The Boom Dang Foundation’s Award nomination
Recently The Boom Dang Foundation were nominated for a Social Action Award at this year’s Youth Music in association with Hal Leonard Europe Awards for their project Beat Loop. There were hundreds of nominations for the awards so being short listed is a fantastic achievement and something to be really proud of. Youth Music have invited The Boom Dang Foundation to the awards ceremony which is taking place on the 20th of October 2021 at Troxy, London. The winners for each category will be revealed on the night.
This fabulous team of musicians and experienced artistic facilitators don’t often blow their own trumpets so I’m here to tell you more about Beat Loop and why they have been nominated.
What is Beat Loop
Beat Loop is a project created specifically for children and young people who for various reasons need to spend time in the residential homes or respite centres run by Cumbria Children’s Services. The Boom Dang Foundation have been running these kinds of projects for nine years and have worked hard to train a team and keep training apprentice musicians in the specific skills needed to work with these vulnerable groups. They work very closely with social workers and key workers who are also involved in all the workshops.
What do they do?
The workshops include working with live loops using Logic, finding sounds, creating new tracks using these found sounds, learning about chord formation and then writing new tunes on the keyboard. Writing soundtracks for animations, learning about Foley. Also learning about rhythm, composition using drums, playing as a band, learning about how to make musical arrangements, skill sharing (getting young people to teach the staff who are on duty) and finish with compliments.
The workshops take place in living rooms in the residential settings. Often, they are the first activity that the young people do together and sometimes it’s the first time they have met. A safe environment is created and there’s a chance to build friendships with the people they are going to live with.
These young people have unsafe, transient, interrupted lives. They have a lot to deal with and could feel vulnerable, angry, isolated and confused. The music sessions are a chance for them to try something new, express themselves and communicate with others using a shared interest.
A commitment to learning
The team work with the young people to help them achieve their Bronze Arts Awards accredited by Trinity College, London. These are equivalent to half a GCSE. The work for the award is incorporated into the sessions and includes writing about their Arts Heroes, learning new skills, reviewing a cultural activity, passing on skills and learning about leadership.
What’s next?
The team are committed to continuing their work with Looked After Children. They are also committed to developing as a team and continuing to train apprentice musicians in this work.
It’s not often we get to hear about this kind of invaluable work, so it’s a real pleasure to write about it and spread the word about this important work. Well done to The Boom Dang Foundation for such a well-deserved nomination.