Bedlington youngsters broaden their musical horizons

Jan 22 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

POP-OBSESSED youngsters were encouraged to broaden their musical horizons yesterday as part of a schools project aimed at showcasing the joys of traditional folk, country and bluegrass music.

Youngsters at Whitley Memorial First School in Bedlington, Northumberland, were introduced to unusual instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, ukelele, double bass, harmonica, bodhran and dobro – as well as chorus and harmony singing – during the music lesson with a difference.

It was conducted by music tutors Jim Newman and Jimmy Powells, who are on a mission to share their passion for traditional music and acoustic instruments with the younger generation.

The two friends, who have played in folk and acoustic bands together over many years, have recently visited a number of local schools to raise awareness of their favourite music with the X Factor generation.

Jimmy, who lives in Cramlington and has released three albums of his mandolin playing, and Jim, from New Hartley near Seaton Delaval, launched the Music in Schools initiative a few months ago.

Yesterday Jim, 57, said: “For a lot of youngsters, all they see on TV these days is the electric guitar and pop music, and that is about it.

“Jimmy and I have played for many years in the folk clubs and felt this would be a good idea, and an opportunity to let children see at least a dozen types of acoustic instruments and hear folk-style songs.

“It is aimed at raising youngsters’ awareness of these instruments, letting them have a strum on them and perhaps encouraging them to start playing one of them.

“These are kids who are usually only interested in pop music, and I am sometimes shocked to find that some schools don’t seem to have any music whatsoever.”

Jimmy, 60, added: “We bring about 10 instruments with us and spend a couple of minutes on each, giving a brief explanation of how they all fit into different styles of music.

“We also play a song or tune on each instrument. The children are allowed to touch the instruments, which they love.”

Year Two teacher Jan Johnston, who invited the duo to visit the school, said: “They explained to the children about a range of different acoustic instruments and it helps to support our science curriculum in a very creative way.

“They played and sang songs for the children, who really enjoyed the whole event. I am sure we will ask them to come back again.’’