Day: April 23, 2012

Let's hear it for CORE's Soundkidz!

On Saturday 31 March, a group of children took to the stage in the theatre of North Edinburgh Arts Centre to perform songs and lyrics that they had written.  You would be forgiven for thinking that these children must have been from one of the capital’s specialist music schools…but these mini composers were showcasing music which they had been working on for just 14 weeks at Soundkidz music group. Organised by CORE and funded by Creative Scotland with in-kind support from North Edinburgh Arts and Edinburgh Mela , the group let the children explore their musical creativity every Saturday afternoon at North Edinburgh Arts.

With the help of youth workers Tamsin Dearnley and Kirsty Miguda, the group worked with a variety of musicians from a range of musical backgrounds. From conducting and African drumming to jazz singing and lyric writing, the children got a taste of the diverse directions in which music could take them. They also began writing their own lyrics and songs, creating individual pieces and group performances. After a few weeks, the children were ready to compose a whole song as a group. They chose the guitar chords, wrote the lyrics and a melody and rehearsed until they knew their song inside out.

At the performance, the audience first heard members of the group recite lyrics which they had written. From lions and horses to video games and city life, the audience gained an insight into where the children’s imaginations had taken them. The children then showcased group pieces that they had composed during a session in which they had been given a word, a rhythm, a percussion instrument and just 30 minutes to create a piece.

The show’s finale arrived. Gathered together on the stage, with guitarist Stuart Taylor to accompany them, the children launched into the catchy chorus of the song that they had written. At the end the audience clapped and cheered as the children took their bows and received their certificates (along with a copy of the CD which they had recorded the previous week). A brilliant performance by North Edinburgh’s budding musicians!

Let’s hear it for CORE’s Soundkidz!

On Saturday 31 March, a group of children took to the stage in the theatre of North Edinburgh Arts Centre to perform songs and lyrics that they had written.  You would be forgiven for thinking that these children must have been from one of the capital’s specialist music schools…but these mini composers were showcasing music which they had been working on for just 14 weeks at Soundkidz music group. Organised by CORE and funded by Creative Scotland with in-kind support from North Edinburgh Arts and Edinburgh Mela , the group let the children explore their musical creativity every Saturday afternoon at North Edinburgh Arts.

With the help of youth workers Tamsin Dearnley and Kirsty Miguda, the group worked with a variety of musicians from a range of musical backgrounds. From conducting and African drumming to jazz singing and lyric writing, the children got a taste of the diverse directions in which music could take them. They also began writing their own lyrics and songs, creating individual pieces and group performances. After a few weeks, the children were ready to compose a whole song as a group. They chose the guitar chords, wrote the lyrics and a melody and rehearsed until they knew their song inside out.

At the performance, the audience first heard members of the group recite lyrics which they had written. From lions and horses to video games and city life, the audience gained an insight into where the children’s imaginations had taken them. The children then showcased group pieces that they had composed during a session in which they had been given a word, a rhythm, a percussion instrument and just 30 minutes to create a piece.

The show’s finale arrived. Gathered together on the stage, with guitarist Stuart Taylor to accompany them, the children launched into the catchy chorus of the song that they had written. At the end the audience clapped and cheered as the children took their bows and received their certificates (along with a copy of the CD which they had recorded the previous week). A brilliant performance by North Edinburgh’s budding musicians!

Drylaw launches Food Blog

Drylaw Cooking Group launched their new Blog last week and invited locals into the centre to watch cooking demonstrations, buy cakes, take part in a best apron competition and much more.

Elizabeth Graham (left) and Shay Dean (right) launch the Blog. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

The evening was sponsored by Sainsbury’s at Craigleith and Shay Dean the stores PR Ambassador was on hand to assist with the launch night. Around 50 members of the community came along and the night was hailed a success by Elizabeth Graham, Project Worker at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, she said “Our cooking group has been meeting for around two years at the centre and we thought that a great way to spread the word of what we are doing and our recipes is with a Blog. Each week we will update the Blog with recipes and photos from that week and hope that other local people can try some of our recipes.”

Shay Dean from Sainsbury’s said “Our Community Grants Fund is made up of the money raised from the Bags for Life scheme. We granted an award to Drylaw of £150.00 for this Blog launch and I am delighted to come along tonight to represent the store. We also have other projects from North Edinburgh who we are currently assisting with applications and these include PEP, Blackhall Primary School and Craigroyston Girls Football Club.”

Local woman Anne Murray won the best apron competition, and its clear she was a deserved winner as a lot of time and effort has clearly gone into her apron.

Anne Murray receives her prize for the best apron competition. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

You can follow the Drylaw Cooking Group Blog by clicking here.

Drylaw launches Food Blog

Drylaw Cooking Group launched their new Blog last week and invited locals into the centre to watch cooking demonstrations, buy cakes, take part in a best apron competition and much more.

Elizabeth Graham (left) and Shay Dean (right) launch the Blog. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

The evening was sponsored by Sainsbury’s at Craigleith and Shay Dean the stores PR Ambassador was on hand to assist with the launch night. Around 50 members of the community came along and the night was hailed a success by Elizabeth Graham, Project Worker at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, she said “Our cooking group has been meeting for around two years at the centre and we thought that a great way to spread the word of what we are doing and our recipes is with a Blog. Each week we will update the Blog with recipes and photos from that week and hope that other local people can try some of our recipes.”

Shay Dean from Sainsbury’s said “Our Community Grants Fund is made up of the money raised from the Bags for Life scheme. We granted an award to Drylaw of £150.00 for this Blog launch and I am delighted to come along tonight to represent the store. We also have other projects from North Edinburgh who we are currently assisting with applications and these include PEP, Blackhall Primary School and Craigroyston Girls Football Club.”

Local woman Anne Murray won the best apron competition, and its clear she was a deserved winner as a lot of time and effort has clearly gone into her apron.

Anne Murray receives her prize for the best apron competition. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

You can follow the Drylaw Cooking Group Blog by clicking here.

Drylaw launches Food Blog

Drylaw Cooking Group launched their new Blog last week and invited locals into the centre to watch cooking demonstrations, buy cakes, take part in a best apron competition and much more.

Elizabeth Graham (left) and Shay Dean (right) launch the Blog. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

The evening was sponsored by Sainsbury’s at Craigleith and Shay Dean the stores PR Ambassador was on hand to assist with the launch night. Around 50 members of the community came along and the night was hailed a success by Elizabeth Graham, Project Worker at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, she said “Our cooking group has been meeting for around two years at the centre and we thought that a great way to spread the word of what we are doing and our recipes is with a Blog. Each week we will update the Blog with recipes and photos from that week and hope that other local people can try some of our recipes.”

Shay Dean from Sainsbury’s said “Our Community Grants Fund is made up of the money raised from the Bags for Life scheme. We granted an award to Drylaw of £150.00 for this Blog launch and I am delighted to come along tonight to represent the store. We also have other projects from North Edinburgh who we are currently assisting with applications and these include PEP, Blackhall Primary School and Craigroyston Girls Football Club.”

Local woman Anne Murray won the best apron competition, and its clear she was a deserved winner as a lot of time and effort has clearly gone into her apron.

Anne Murray receives her prize for the best apron competition. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

You can follow the Drylaw Cooking Group Blog by clicking here.