Posted on: 15 December, 2014

Orchestra ONE: Project 9

Orchestra ONE Project 9 brought the 3rd of 2014’s projects to an exciting finale with a performance inspired by space exploration and reflections on what it is to be human.  The young musicians, supported by their musical director Ayanna Witter-Johnson and tutors from Kent Music and Rhythmix, created a rich and exciting programme which expressed musically the mystery and wonder of the vastness of space and of our existence on a tiny part of the cosmic stage.  Incorporated into the project were Arts Award and 6 Ways to Wellbeing giving participants the opportunity to improve their life skills and to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Did you enjoy Orchestra ONE?

I had great fun and playing in an orchestra was INCREDIBLE

It has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait till next year

I really love and enjoy Orchestra ONE!

What did you want to achieve during Project 9?

I wanted to make new friends and create new music and I enjoyed making new music out of new ideas

To learn how to play piano and how to learn chords. Now I am learning piano at home and learning music already which is good

To get more confidence, and I did. 

What do you want to do with what you have learnt?

Use it to inspire my own song

Take it into the world and show other people

Introduce it into my music GCSE at school

 

 

Rhythmix Tutors

We had three amazing Rhythmix tutors join Project 9:

Craig Warnock – has been a professional musician for 20yrs specialising in vintage keyboards and also playing electric bass, guitar, drums, percussion and flute while touring with acts such as James Brown, Neil Young & PJ Harvey. Craig has worked extensively with CYP with a range of learning disabilities teaching multi-instrumental skills, composition, song-writing and production and running 1:1 sessions with CYP with complex needs and severe autism who cannot participate in group work.

Richard Smith –  A bass player since the early 80’s, Richard Smith has played in numerous bands. As a young musician, he garnered valuable industry experience alongside Ted Hawkins.  Working as live sound engineer led Richard to producing, arranging and collaborating in various musical projects. He embraced Music Technology and Midi from its inception, pioneering music software. Richard plays bass and co-produces for Raf and O. Trained at Goldsmiths College, Richard is a very experienced freelance music tutor. Richard is a Lecturer teaching Music Technology, Musicianship, Bass Guitar and Improvisation at Greenwich and Lewisham Colleges.

Zoe Konez – From the North West to the South Coast, settling in London via Australia, Zoe Konez is a force of well-travelled, acoustic style. As an inimitable guitarist exploring experimental open tunings and innovative playing techniques, Zoe brings us her unique twist of indie-folk. Through sharp lyrical acumen Zoe shares a tender balance of insightful personal introspection and keen observations on life. Her instinctive connection between word sounds and melodic pattern is woven through cross genre, open songwriting styles and delivered through confident command of her instruments – voice and guitar. Zoe is passionate about musical collaboration and fostering creativity. She leads inspiring community music projects and showcases up-and-coming artists at her successful acoustic night Stop Look Listen.

Orchestra ONE tutors

We were very pleased to welcome a new tutor to Orchestra ONE. Natalie Chivers studied music at Southampton University and plays the unusual mixture of flute and trombone. She works on many music projects in her role as Community Projects Manager for the London Symphony Orchestra, and enjoys working with a range of people and ages from babies and toddlers to teenagers, right through to adult with learning disabilities and older adults in day centres and care homes. Until recently she ran a project called Fusion Orchestra, very similar to Orchestra One, and is very excited to be working in this sort of creative project again.

We were very excited to announce that the Musical Director for Project 9 was Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
Ayanna is an amazing vocalist, cellist, pianist, songwriter and composer. She is also an experienced performer, recording artist, mentor, group leader and vocal coach.

We were also delighted to welcome back Laura and Russ. Laura was our Arts Award Advisor and Russ brought 6 Ways to Wellbeing to Project 9 and we were equally delighted that Joe Browne and Alex Ribchester joined us again as tutors.


To find out more and to keep up-to-date with Orchestra ONE news visit our webpage and follow Orchestra ONE on Facebook!

Or contact Sue Marlow on smarlow@kent-music.com  07936 428436