A unique event this Friday will see disabled and non-disabled students from Manchester and Salford schools come together to perform original music that they have created, as part of Manchester Literature Festival.
The creative:connection project, organised by national creative arts charity Create, gives children the opportunity to develop their creativity while building connections and breaking down barriers. They will be working with professional musicians to write original music and songs, which they will perform at a celebratory event at the festival.
Students from four schools will work collaboratively with Create’s musicians and other schools to create pieces inspired by the festival’s theme ‘Speak Up!’, celebrating the power we all have when we find our voice and speak up about the things that matter.
Each group will create their own music as well as working towards a group song, incorporating all four schools. The musicians will use the participants’ ideas to formulate a chorus that will be learned by all students, accompanied by sign-along actions.
Create’s Founding CEO Nicky Goulder said: “This project is a celebration of the amazing ability of the creative arts to build connections and challenge preconceptions.
“People need to create. Creativity impacts our wellbeing, emotional and mental health. It builds skills, brings joy and reduces isolation. It enables us to learn about ourselves and others in new ways.
“Arts activities have been shown to improve disabled children’s social skills, sensory perception, emotional regulation and more. But disabled people’s access to such activities is often limited due to lack of opportunity, inaccessible provision, or cost.
“That’s why we are committed to providing free, high-quality creative arts experiences for those who need them most. creative:connection brings disabled and non-disabled children together to build skills, relationships and understanding through the experience of collaborative creativity.”
Students from Chatsworth High School, Grange School, Loreto High School and New Park Academy will perform their pieces at Manchester Central Library at 1pm on Friday 20 October.
The afternoon promises to be a collective celebration of the transformative power of the arts, with some remarkable talent on display.
