BPM Trainee (The Hope Creative) – Volunteer Brief

Project Overview:

The Hope Creative is a project for Children in Care in Bristol. Using a creative approach, participants develop their sense of musical-self and explore ways to help reinforce positive identity and self worth.Sessions begin once leaders feel everyone is ready to create together following warm up activities, including elements of drama, singing and mindfulness. Often a new song will be learned as a group, together in a circle. Then, following a break (drink, healthy snack and a good chance to chat) the group works on improving existing repertoire. The session finishes with an informal sharing with carers.At the end of each double term, there is an in-house showing of all repertoire and the group will be offered the chance to perform at the annual Fast Forward Festival at Colston Hall in the summer. Lesson plans will provide a range of suitable activities for all participants. Four times per year, sessions will involve guest specialists (e.g. music technology, composition, etc.).

Project details:

  • No. Settings: 2
  • Format: Creative workshops for Children in Care
  • Sessions per setting: 10 x 3hrs
  • Frequency: One per month
  • Ages: 7-17yrs
  • Max group size: 10
  • Staffing: 4 x Music Leaders, 1 x Trainee, 1 x Peer Mentor

The role:

We are looking for someone to take up this fantastic opportunity to work alongside our experienced Music Leaders to develop their music leading skills, especially with vulnerable children and young people.

The role aims to help you observe and develop the following:

  • Music leading skills
  • Teaching skills
  • Youth work skills
  • Understanding of how music workshops are planned, delivered and reviewed
  • An understanding of the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people

As a trainee, you will support the Music Leaders in the following ways:

  • Assist with the set up and pack down of the space and equipment
  • Support participants where appropriate to get the most from workshop activities
  • Take part in ‘monitoring and evaluation’ by taking registers and attending planning meetings and session debriefs.

You will also be asked to write a diary of your experiences each session, which we will use to monitor the success of the project and to help others interested in this work. You will also have a regular opportunity to meet with an assigned mentor (one of the team you are working alongside) to talk through what you experience during the sessions.

The successful candidate will be someone who has a broad range of musical skills and an understanding of the benefits music can have to young people’s development. They must also have excellent communication skills and a genuine desire to become a first class Music Leader.

The successful applicants will be expected to attend 6 days of CPD certified training across the year (worth £320), at Colston Hall, on the following dates:

  • 17th October 2016
  • 5th December 2016
  • 6th February 2017
  • 10th April 2017
  • 21st May 2017
  • 26th June 2017

And a residential training weekend from the 24th – 26th February 2016 (worth £540).

Bristol Music Trust:

Launched in May 2011 the Bristol Music Trust is an exciting independent charity with two distinct aims.

The first is to manage the operations of Colston Hall, Bristol’s largest concert venue, where people have been enjoying music since 1867; developing a diverse musical programme, leading a major capital refurbishment programme and securing its commercial success. The Hall presents a wonderful opportunity to build a diverse Music & Arts Centre; comprising a traditional concert hall, a smaller intimate hall and an inspiring newly built foyer.

The second aim is to drive forward music across Bristol; working in partnership with city wide organisations; leading on musical education with the creation of Bristol Plays Music, commissioning new works, supporting local musicians, and promoting music across all communities to build on the vibrant talent already in the city. Much more, we want the Bristol music scene to stand out with its own unique culture and internationally renowned reputation.

Bristol Music Trust’s vision is to put music at the heart of Bristol life, and to lead a strategic, holistic, citywide approach to promoting music so that it flourishes through performance, composition, participation and education.

Bristol Plays Music:

Bristol Plays Music (BPM) is the Arts Council England’s Music Education Hub for the city of Bristol. Created from a strategic partnership between Bristol Arts and Music Service and Colston Hall Education, it delivers a broad range of high-quality music education opportunities to both schools and the wider community.

BPM aims to ensure that every young person has access to music education activities and a platform for musical expression.BPM leads delivery on the core and extension roles of the National Plan for Music Education. This includes providing the first access music programme for schools (whole class music tuition for every school child at Key Stage 2), individual and group instrumental tuition, formal and non-formal ensembles and other opportunities to make music with others, access to professional performance and artists, and the delivery of a singing strategy in Bristol.

BPM works with partners across the city to join up the opportunities for teaching, learning and performance and promotes an inspiring shared culture of music making whilst drawing upon the extraordinary richness of talent across the city.

Outline of terms and conditions:

SALARY: This is a Volunteer role, however, we will pay a per diem rate of up to £10 to cover your associated travel and expenses.

TITLE OF POST:BPM Trainee (The Hope Creative)

CONTRACT:Volunteer Agreement

HOURS: 10 x 3hr sessions (once per month over 10 months)

Application:

If this sounds like you and you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Bristol Music Trust volunteer application form available online at http

In the section of the application form entitled “Further information”, please make sure you explain how your skills, knowledge and previous experience, whether paid or unpaid, are relevant to this opportunity and explain both what you would bring to the role and how you feel you would benefit.

The closing date for applications is 9am on 12th September 2016 interviews will be held on 19thSeptember.

Please submit your application (and equal opportunities monitoring form) stating where you saw the role advertised by email to:

E-mail:

(quoting “BPM Trainee” in the subject line)

Post:HR, Bristol Music Trust, Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Bristol Music Trust will then draw up a short-list of candidates to invite for interview. If your application is successful you will be contacted to attend an interview.

Bristol Music Trust is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer

Date created / modified: 19/08/16

Created by: Siggy Patchitt, Education Manager, BPM@CH

Approved by: Marguerite Jenkin, F&C Director, BMT

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