Our Projects
Hear Our Song
An interactive songwriting project with young people across the county in partnership with Voices for Life Children’s Choir.
Performances were held at Wiltshire Music Centre on 22 and 24 November 2023.
About Hear Our Song
Wiltshire Rural Music present Hear Our Song whereby a group of under 10s get to write their own song, teaming up with a local songwriter, and perform it to a large audience.
We had three participating groups - two year groups from Christchurch School in Bradford on Avon, and one crew consisting of Home Educated children in the area! Over the course of three workshop sessions the groups wrote their own anthem which was performed to the audience at WMC in November, complete with a small band accompanying them! Roll over Lloyd Webber, the next generation of composers are hiding somewhere in Wiltshire! The songs were absolutley brilliant. One Christmas song and three weather-related epics were penned by the children under the watchful eye and keen ear of Felicity Courage at the piano.
We would like to thank Walter Guinness Charitable Trust for their support in funding this project.
“I think the song we wrote was absolutely amazing”
“The best thing about writing a song as a group was just being myself”
“Performing the song at WMC has made me proud”
Felicity Courage at Christ Church Primary School, Bradford on Avon, engaged in songwriting workshop
Home Ed group working on their creation with Felicity Courage at WRM
Visible Voices
Visible Voices - a collaborative album of songs from community groups and songwriters across Wiltshire.
“The project was great and the sessions were awesome” - Dawn, Youth Action Wiltshire
“This is truly gorgeous - far exceeded my expectations, and the group members really enjoyed themselves.” - Karolyne, Arts Together
We are so excited to present our finished Visible Voices album, written and recorded by the good people of Wiltshire throughout 2022. After a challenging two years for the marginalised and vulnerable, WRM concocted an ingenious way to get people together once again and to make music and share ideas.
Working with local musicians, we have supported participating groups and organisations to compose their own song or instrumental pieces of music.
How Visible Voices was born
"My expectations were blown out of the water, it was so much fun, they were cheeky, they were full of life and I was really interested to see how much of a big part music is to them and their club, so I wanted to involve that when writing the song" Tamsin Quin, writer for Mill Street Club.
We began working with a diverse range of community groups, starting with Alzheimer’s Support and their Mill Street Club in Trowbridge (pictured), and Doorway, a charity drop-in centre in Chippenham for those who are homeless, sofa surfing or vulnerably housed in a tenancy. In the early part of 2022 we also started writing songs with Devizes/Trowbridge based art group Arts Together. As word got out, more and more communities were approached we soon had 9 community hubs booked in ready for their songwriting session. Each participating group were allocated a local musician who worked closely with members, taking time to understand their needs, dreams, and aspirations. From this creative process, ideas evolved as well as themes for lyrics and music. Support was provided through workshops, interviews, and live sessions, giving musicians the tools to write their own songs for the first time, and recipients the chance to be involved in the creative process and get a sense of ownership over the finished piece.
All final songs and instrumental music were either recorded on site, or after the session and are now available as digital downloads or CD through our Bandcamp page. All tracks sold will raise funds for the groups involved.
Songwriters and Groups involved:
Daisy Chapman & Arts Together Devizes and Trowbridge
Gavin Osborn & Doorway
Tamsin Quin & Mill Street Club
Gecko & Trowbridge Future
Will Lawton with Youth Action Wiltshire
Tracy Graham and Luiza Moir & Sounds Like Women
Emma Hughes & Stepping Stones
Good Habits & Erlestoke Prison
Tim Gilvin & LGBTQ+ Devizes
Tracy Graham @ Sounds Like Women
Daisy Chapman @ Arts Together
Gecko @ Trowbridge Futures
Keep Music In Mind
WRM aims to celebrate the benefits of live music to older people living with dementia, as well as people of all ages living in isolated communities without access to live venues. Bringing a varied programme of events based on the needs of each group, care home or individual, the ultimate goal is to help with health, wellbeing, memory and cognitive functioning, by reaching the most vulnerable members of our community.
Initially, this project has focussed on residential and care homes, especially those that don’t receive much funding for activities, in areas that traditionally have been excluded and isolated. We feel that everyone can benefit from taking part in singing workshops, interactive music technology, live performances and music/movement sessions, but not every area can afford to fund it. From our first few performances in care homes in early 2020, we saw first-hand the benefits residents were getting from being in a relaxed, welcoming environment with the opportunity to experience, listen to and participate in live music. We were thrilled to have brought the initiative back in 2022 as soon as access restrictions in care homes were lifted.
“We didn’t want the musicians to leave. This has been one of the loveliest afternoons of my life” – Molly, resident at Wiltshire Heights Care Home, Bradford-on-Avon
“Thank you so much for coming to entertain us…it was absolutely brilliant. Everyone enjoyed it. Please come again soon.” – Grant Newton, Head of Day Care services, Mill Street Club, Trowbridge
We are seeking funding as a health and well being project - equally focused on rural isolation - that should appeal to Area Boards, arts organisations and local benefactors who care about the older generation in their communities. This funding will help us Keep Music In Mind throughout 2023.
Dial M for Music
Bringing live music into the homes of elderly and isolated people across the county during the pandemic
Wiltshire Rural Music has made phone calls and provided personalised music throughout the lockdown to spread joy throughout Wiltshire.
With the help of Alzheimer’s Support, Wiltshire Rural Music was able to connect with the people who needed this service the most.
Frankie & Gladys
Creative director of Wiltshire Rural Music, Gavin Osborn said: “Making a call to someone lonely or isolated is an act of kindness, it is so easy to do, and people of all ages can benefit from it.
“At Wiltshire Rural Music we want to connect with as many people as possible, especially those who love music.
“Having made a few of these calls already, it is magical to bring a little joy into their day with live music and warm conversation.
Grant Newton, head of day care services, Mill Street Club: “Keeping people connected and feeling valued in whatever restricted form we can is essential to the wellbeing and support of people with dementia, their partners and families.
“Disruption to routine, social isolation and separation from family is significantly affecting most of those we support.”
“The technology is simple, instantly available and it is like being sung and played to by a good friend. The responses so far have been fantastic and we are so grateful to Wiltshire Rural Music for offering this to us.”
Gavin & Phyllis
Gavin Osborn added: “In a time when people who already feel isolated find themselves unable to see family and friends, sometimes a simple phone call can make the difference between a good day and a bad one.”
If you know someone that would appreciate a musical phone call, or if you would like to donate to this project, email info@wiltshireruralmusic.co.uk