punkit.lovemusic.org.uk
Punkit is an explosive, fun, 20-minute participative music work for massed percussion written by award winning composer Stephen Deazley, featuring internationally renowned percussion soloist Joby Burgess.
Punkit is an adventurous participatory project, offering bold, inspiring music making for up to 60 young people at a critical stage of their musical journey and at a vulnerable creative age. Participants are ideally aged 11-14, in transition between primary and secondary school and about to make important choices about their creative futures. It aims to broaden musical horizons, inspire musical curiosity, and provide a model of adventurous music making that young people can aspire to. The piece is entirely accessible; it does not rely on core instrumental skills or previous experience, but teaches rhythm and provides high quality moments of musical inspiration.
Punkit can be delivered as a learning and participation project in partnership with festivals, concert halls, local education services and music services and professional promoters. The work can be performed on large stages both indoor and outdoor, and there are two performing versions to suit venue sizes, settings and budgets.
Punkit is supported by the bespoke audio and video teaching resources you can find on its website, punkit.lovemusic.org.uk, as well as through CPD sessions for participating teachers and by workshops delivered by the Love Music creative team and band. Final performances can also involve massed audience participation.
To talk to us about presenting Punkit in your area, venue, schools or festival, please contact us.
Punkit was developed in partnership with and commissioned by Bedford Creative Arts. Bedford Creative Arts is supported by Arts Council England.
This film was made during Punkit’s premiere in July 2015. With thanks to Birmingham project partners Town Hall Symphony Hall Birmingham and the fabulous musicians from Holy Trinity Catholic School. The film was made by Laito Ltd, www.laito.co.uk.
This film was made during Punkit in the west of Ireland in Spring 2016. With thanks to project partners Music Generation Sligo, Music Generation Mayo, and Music Network, and the superb children from Scoil Raifteirí, St Patrick’s, Our Lady of Mercy & St John’s Primary Schools.
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I’ve learnt how to play the drum better, and I’ve built my confidence. I’ve made new friends, I’ve had fun so far, and I can’t wait for the rest of Punkit, and plus I can’t wait until tomorrow to play. ~ Punkit
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“I love Punkit!” “We got to express our inner talents!” “I learned how to make music with different instruments” “Punkit is the best!” “Punkit is brilliant and good fun” “It was a great experience” ~ Punkit
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It’s really important that young people meet inspiring professionals and creative teams, so they can see there is actually a path… a profession in the music industry that they can aspire to. It’s a bit more of a stand-out project in my mind – it’s up-ed the game. It’s so creative, and Stephen has done a wonderful job putting together such an inspired composition. ~ Punkit
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… a couple of weeks after the Punkit performance… they have increased confidence in the classroom and their assessed work is of a high quality. Students who hadn’t previously had instrumental lessons have taken them up since September… the biggest uptake has come from the group of students who had emotional, social and behavioural problems. I now have a group of SEN boys who regularly attend piano, guitar and drumming clubs, and two of them have taken up playing the dhol and are preparing for their first performance. ~ Punkit
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Punkit is very accessible to schools, particularly to any teachers who might have students who lack confidence working with others or any social skill problems, because it gets them working together as a big group, and making music together. For people who are not so confident in leading big groups, I think this could be a fantastic project for them. ~ Punkit
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Fun, amazing, inspirational – it’s inspired me to do more music. ~ Punkit
Photo credits for photo strip above: 1: Alison Laredo, 2 & 3: Ingrid Mur, 4 & 5: Laito, 6: Cat Lane