A band for all abilities.

Introducing Switch - mac birmingham’s resident young person’s band created through mac makes music’s inclusive band development project.

With a repertoire of ten original songs, performed at mac and other local venues, Switch have now created a music video for their signature tune: “Switch on Your Happy Side”: https://vimeo.com/131081757

The title of the song echoes the sentiment and motivation of the group. They write big themed songs, of friendship, community, love and football! The name, Switch, came out of one of the many lively band discussions in which one young musician enthused about the notion of being able to “switch on” their “happy side” at will, as with the push of a button.

There is a lot of reciprocity in Switch: they support each other musically and personally. Many of the young people face challenges in their lives and yet they exude positivity in their music making and, in particular, their performances. Their confidence and sense of fun on stage is infectious.

There are mixed abilities in the group but all have progressed musically. Some members were reluctant to sing at the start and are now beginning to take on lead vocals. All have developed their sense of rhythm. The introduction of i-pads as instruments enabled two young people to engage musically, developing their confidence to try other things. Three who had existing music skills have developed their confidence as performers, learned new skills in song writing, become mentors for other less confident members and have broadened their music knowledge as well as skills. One band member who played guitar, is now learning to play bass guitar. Most members now have their Bronze Arts Award as a consequence.

Key ingredients for success

• The music leaders create an enabling, creative environment where everyone’s contribution is valued. They model and champion collaboration and go that extra mile to find ways to include everyone. • Young people have made choices about their level of involvement and personal goals. • All the songs are written by the young people, around topics that interest them. We have genuinely seen the confidence of young people build and seen talent flourish when they are given space, encouragement and time to express themselves.

Key challenges

From the start of the project the aim was to create a resident band at mac, to give the band autonomy and recruit young people from a range of settings. After a year, making the transition from working in the setting, where we first met the young people, to then having the band based at mac remains a key challenge. We now have to consider both operational and pastoral matters that were predominantly managed by a partner organisation. We now fully appreciate the extent of the role that youth centres, charities and schools play in supporting young people in their music making and we envisage that working in partnership will always be a key to the success of the work.

We asked the music leaders what they have learned from their work with Switch:

“To find the right framework to allow individuals of varying abilities to develop equally.”

“Preparation and planning is key. If everything is aligned then the music leader can 'let go' and magic can happen.”

“Given the right environment, access to a range of instruments/resources they may not have used before, and introduction to new music genres, it is possible for the music leader to stand back - and in doing so allow young people to flourish and shine creatively.”

…and what they feel is the most important thing in making projects like this work:

“Targets and outcomes such as live shows and recordings, music videos - opportunities to share work and engage with the wider community”

“Enthusiasm and passion for music - from both participants and music leaders.”

“Support/champions from staff within the setting.”

“To be flexible and open minded. To capture what is unique to that particular group, and while being prepared, not to have a pre-conceived agenda and allow the group and individuals to develop in a way that is relevant to them.”

Switch will appear next at mac’s Summer Sessions on 16 July along with Dan Whitehouse, the lead musician who supports them, and the Bad Habits another mac makes music band from Worcestershire. http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/summer-sessions-2015/