Month: October 2024

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blog Featured Projects MAES

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

We had a blast at our recent Music Course, funded by MAES. The two week programme was filled with songwriting, music production, and radio workshops. Meanwhile, to close the project, all the songs our participants created were showcased on a live radio show on Reform Radio.

It was about time we delved deeper into what our attendees got up to, so meet Theo, one of our participants who told us more about their musical inspirations and where they’re heading next.

Please can you introduce yourself, your pronouns and what you get up to in your free time?

Hey, I’m Theo and my pronouns are they/them. I like exploring abandoned places around Manchester and photographing them on my camera.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I’m curious, inquisitive and adventurous.

If you were stuck on a desert island with a record player, what record would you want to have with you to listen to? 

It would be ‘Jubilee’ by Japanese Breakfast.

Did you have much musical experience before you joined the course? If so, what’s your favourite thing about making music?

It was all very new. I had taken piano lessons as a kid when I was 6 and then did nothing musical. My favourite thing about music now has been being exposed to different genres of music. Also, I’ve liked seeing the different processes individuals have undertaken. It’s been great to see how my course-mates have developed their ideas. Furthermore, I have learnt the basics of chord progressions; I feel so empowered by that.

What prompted you to get involved with the Music Course?

I discovered the course on Instagram and I just thought I’d give it a go. I was a bit afraid of giving music a try but I’m glad I did.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed? 

I didn’t think I could write music. Now, I know I actually can if I’m encouraged and guided through it. Additionally, I thought I couldn’t sing but Alex, the facilitator, gave me all the confidence in delivering two lines of singing within my spoken word piece.

What will you take from the Music course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

Experimenting and arranging new tracks is something I want to keep doing, alongside collaborating with more people. The musical process can be so solitary sometimes so you forget that you can let go of agency when you work with other people.

Who would be your dream artist/producer to collaborate with? 

I love how Aldous Harding writes so it would have to be her.

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Job Opportunity Opportunity Training Opportunity

VARIOUS ROLES & COURSES – EMPLOY GM

Employ GM is here to help you find local jobs, search for courses and support to help you on your employment journey.

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Opportunity Training Opportunity

Prince’s Trust – Courses

The King’s Trust one-week programmes that are taking place in November for NEET young people in Greater Manchester! These programmes will help to gain confidence, skills, make connections and understand more about the industry!

The Prince’s Trust and Elba Hope Foundation ‘Creative Futures’ project has launched with its first programme ‘Get Started in DJing’ in proud partnership running the programme with Reform Radio!

Ages: 16-25

Taster Day: 30th Oct

Programme Date: 4th November

Location: Manchester City Centre

Next, is our Get Ready with Careers in Civil Aviation!

Ages: 16 – 30

Taster Day: 11th Nov

Programme Date: 18th November

Location: Ancoats, Manchester

Please send referral name and contact details to emily.sollis@princes-trust.org.uk

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blog

RAISE THE BAR: GREENFINGUZ

Our Raise The Bar sessions returned on Jorgy & Cheech’s Show. It was a joy to welcome multifaceted creative and artist GreenFinguz into the studio. Not only did he join our hosting duo for a good old chat, but we were also treated some live entertainment on air. The Manchester MC, producer, poet, playwright and actor, came through and shared his truth. His bars were unmatched and his storytelling qualities were a treat to us all.

Catch the full live session on YouTube below.

You can find GreenFinguz on Bandcamp here.

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Podcasts

We Lead For Legacy

We Lead For Legacy is a high level leadership programme for committed leaders from minoritised communities, aiming to tackle the underrepresentation of these groups in civic and public life. 

Commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham, the programme is designed to offer participants first-hand knowledge of public appointees’ roles and responsibilities, offering insight into the systems and procedures of public bodies. It aims to build awareness, confidence and skills to enable participation in civic and community roles, and bring unique voices and lived experiences to the forefront. 

This podcast documents the powerful speakers and mentors on the programme, as well as a range of participant voices and feedback to ensure the pathways provided for leaders to develop are commemorated.

Produced by Aisha Williams.

A Reform Radio production. 

LISTEN TO SERIES HERE

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blog MAES

BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS (FUNDED BY MAES)

We invited another round of participants into Reform Radio for our ever-growing DJ Sessions, funded by MAES. Our attendees were led through the likes of beat-matching, blending and mixing. By the end of the project, they were ready to take to the decks and play at a celebratory showcase, sharing all they’d learnt. We caught up with Erika, one of our newly-trained DJs, to find out more about what they got up to across the two weeks.

Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you enjoy in your free time.

My name’s Erika (she/her), and I’m currently working on improving my DJing skills. I’m usually doing something arts and crafty; lately I’ve been into crocheting and reforming clothes.

DJ Sessions participant, Erika.

What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Course?

I actually took part in the Soundcamp Bootcamp earlier this year and was recommended to take the DJ course as it’s another pathway into the music scene. Most of the music I create is electronic, so it makes sense for me to take on these skills.

What do you love most about DJing?

It’s interesting seeing what elements mix well with each other when I’m blending different tracks together and the vibe that can come from it.

Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?

This was my first time properly being behind decks. I’ve only played around with DJing a few years before but this was my first time seriously doing it. At Reform, I didn’t only learnt the ins and outs of the craft but also how to market and promote myself as a DJ. I also learnt how to put together a deck and what equipment to use which is handy.

How would you describe a DJ set of yours in three words?

I would say it’s a mix of experimental, harsh (in a good way!) and colourful.

Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your DJing practice and why?

KAYTRANADA is the reason I got into producing and I usually watch or listen to his sets because I love the range he uses in them.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed? 

I was so nervous that I was considering not attending the course as this felt like a completely new world to me. But ultimately, I’m so happy I decided to face it head-on. Now, I feel really welcomed and at ease with the people running the course and the people I took it with.

What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

I’m taking on a new perspective on the music scene. I’m ready to go full steam ahead with DJing and plan on doing more gigs and putting myself out there. I plan on booking more gigs in the new year and releasing music soon as well.

If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?

I’d want to try an underground rave at one point. It feels a lot more intimate and vibey as opposed to a festival, I’d love to curate the mood for an event like that.

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved in our future projects, get in touch with our Engagement team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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Opportunity Training Opportunity Volunteering Opportunity

Poetry Club and Art Club – Y2 Cafe

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Opportunity Training Opportunity Volunteering Opportunity

Music Drop – Contact Theatre

Music Drop is Contact’s open access music service designed to empower the next generation of musicians.

Contact’s state of the art Media Lounge is equipped with iMacs with Logic Pro and Ableton Live, synthesizers, guitars, basses, pianos, electronic drums, drum machines and a vocal booth.

These facilities along with their friendly, knowledgeable music facilitators can help you achieve your creative ambitions – be that learning song-writing, production and recording skills or learning a new instrument.

Music Drop sessions are supported by industry professionals and experienced music facilitators. These facilitators will be rotating every few months, giving participants the opportunity to work with a range of artists and a variety of different music styles.

Book in and get involved!