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Song writing workshops to help develop local musical talent
The Hertfordshire Music Service is running a unique eight-month Urban Music project to help young locals to develop their musical talents.
Funded by the Youth Music Vocalise strand, the project will be based around the Street Talk Rap workshops started by rapper Robert Taylor, who had chart hits with US3, and was signed to Blue Note in the 1990s.
The workshops have been successful in challenging and breaking down the perceived images of rap and encouraging young people to use the medium to raise awareness of social issues such as street crime, bullying. health concerns, substance abuse and citizenship.
Keith Emsall, executive member for education and culture, said: "This is a really interesting project which uses rap music as a force for good. Although it has often had a bad press for its subject matter, particularly its portrayal of violence and the treatment of women, many young people throughout the county love this form of musical expression and Urban Music will develop their talent and encourage them to use it for positive effect,” continued Cllr Emsall.
It will offer either rock or acoustic song-writing workshops as well as the chance to train new workshop leaders.
From now until December around 100 workshops will be held after school, during the holidays and at weekends in youth centres and schools across the county. It is hoped the project will have a grand finale with a central gig. All the raps and songs can be heard on www.numu.org.uk/StreetTalk.
Anyone interested in taking part in the project, can contact The Mix@Bowes, Hertfordshire Music Service, Bowes Lyon Centre, St. George's Way, Stevenage, or call on 01438 202806 or on-line at Street-talk@hertsmusicservice.org.uk.
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