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Interactive Junk Music Workshops for Schools

At The Creative Stage

Everyone gets to drum and experience fun and focused activities to energise education and events. Movement and rhythm games to increase spatial awareness and boost physical fitness. Rhyme and Rhythm activities to support language learning through repetition and increase muscle memory. Learn and play from a range of over 25 original songs (including the current favourite song “Alligator in an Elevator”). Developing songs and rhythms for expressing stories or curriculum themes. Appreciating the sound and new purposes for everyday objects and junk developing a pride in the environment and resourceful thinking. Learning rhythms from different cultural perspectives and how they relate to community outreach events, celebrations and how rhythm patterns can connect to maths. Hands on experience with Music Tech using audio recording with sampler pedals, voice changers and other digital equipment. Team building activities to inspire new positive relationships.

Format

45 minute sessions throughout a school day allowing for 40 students at a time a full day can cover whole school participation.

Age Groups

All Year Groups

Public Workshop

Alligator In An Elevator (Workshop Song Example)

Recycling Song

Recycling Song

Additional Information

SEN

Being in control of the sound and the volume has a significant effect on pupils being able to express themselves via drumming / singing. Even noise sensitive pupils have removed their ear protection after realising that it is surprisingly not that loud and that they are actually in control. (the smiles say it all really). The workshops are structured for learning dynamics, spatial awareness, social and language skills through drumming / singing / song writing and creating soundscapes. Other accessible equipment is brought into to support the music including a Soundbeam 5 with 2 soundbeams that are protected by 2 worry monsters :-) (another Soundbeam 2 can be brought in for larger groups). There is also another resource that is brought along, which is a unique way to turn any bodies brainwaves into music using an EEG headset and some software that Paul has combined. The greatest quote I heard once whilst a teacher was wearing the EEG headset was from a pupil who said “Think of Chocolate” :-)

(Optional: For a more gentle activity we also offer Gongs and Singing Bowl experience where pupils and staff can bring calm and focus to their day).

 

SUSTAINABILITY

The ethos of utilising resources in the local environment and motivating through fun and educational musical activities is at the core of what Drum Runners do.

Making junk drums and instruments is an activity that can be delivered if necessary. Developing Community Outreach Projects (e.g Carnival / Light Parades) alongside Business In Development Groups or other community interest groups can have great economic and environmental benefits to the school and the local community.

 

TEAM BUILDING

Physical movement is also a great way to contribute to health and wellbeing with drumming being a great way for everyone to create lasting social bonds and develop peer support. This activity also extends to the wider school community who can use it for celebration / fund raising events.

Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Links

CULTURAL EDUCATION
Paul has worked with many diverse cultural groups and learnt rhythms and musical sensibility specifically from Latin American (including Samba, Salsa plus others), Middle Eastern, Balkan, African and Irish. A lot of non-Western rhythms are learnt phonetically so musical language also breaks down barriers between language and culture.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Pulse8 from Drum Runners is a cardio-vascular workout of drumming and moving. Participants use bicycle wheel drums and learn rhythms to suport the moves. Fun moves include "Silly Lilly" / Viking Striking" / Square Bear" plus many more. The lessons start with a muscular and mental warm up and encourages the group to pick up the pace for a great unique workout or fundraising activity.
ENGLISH
Songs can be stories or poems that develop phrases and emotional meaning. The flow and rhythm of a story can mimic the beginning, middle and end of a song. The benefits of structuring a story, poem or song can lead to a deeper understanding of subject material. e.g Paul once condensed a 30 page Cultural Strategy Report into a 10 line song using keywords. A song can be like a cue or revision card.
LANGUAGES
Musical language is one of the first skills we learn as we develop our speech and develop our voices. Every language can have pitch, rhythm, tonality, dynamics and form. Paul is currently also learning the Welsh language as a part of his continual professional development and to follow the bardic tradition of poems and song writing.
MATHS
The connection between rhythms from different parts of the world can also be linked to “Euclid”, a Greek Mathematician and the Father of Geometry. These musical patterns can be seen in other art forms and opens up new ways of linking learning together. e.g the theme tune to the Magic Roundabout TV show (circa 1964) is similar to African rhythms “Moribayassa” and “Sunsum”. Patterns are everywhere
MUSIC
Music is an expressive art that connects other art forms and develops interest in other areas of living. Rhythm gives us the pace and direction of travel and makes us move, feel and think. Rhythm often has melody, accents and punctuates a series of musical events. Paul is a Multi-Percussionist and can bring interesting drums, percussion and rhythms that may not often be seen or heard in schools.
PSHE
The combination of delivering soft skills, technical skills and emotional resilience skills is a foundation to the work that is delivered with the Workshops. All gender and diversities become equal within a drum workshop setting but also leadership skills are also promoted within the groups. Paul from Drum Runners has a vast experience of developing his career and pupils enjoy his story.

Cost

Workshop fees range from £150 to £350 depending on half day or full day and length of travel.

Testimonials

Just had a brilliant day at school with Paul from Drum runners. We booked the Junk workshop for 6 KS1 classes. He was enthusiastic, entertaining and engaged the children brilliantly. Children and staff are asking already when he can return!

C Booth, Alwyn Infants School, Maidenhead

We had a wonderful Junk Workshop from Paul at Drumrunners. Pupils really enjoyed and Paul delivered an excellent workshop, where pupils could express themselves creatively. His expertise and management of the pupils was excellent.

G Lewis, Ysgol Bryn Teg, Llanelli

Such a fun, interactive and inclusive session for our students. Thank you.

G Campbell, Bristol Brunel Academy

Checklist

About This Provider (Drum Runners)
Drum Workshops for Schools
Head Office: Drum Runners, Ebbw Vale, Blaneau Gwent, NP23

Drum Runners support the school community to create their best performances and to work as a team. Be at the Creative Stage with a mix of interactive junk music workshops, music tech and themed song writing for a complete physical and mental workout. Everyone gets to drum and experience fun and focused activities to energise education and elevate events. Discover the rhyme and rhythm with interactive junk drumming workshops and make repetition a fun and rewarding learning activity. Combined with song writing and singing, the cross-cultural drum rhythms can support multiple learning themes and further support confident voices and new phonic skills. Musical activities can encourage lateral thinking across different art forms and curriculum subjects. * Group sizes up to 40 * Perfect for outdoor or indoor learning (all battery powered) * Competitive rates * Great reviews * DBS checked (On an update service) * PLI up to £10 million * Self Employed status (UTR & CDP No. available)

Delivery Format
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45 minute sessions throughout a school day allowing for 40 students at a time a full day can cover whole school participation.
Requirements
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Need at least a 4 metre square space (either indoors or outdoors).

No electric or tables or chairs required.

 

Event Days
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Earth Day, International Day of Mathematics, Maths Awareness Month, National Numeracy Day, National Poetry Day, Olympics, Sports Day, World Maths Day, World Mental Health Day, World Music Day
Available Regions
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Locations in England
Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

Locations in Wales
Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan

Contact Drum Runners (External Provider) to book this Workshop.
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