BCMG's Inclusion Pack Additional Resources >
At BCMG we strive to be as inclusive and accessible as we can. In this welcome pack, you will find some useful information about what to expect on one of our workshop day, who you will meet and how to access the building and workshop spaces.
- Welcome to BCMG
- Before the Workshop
- CBSO Centre
- Who's who?
- BCMG Musicians
- Music Maze
- Creative Composing Lab
- BCMG Young Composers
- Other Organisations
Welcome to our inclusion pack!
At BCMG we pride ourselves on the quality of our workshops. Everyone is welcome to participate, and we strive to be as inclusive and accessible as we can.
In this welcome pack, you will find some useful information about what to expect on a workshop day, who you will meet and how to access the building and workshop spaces.
If you find that we are missing some important information, please get in touch and let us know via email at learning@bcmg.org.uk.
If we feel unable to meet your needs or not best placed to do so we will signpost you to other fantastic music-making opportunities offered by similar organisations.
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Before the Workshop
You will need to book a place to attend your chosen workshop. This can be done via our website: Click here to visit our website
This is an important step prior to attending the event. This gives you the opportunity to share information that will help us to support the young person at the workshop.
You may feel happy to put notes into the booking form explaining any additional needs you or the attendee might have, or if you’d like to provide us with further information on how we can offer the most suitable support, please email us at learning@bcmg.org.uk with details.
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You may already have some sort of personal information pack readily available, but if you don’t, here are some of the things you might like to share with us:
- Individual’s specific needs
- Any medication that may be required
- How to assist: existing support strategies
- Equipment: supporting devices, software
- Enhanced communication: Makaton, PECs
All information you share with us is securely and confidentially stored. We use the information you give us to:
- Confidentially inform our workshop leaders and musicians
- Help us effectively tailor our workshop plan
- Prepare useful resources
- Make a decision as to whether to offer some one-to-one support
At CBSO Centre
Unless specified on our website, most of our workshops take place at CBSO Centre on Berkley Street, B1 2LF. Below we have created a storyboard showing you how to access the CBSO Centre.
This is the entrance to CBSO Centre. Walk through the access doors to enter. If not already open, push the silver button on the right. NB these doors open outwards.
Here is the front desk. To the left of the front desk is the entrance to the hall. You sign in at the desk. At the far end you can see the common room.
If you look to the right of the desk, you will see the lift. Just around the corner from here there is an access-friendly toilet. You can also see a second entrance to the main hall. There are no hoist changing facilities.
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This is the common room. This is the space where we will relax at break time and eat our lunches.
If you go through the common room and walk down the corridor on your right, you will see some toilets on your left.
The workshop will take place here in the hall. Inside you will see chairs on raised platforms and lots of instruments that you can use in the workshop.
Quiet Spaces
Across the building, we have a number of quiet spaces where your child can go if they feel overwhelmed or in need of space. A member of staff will support them if they wish.
Who is who?
We have created a list of people that you may see when you come to our workshops. Have a look at the pictures below and make sure you say hello when you join us at the event!
This is Victoria. She is BCMG’s Learning Coordinator. On workshop days she will greet you at the front desk, help you to register and answer any questions you may have. She also supervises at break times and lunch. If you need help when you are not in the workshop, she is the person to come and speak to!
Meet Nancy. She is BCMG’s Director of Learning & Participation. Nancy is the workshop leader for Music Maze. She oversees all the activities in the hall and helps you create your own music with the other young people. If you have any questions or need to leave the hall for any reason you must speak to her. She will tell you what to do next.
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This is Harriet. She is our Learning Trainee. Harriet sets up the workshop and makes sure the instruments are ready to play. When the workshop begins Harriet is actively involved and supports the participants. You may end up working in a small group with her! If you have any questions, ask Harriet and she will be able to help you.
This is David. He is a professional composer. David is the workshop leader for Creative Composing Lab. He will help you compose your own music for the BCMG musicians. If you have any questions, concerns or need to leave the room for any reason, you must speak to David. He will tell you what to do next.
Meet Kirsty. She is a professional composer. Kirsty is the workshop leader for BCMG Young Composers. She will help you to compose your own music for the BCMG musicians. Speak to Kirsty if you need to leave the room for any reason or have any questions or worries. She will tell you what to do next.
BCMG Musicians
Here is a list of some of our wonderful BCMG musicians. At each event, there will be between one and three musicians depending on the workshop. Make sure to say hello to them!
Tony plays the flute.
Elaine plays the cello.
Naomi plays the saxophone.
