~ July 2015

Bands usually have 1 drummer and maybe 1 percussionist in tow.

We have 60!

PUNKIT is an idea crafted with the wonderful percussion soloist Joby Burgess. Joby has been one of those constants in the performance of my music over the last 10 years, one of the musicians whose qualities and exceptional musicianship have helped to shape the way I work.

The idea began with a simple notion of writing a new inclusive massed percussion work for young people aged 11-14, some of whom might never have performed music in public.

From the beginning I knew that the heart of the score would be fuelled by that moment in live music when the beat kicks in and lifts your spirit. I also felt a compelling drift towards some of the slightly anarchic music of my youth, and the surrealism of iconic 80’s pop spectacle Talking Heads. There is a little bit of anarchy in the performance, but more about this later.

One of the driving forces behind the project is to work with young people at that time of their life when they deciding whether making and performing music is for them, and hopefully to promote a sense of musical adventure and foster curiosity.

So, the score is now finished and we have launched the first two projects with Bedford Creative Arts and Town Hall Symphony Hall in Birmingham. 90 young people are getting to grips with the junk box musical aesthetic we have created for PUNKIT.

There’s only 1 day to go before the premiere at Music For Youth’s National festival in Birmingham. You can catch us at Music For Youth’s Fringe Festival Tent, Centenary Square, Birmingham at 2pm on Thursday 9th July.

We’re looking forward to a summer of big bold noises.

Check out the website: www.punkit.lovemusic.org.uk

Stephen Deazley
Artistic Director