Live Music Now Midlands covers the West Midlands, East Midlands (except Lincolnshire), the county of Oxfordshire and all unitary authorities. The branch works in partnership with local organisations and communities to deliver a broad range of work for children with special needs, older people, adults with learning difficulties, children/young people at risk and for sick people in hospitals and hospices. Examples of fruitful collaborations include working with NHS Trusts to deliver music activities in hospitals and with South Staffordshire council on an annual programme of music for older people in isolated rural areas.
In addition to interactive performances at individual venues, LMN Midlands also works on projects, including intergenerational music workshops for older people in housing associations and residential care homes linking with local primary and secondary schools.
A key priority for the branch has been its work with looked after children. Following a succesful project in Summer 2009, LMN Midlands will again be teaming up with LACES (Looked After Children Education Service) in Birmingham to host a series of workshops for 11-17 year olds under Local Authority care across Birmingham, culminating in a performance with professional musicians Unit SIX (percussion and piano) and a professional dancer. The participants will be from various settings - for example: foster homes, residential schools and children's homes - but they all share an interest in music and are working to gain an Arts Award qualification through participation in the project. The project will enable the young people to make, listen and perform live music and dance as well as learn new skills such as team-working and self discipline. The project is made possible through funding by Birmingham City Council and The Grantham Yorke Trust, for which we are most grateful.
LMN Midlands is keen to develop opportunities for locally based musicians from all musical genres and welcomes partnerships with other organisations in this field.
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