ISLAND MUSIC MAKERS
Inspiring self expression through the creation of music
Supported by:
WELCOME TO ISLAND MUSIC MAKERS!
Writing songs and creating music should be something that everyone has the chance to do. It builds confidence and self esteem, improves mental health and general wellbeing.
It’s also a fun and meaningful way for people to express their thoughts, share personal experiences, and to be heard.
But the benefits don’t stop there! Being involved in creating music is known to boost numeracy and literacy skills, improve speech processing abilities, memory function and motor skills!
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Fun and creative music and songwriting workshops delivered across the Island
Incorporates creative writing, use of rhyming schemes and other areas of English Language curriculum
Supports elements of GCSE and BTEC Music curriculum
YEAR 6 LEAVERS SONGS
Take a look at the music video we made with Year 6 at St Thomas’s of Canterbury Primary! The class took part in a series of 3 song writing workshops where they wrote all their own lyrics, recorded their vocals and created their own music video. The song explores the different memories the group had about their time at the school and how they felt about moving on to the next chapter in their lives.
These are some of the topics covered in our song writing workshops
LYRIC WRITING
-Explore different song themes, structures and rhyming schemes
-Learn about various songwriting techniques and approaches whilst writing their own lyrics
-Edit lyrics to fit with the rhythm of the music and add figurative language to invoke particular emotions
-Fun quizzes and games that help to entrench learning
MUSIC COMPOSITION
-Look at use of major and minor chords in popular music and how they are used to create dynamics within songs
-Use key charts to select chords for a song and learn how to structure a song using different chord progressions
-Create a road map - making decisions about tempo, rhythm and time signature
-Explore different rhythms, picking patterns and chord voicings to further develop the dynamics of the song
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
-Singing rehearsals and coaching in vocal and performance techniques
-Small group tutorials on playing specific instruments
-Work towards a live showcase of songs written during the Lyric Writing and Music Composition workshops
PRICES
Workshop prices are based on whole class and year group teaching and will vary depending on the size of the group and the length of the course or workshop. Please contact Maria using the below button to discuss a tailor made package to meet your schools needs.
The Songwriters Den - performing at the Isle of Wight Festival 2024!
Whether your child already plays an instrument or they’re looking to learn, or if they just enjoy creative writing - they should come along and meet some like minded creatives and start making music! The Songwriters Den is a place for young people to come together and be supported to write songs, as part of a group and as individuals. No experience required.
Age 8-16 yr olds - Newport Congregational Church, Pyle Street
Wednesdays (during term time) - 4pm til 5pm (Oct to July)
-Support to write lyrics and share ideas-
-Learn different song writing techniques and approaches -
-Create chord progressions and compose music-
-Explore instruments and live performance equipment-
-Opportunities to perform songs at local festivals and community venues-
-Option to work towards elements of GCSE and BTEC Music-
PRICE: The first session is free! If they wish to continue after the first session, the cost is £28 per calendar month (paid by standing order from October to July). The price covers the cost of resources as well as performances that take place outside the weekly club sessions.
**If your child is in receipt of support services or free school meals, you are entitled to a discount of 50% (£14 per calendar month). Please be sure to make a note of this on the form when you register your child. **
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The Newport Minster brought us in to work with a group of young people to create a Horrible Histories inspired song and music video about a local pirate called Sir Edward Horsey. This group of 10 young people composed their own music, wrote their own lyrics and created scenes that they acted out with props and costumes. What an amazing job they did!
Boost morale and inspire creativity in your organisation or community group. Bespoke song writing workshops are available to suit your organisations needs. Workshops are suitable for adults, young people and children from 8 years old with no prior music experience needed. You can work towards a group performance and even have your performance recorded or videoed to look back on in years to come. Get in touch to discuss!
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Maria Woodford and I’m a Singer Songwriter and Music Tutor.
I created Island Music Makers to develop more opportunities for creativity in music for people on the Isle of Wight.
Having successfully written, launched and delivered a range of music workshops for my previous company Starling Songwriters, Island Music Makers is my next step in reaching more people and specialising in music creations in an education setting.
I am trained in Coaching and Mentoring, Safeguarding, Mental Health Awareness and have an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check in place.
As a singer and musician I have performed my own original songs, as well as my own unique versions of cover songs at a range of venues across the south coast of England including festivals, fundraising events, weddings and parties, as well as numerous bars and pubs. I also teach children and adults in a range of subjects from Guitar, Ukulele, Vocal Caching and Song Writing and provide mentoring for artists wanting to work towards live performances.
TESTIMONIALS
We booked Maria Woodford to work with our Year 9 GCSE students. We wanted them to explore techniques that would help them compose short pieces of their own, giving them the confidence to meet the coursework expectations further down the line. Maria was always highly supportive, delivered the workshop enthusiastically and our students really enjoyed the experience. I therefore whole-heartedly recommend Maria Woodford as a workshop provider.
(Head of Music at The Island Free School - Mr Gareth Balch)
CONTACT
For all enquiries please contact Maria Woodford:
Phone:
07868651050
Email:
islandmusicmakers@gmail.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/islandmusicmakers