A group of young musicians from Birmingham is about to give the performance of their lives and bring their unique sound of music to a very special night at the Royal Albert Hall

It’s going to be one of those unforgettable moments in the lives of a group of young Birmingham musicians. The Royal Albert Hall, a packed audience and a buzz of excitement like no other. Taking the stage at the Music for Youth Proms will be the Raga and Tala Group from Birmingham Services for Education’s World Music department.
The group has been selected from thousands of applicants across the UK to perform at what is the acknowledged showcase for the country’s best young musicians. They will bring their unique energy, enthusiasm and distinctive performance to the Proms which are being held over two nights on 27 and 28 November, and featuring amazing young musicians playing diverse music from classical to folk and jazz to rock and pop.

PIONEERING

Raga and tala are two fundamental elements of Hindustani and classical Indian music. The group is part of the World Music Department which has pioneered the playing and teaching of music instruments from around the globe in Birmingham schools.

Not so long ago, it was rare for such instruments to feature in Birmingham’s music education but in recent years, participation has soared. Each week, 3,500 Birmingham children attend small group and one-to-one lessons in world music and nearly one-in-five are from non-BAME background. They play the likes of djembe drums from west Africa, samba drums from Africa and south America, sitars, tabla twin-hand drums and dhol double-headed drums from the Indian sub-continent, harmoniums from West Bengal and steel pans from Trinidad and Tobago.

CHARITY

The World Music Department was established in 1997 within Birmingham Music Service, now part of Services for Education (SFE) following the charity’s founding 10 years ago. SFE employs 24 world music tutors working with 132 Birmingham schools teaching groups and classes – using up to 35 world music instruments at a time so every child in a class can participate.

Harjit Singh, SFE’s head of world music and percussion and director of Birmingham Schools’ Azaad Dhol group said: “From the outset, our aim was to deliver world music to all children regardless of their ethnicity or background. We wanted every child to gain a better knowledge of different cultures and the influence of music worldwide.”

He added: “The original focus was on Indian folk music from the Punjab. We first approached schools in areas such as Handsworth where the population’s ethnic mix was more appropriate, but it was not long before we became more universal and mainstream.

CULTURES

“Through music, children in Birmingham have a better understanding of different cultures, traditions and heritages and appreciate how music influences us all, no matter the colour of our skin or where we live.”

The upcoming performance at the Royal Albert Hall is the latest, high-profile appearance by Birmingham schoolchildren who have played at music at festivals with Islamic community groups and in mosques. They have performed Indian and African works the Band of the Royal Marines, as well as with Bollywood Brass Band with whom SFE has established education partnerships.
Harjit: “We will continue to reach as many children as possible in Birmingham and increase our partnerships with local communities. The job is not yet complete. We are still trying to educate that music and drumming are important.”

KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENTS

Dhol – Any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent. The Services For Education team has also created a mini Dhol to accommodate large group teaching and for the younger age groups

Djembe – A rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands. Originally from West Africa.

Steel Pan – Originating from Trinidad and Tobago, the modern pan is an instrument made from 200-litre industrial drums.

Sitar – The plucked stringed instrument originated from the Indian subcontinent and is widely used in Hindustani classical music.

Tabla – A pair of hand drums from the Indian subcontinent and is the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music.