A world of music sounds in schools

Rotherham-based Artful Make It Happen has been taking its “pop-up, travelling music tent” to young people and communities with events at schools and festivals, to give people the chance to play world music instruments and take part in performances led by local musicians.

Blackburn Primary School was the latest to host a workshop with Zimbabwean musician Sinini Ngwenya who now lives and works in South Yorkshire and has previously performed at Rotherham Show.  

Creative director of Artful Vicky Hilton said: “The project came from a huge need out in the communities of Rotherham.

“We found that young people weren’t getting access to music and the chance to play musical instruments.

“With thanks to funding from South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF), we have been able to work with hundreds of young people across the borough, providing high quality music experiences and work with many locally based musicians.”

SYCF chief executive Ruth Willis said: “Artful are hitting the right notes to share the enjoyment of music to new and younger audiences in Rotherham and with our community grants funding, they’ve allowed them to sample a diverse range of musical instruments from different continents such as Africa and Asia.”