What is the Key Changers Artistic Development and Leadership Programme?

The Key Changers Programme is for anyone who feels they will benefit from support and training to develop their leadership and/or artistic skills. By the end of the programme you will be able to lead music workshops in various community settings.You will learn ‘workshop development’ – how to lead a creative process with a group. That might be your band or a group within a setting like a homeless hostel or refugee centre.

Everybody has their own unique career goals and this programme will also help to develop your artistic practice. The Key Changers Programme takes a ‘person-centred’ approach by offering a wide range of workshops so that participants can develop personally, socially and creatively.

Who is the programme for?

Our focus is the development of musical skills and leadership styles in under-represented musicians. We want to create artists and community musicians who are representative of the communities we work in. We are looking for musicians who have experienced addiction and/or trauma and/or displacement and/or challenging mental health. We are keen to hear from people who are proficient with at least one instrument.

When and Where will the programme take place?

Key Changers will launch in September 2024. The programme is across 10 days between January – June 2025. We are looking for 12 participants who will attend the training days in central Brighton.

What will the Key Changers Programme give you?

• You will be given the space to develop and explore how to start a career in community music, working towards becoming a Community Musician.
• You will learn a range of musical exercises to develop a ‘tool kit’ that can be used in lots of different settings.
• Through exploring leadership and facilitation styles, the programme will teach you the skills to be able to lead music workshops with a range of people.
• You will be given an overview of community music across the UK.
• The programme will help to nurture your creativity.
• By the end of the programme you will be able to engage those who are brand new to music making.

What do we mean by a ‘Community Musician’?

A Community Musician is able to facilitate a group of people to make music together. They often work with groups who have limited musical knowledge. A Community Musician is not a traditional music teacher or music therapist. However, many Community Musicians develop these other skills alongside their training. Community Musicians play an important role in various settings as music has been shown to have a positive impact on wellbeing and helps develop social skills and confidence.

DATES FOR THE KEY CHANGERS PROGRAMME 2024/2025

• Day 1: Thursday 16th January 2025
• Day 2: Friday 17th January 2025
• Day 3: Friday 14th February 2025
• Day 4: Saturday 15th February 2025
• Day 5: Friday 13th March 2025
• Day 6: Saturday 14th March 2025
• Day 7: Thursday 24th April 2025
• Day 8: Friday 25th April 2025
• Day 9: Friday 16th May 2025
• Day 10: Friday 6th June 2025

Click here for course outline. 

Before you apply, you need to be able to answer YES to these four questions:

1) Are you an ‘under-represented’ musician? By that we mean have you overcome challenging circumstances? (Some examples might be; in recovery from addiction; living with a mental health condition; have refugee status).

2) Can you play at least one instrument and are you confident enough to play that instrument in a group setting? 

• You don’t need to be able to read music, but you do need to be accomplished on at least one instrument. Some examples might be: playing in a band or busking, jamming at home with friends. If you apply, you will be asked to send a short video of you playing an instrument.

3) Have you got a supportive network around you? 

• Some examples might be attending regular 12 Step meetings, access to a therapist, other close supportive friends/family. (This is important as we will not be able to provide therapeutic support on this programme).

4) Can you attend all 10 training days of the programme? 

What are our expectations if you are accepted onto the Key Changers programme?

• You must have been sober for at least a year. If you are applying because you have someone close to you who has been affected by addiction, then we want to know how you are managing this and what support you have in place.
• We will want to know whether you are engaging with other support services.
• We expect you to be able to learn in a group setting and respectfully interact with others.
• We expect you to be able to attend ALL of the sessions. Please check the dates carefully before applying.

HOW TO APPLY:

We will need two things from you:

• A video of you playing at least one instrument. Show us how you might use your musical skills. If you are a singer, please demonstrate your vocal abilities. We believe you don’t need to be able to read music to be a confident community musician.
• You will need to fill in a form and answer four questions.

Both the video and form need to be sent to Lucy@newnote.co.uk

Dates for the application process:

Stage 1: 23rd September 2024 Key Changers Programme opens for applications. This will close on 15th November 2024.

Stage 2: Throughout December 2024 applicants will be notified if they have a place.

Ready to apply? Please click on the button to download the form.