Melinda plays the oboe.
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Simon plays percussion.
Collette plays the violin.
Charlotte plays the violin.
Bridget plays the viola.
Ryan plays the trumpet.
Music Maze (School Years 3 - 6)
Music Maze is led by Nancy Evans with the BCMG musicians. In Music Maze some children bring along the musical instrument they are learning, and others use BCMG’s wonderful selection of percussion instruments. There are usually 15-20 children in the workshop.
There will be a PECS timetable available on the day of the workshop. If you would like a printable version for you child to help them before the session CLICK HERE
You will need to bring:
If you do not play an instrument, we have a selection of percussion instruments that you can use.
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Music Maze timetable:
| 9.45am - 10.00am | Arrival, register and gather in common room |
| 10.00am - 10.30am | Introductions and warm up games in the hall |
| 10.30am - 11.15am | Creating music together |
| 11.15am - 11.30am | BREAK in common room |
| 11.30am - 12.15pm | Creating music together |
| 12.15pm - 1.00pm | LUNCH |
| 1.00pm - 1.45pm | Creating music together |
| 1.45pm - 2.00pm | Final rehearsal of music created |
| 2.00pm - 2.30pm | Concert of all music created for family & friends |
Creative Composing Lab (School Years 10 - 13)
Creative Composing Lab is led by composer David Horne with BCMG musicians. In Creative Composing Lab the emphasis is on the young people composing for BCMG musicians. There are usually around 10-15 young people in the workshop. Each workshop day follows a similar but flexible structure.
There will be a PECS timetable available on the day of the workshop. If you would like a printable version for you young person to help them before the session CLICK HERE
What you will need to bring:
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Creative Composing Lab timetable:
| 9.45am - 10.00am | Arrival, register and gather in common room |
| 10.00am - 10.30am | Introductions |
| 10.30am - 11.15am | Composing session 1 |
| 11.15am - 11.30am | BREAK in common room |
| 11.30am - 12.30pm | Composing session 2 |
| 12.30pm - 1.30pm | LUNCH |
| 1.30pm - 3.00pm | Composing session 3 |
| 3.00pm - 3.15pm | BREAK in common room |
| 3.15pm - 4.00pm | Composing session 4 |
| 4.00pm - 5.00pm | Final concert of music created |
| 5.00pm - 5.30pm | Concert of all music created for family & friends |
BCMG Young Composers (School Years 7 - 9)
BCMG Young Composers is led by composer Kirsty Devaney with BCMG musicians. In the workshops, young people can compose for professional musicians. There are 4 workshops across each term. There are usually around 10-15 young people in the workshop. Each workshop day follows a similar but flexible structure.
There will be a PECS timetable available on the day of the workshop. If you would like a printable version for you young person to help them before the session CLICK HERE
What you will need to bring:
Workshops 1, 2 and 3:
Workshop 4:
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Workshops 1, 2 and 3:
| 9.45am - 10.00am | Arrival, register and gather in the common room |
| 10.00am - 11.00am | Composing |
| 11.00am - 11.30am | BREAK |
| 11.30am - 1.00pm | Composing |
Workshop 4:
| 9.45am - 10.00am | Arrival, register and gather in the common room |
| 10.00am - 12.00pm | Composing |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | LUNCH |
| 1.00pm - 3.30pm | Composing |
| 3.30pm - 4.00pm | Concert of all music created |
There will be a PECS timetable available on the day of the workshop. If you would like a printable version for you young person to help them before the session CLICK HERE
Other Music Organisations
On the occasion we don’t feel we can support your needs, here are other fantastic organisations in and around Birmingham who offer inclusive music workshops.
Mac Makes Music offers inclusive music workshops for young people at the Midlands Arts Centre, including Creative Sounds, MAC’s Inclusive Band and Variety Jam.
https://macbirmingham.co.uk/mac-makes-music/about-1
Quench Arts offers music workshops for 6–25-year-olds for mental health inpatients, those with disabilities and those from ethnic minorities and/or newly arrived communities.
https://www.quench-arts.co.uk/
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Big Top Musical Adventures offers multi-sensory music workshops for young people with additional needs. They offer family and school workshops and the 'Big Top Band'.
https://www.bigtopmusic.co.uk/
Melody Music Birmingham is a weekly music-making workshop run at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for both children and adults with a learning disability.
https://www.facebook.com/melodymusicmaking/
Soundabout uses music to unlock the potential of people with severe and profound learning disabilities. They offer Inclusive Choirs, online workshops and home sessions.
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