Hull Rhythm Pixies - world urban orchestra

The Hull Rhythm Pixies Urban Orchestra is open for young people aged 13-19 years, from complete beginners to experienced musicians. 

The Hull Rhythm Pixies Urban Orchestra is open for young people aged 13-19 years, from complete beginners to experienced musicians. Young people choose to take part but can also be referred by relevant organisations. 

The group work towards performances mixing a variety of music styles from rock, classical, percussion, vocal, beatbox, rap and scratching.  They work with professional musicians, Donna Smith and Daniel Arce and are also supported by older long-term members who have developed skills as mentors, some of whom are currently working on their Gold Arts Award.

This year the group has worked towards performances at Freedom Festival and Creative Voice Youth Arts Festival. Their first gig involved three sets and took place on the bandstand at Hull’s major outdoor arts festival on Friday 5 September. They first performed their own composed piece, an arrangement of dub step, hip hop and R’n’B.  They then performed a percussion set and concluded with a beat box finale.

They also hosted a music performance and workshop as part of the October half term Youth Arts Festival, at Hull Truck Theatre.  They played their own set plus also invited other young people to perform including Congolese musicians and dancers Solidarity Youth.  African rhythm was added to the mix!

The group are currently working on a mentoring project, visiting youth centres to teach new young people music skills. They have also started learning the traditional Javanese gamelan (bronze percussion ensemble) with the intention to sample for future work. 

Here’s what the Pixies have to say about the experience of working as an ensemble:

• “It’s fun and gave me my first performance in front of a large audience.”
• “It’s great because it is exciting and different.”
• “It makes me more confident.”