Visible Voices begins in Trowbridge and Chippenham
Our ‘Visible Voices’ project has begun in Trowbridge and Chippenham, with two local songwriters working with organisations to create their own unique song, co-composed by the members themselves.
People across Wiltshire have turned to music during the recent crisis to help them through what has been a challenging time for everyone. From virtual concerts via YouTube to apartment block sing-a-longs, music has bought joy and laughter and helped maintain a sense of community. It has helped fill a void and provided an opportunity for people to celebrate who they are and where they come from.
Wiltshire Rural Music wants to capture this creative spirit by providing space and opportunity where people can express themselves through their own words and music. We support community groups and marginalised communities to use music to celebrate who they are. Everyone has the creative potential within themselves to tell their story. Working with local musicians, we are supporting participating groups and organisations to compose their own song or instrumental pieces of music.
We have begun working with a diverse range of community groups, starting with Alzheimer’s Support and their Mill Street Club in Trowbridge, and Doorway, a charity drop-in centre in Chippenham for those who are homeless, sofa surfing or vulnerably housed in a tenancy.
Each participating group are allocated a local musician who will work closely with members, taking time to understand their needs, dreams, and aspirations. From this creative process will evolve ideas and themes for lyrics and music. Support will be provided through workshops, zoom meetings, 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 will be professionally recorded and released both digitally and on a unique EP, which will be sold to raise funds for the groups involved.
If you would like your organisation to take part and write your own song, please get in touch with us. We are especially looking to hear from LGBTQ+, BAME groups, local refugee centres and anyone who feels their voice needs to be heard.
Please email an expression of interest or how you’d like to get involved to creativedirector@wiltshireruralmusic.co.uk.