Connecting Across Difference was inspired by visits to the Museum of Childhood and imaginative and playful explorations of the challenges and excitement of encountering and coming to know people who are different; who speak differently, have different ambitions, interests, skills and abilities, or who have different traditions and histories. These ideas were played out in the narrative of the piece, a journey unfolds where creatures from different worlds go on a musical adventure to discover new ways to talk and play together using old and new instruments..

During the workshops students used cutting edge assistive technology and custom made experimental instruments, as well as traditional instruments and song. The project provided an excellent opportunity for young people of differing abilities and musical experience to be involved in the development and performance of the final piece, in unique and exciting ways.

The project blog www.connectingacrossdifference.net made it possible for participants from different school groups to share their work in the form of images, video and sounds. This enabled them to respond to and work with each others' musical ideas throughout the project towards a final performance.
Connecting Across Difference also featured a mentoring programme for the project’s three associate musicians, providing opportunities to develop their skills and experience in a participation and outreach settings. Throughout the creative process, the associates worked closely with their mentors and collaborated extensively with the team, creating an environment for artistic exchange and exploration, mutual learning and development.

The Team:
Director: Carien Meijer (Drake Music CEO)
Artistic Director: Ruth Catlow (Co-director Furtherfield.org)
Lead Composers: Kerry Andrew, Ed Farmer
Music Technologist: Nick Wilsdon
Media Artist: Nick Laessing
Associate Musicians: Melanie Clifford, Victoria Oruwari and Anya Ustaszewski
Mentors: Daryl Beeton, Lynn Cox
Project Manager: Miranda Peake, with Anna Thorpe-Tracey
Featuring students from Arnhem Wharf, Beatrice Tate and George Green’s schools, and participants from The Roundhouse Project.
Produced and directed by Drake Music in partnership with Furtherfield.
Partners: THAMES, V&A Museum of Childhood, The Roundhouse

Funded by: THAMES, City Bridge Trust, State Street Bank, Richard Reeves Foundation, Helen Hamlyn Trust, Youth Music, John Lyons Charity, Richard Cloudesley Trust, PRS Foundation, Promenaders.

www.connectingacrossdifference.net