding of how we can facilitate children’s composing
5. High-quality music created by young people
6. Raising the profile of children composing
7. New digital resources supporting using existing music as a stimulus for children’s composing”

Links to Media & Resources

http://resources.bcmg.org.uk/music-maze/

Quotations from participants and artists:

“It gives us a new way of looking at music’
‘Cool, awesome, fun, exciting, relaxing’
‘It’s very fun and inspires me to be a musician when I grow up’
‘I’ve learnt a different way to play my instrument’
‘I would love to go again. Every time I come here I always leave the door with a big smile'”

Do you have any data on the longer-term impact of the project/event on participants?

Just anecdotal. Many children progress onto other BCMG projects

Please give details about what steps have been taken to make projects or events accessible to people with disabilities or learning difficulties:

“The CBSO Centre is wheelchair accessibility. Support is brought in to support young people with additional needs.”

Please provide 5 key recommendations for determining good practice in projects that aim to engage new audiences with new music?

“1. Allow people to understand music from the inside by creating opportunities to create their own
2. When using repertoire as a stimulus for composing don’t just use the extra-musical ideas
3. Think carefully about how new music is presented and performed to your audience
4. Choose your programme carefully but don’t dumb down
5. Make sure there are progression routes and people are signposted between different opportunities
6. People come to new music in different ways, not just through concerts”

Future plans

A book about Music Maze.

Contact info

Nancy Evans: nancy@bcmg.org.uk

TAGS/KEY WORDS for whole website

repertoire project, children, composing