VOCALIZED
Vocalized is a 12 week music programme for 11-19 year olds. By working in partnership with the National Youth Arts Trust we provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents and support them to build confidence, wellbeing and self-esteem through musical development, creativity and expression.
Participants are tutored by industry professionals in three key disciplines; musical theatre, band development and vocal coaching.
The importance of this work:
Music is a cornerstone of the broad and balanced education that every child and young person should receive. It touches hearts and minds, it celebrates and challenges, and it connects us and moves us.
In the same way that we teach children literacy and numeracy to prepare them for adult life, we must also give them the musical tools they need for a lifetime of music-making and enjoyment.
For some, music will be the foundation of a career in one of the country’s most important and globally-recognised industries. For others, it will provide experiences and skills which develop their creativity. For many, music will simply be a source of joy, comfort and companionship throughout their lives.
Read The power of music to change lives: A National Plan for Music Education
Key objectives:
This programme aims to encourage participants to:
learn and develop new musical skills
improve emotional wellbeing
increase confidence both in their chosen field and generally
learn a music piece and perform to family and friends at the end of the programme
overcome stage fright and anxiety
develop natural vocal abilities and sense of rhythm
learn about stage presence and storytelling in performing
Vocalized xtra
Vocalized Xtra is a short programme which will run during February half term 2024. This free week-long programme is an opportunity for young people 11-19 years old to develop their musical ideas and develop their song writing and recording skills.
To find out more:
Contact Lorna on 07360 639964 or email vocalized@youthactionalliance.org
“Vocalised Xtra was a great experience as it gave me the opportunity to record in a studio, which is something I have always wanted to do. It gave me an amazing insight into what the recording process is like. I also met and worked with new people who are now friends of mine and the staff were great!”
Vocalized 2023
Vocalized ran over three evenings at three locations for two hours a week in Kensington & Chelsea at Kensington Aldridge Academy, Holland Park School and Morley College.
Vocalized makes a difference by giving the training and support, building skills, confidence, well-being, and self-esteem, through musical development, creativity, expression and career pathways that young people need to get a start in the music industry whilst also providing a platform to showcase their talents to family, friends and community.
Impact
41 young people
participated in 2023
85%
enjoyed the programme
89%
learnt new skills
78%
increased confidence
93%
made new friends or improved relationships with others
260
audience members
“Vocalized has given me the opportunity to do what I love most and make friends. It has also been great to have the chance to perform my own music and get advice on how I can progress in my music career.”
“Just want to say a big thank you to you and all involved for such a brilliant day, all the kids were amazing! Thoroughly enjoyed the array of talent. Such a bright future I look forward to for them.”
RP, 13 year old boy - Vocalized participant
RP was recommended to join Vocalized by his teacher due to his struggles in school regarding his behaviour and lack of focus. RP let his Vocalized tutor know that he had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and found it really hard to focus on most things. He had also never played or learnt an instrument before but after the first few sessions, he took an interest in the bass guitar.
-
He was absent from a few sessions at the start of the programme due to detentions and absences from school. When he started to get more invested with the band he was forming and the instrument he was learning, we noticed a shift in his mood and he started to express how much he was enjoying the workshops.
Following this, he attended almost every session and would often tell his tutor that although he struggled to focus with most things in school and lessons, he really enjoyed being part of Vocalized and learning to play the guitar. He continued to stay committed to the project and even attended a workshop by himself when his bandmates were absent.
“I really enjoy the time to practice and it’s good to work on something that I’m actually improving in.”
He was really growing with the project personally and enjoyed it so much that he asked for a bass guitar for Christmas, which he received. We saw real growth from RP throughout his Vocalized journey - from not attending sessions, dealing with his diagnosis and struggling to focus, to learning an instrument, committing to extra practice sessions and performing confidently with his peers.
"I really like being in my own band. It's so fun to be able to make our own music and it's been a really good way for me to focus when learning how to play a new instrument and song."
Vocalized 2021/22
Vocalized 2021/22 video
Impact
37 young people
participated in 2021/22
72%
have learnt new skills
70%
report their confidence had grown
45%
report improvement of their health and well-being
85%
made new and improved friendships
60%
think about their future career choices
53%
have improved their relationships with family and friends
Below we have also captured feedback from participants:
“Vocalized was great. It let me show a part of me which I don’t really show people. It was my first time doing a showcase like that and my first time playing in front of so many people. It was fun and I’d love to do something like that again.”
Liam, 15
“Vocalized is really helpful for self-confidence and a social group. You feel like you can do what you want.”
Malachi, 15
CONTACT
Nichola McGuire
Events & Activities Lead
nichola@youthactionalliance.org
07915 722414
Lorna Capewell
Programme Assistant
vocalized@youthactionalliance.org