Hello 2025, and Welcome Back!
It’s been a crisp, fresh day here at CODA, and as the gears of 2025 begin to turn, we’re so excited about the year ahead. There’s so much to look forward to, and we can’t wait to share all the amazing things we’ve got planned for our wonderful, ever-growing community.
If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, why not make 2025 the year you try something new? The cold, dark winter months are perfect for getting creative, and exploring something different. Whether thats trying one of our art workshops or finally learning that instrument you've been talking about, we have lots to discover at Coda.Keep an eye out for some fantastic workshops we’ve got lined up. It’s going to be an absolute treat!
As ever, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support, it enables us to continue to do amazing things within our community.
MUSIC: SPRING TERM BEGINS!
As we enter the spring term for our music attendees, we are looking forward to your return and classes are running as normal. For anyone wishing to participate in Trinity Exams in the Spring Term, a reminder that the closing date for entries is the 23rd January 2025. The exams will take place on the 23rd March.
We welcome a new tutor to the Coda team this term. Nick Lindsay will be teaching electric and acoustic guitar for a variety of genres and joins us wth a wealth of experience from formal education, playing in bands and instrumental teaching (my fault, Bev is not new, she's maternity cover and started in september)
Meherunisha and everyone at Coda would like to congratulate her students who undertook their piano grades last year in the Summer, Phoebe Roberts and Sunny Lee who both acheived Distinctions, and Albert Zaharia, Sunny Lee, Emily Crockford and Ivory Jiang who received High merits. In December Carol Shaw received a distinction and Leo Parker receiving a high merit. Greg’s student Francis Burgin passed his Trinity College grade 8 with a distinction - wow! and Finley John passed his Trinity College grade at 1. Jacqui passed on that Julian James passed his Trinity College Grade 3 with a merit. Viv’s student, Gracie Phraphakdy passed her grade 1 with a distinction. Congratulations to you all on your acheivments.
PARTY NIGHT IS BACK!
This Friday we have another wonderful Party Night for adults with learning disabilities, their friends and carers which builds on our Daytime Disco project using music to encourage physical activity and improve well being. Make sure to get your ticket so you can join for another night of fun, music and dancing. There will be music from Mix It Up Kru, as well as Stuart Jebbitt & the SGC Band - as well (as niblles and (no nibbles) an accessible bar! Tickets are just £2, you can find your tickets here. We can wait to see you there.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Sadly our Christmas gig at bournemouth hospital with the Coda Ukulele Band was cancelled due to rising infections, but our work with people suffering from dementia continues to expand. We are now proud to provide both a monthly music session and an art session in partnership with the mental health team at the Hospital on their Dementia and Delirium Ward. Our work with people with dementia is supported by NFU Insurance in the New Forest and by Mudeford Arts Festival and includes a range of interventions in care settings and in the community, making a positive difference to hundreds of local people facing the challenge of dementia.
The Grain Store Barn
Last year we began the development of a new flexible workshop space in the old grain store barn on site, with the financial support of New Forest District Council, Talbot Village Trust and a VERY generous individual donation.
The development project is due for completion in February and will be the large workshop and rehearsal space we have been missing at Coda, and the last project in our transformation of the old farm buildings on site. Many of our social music groups and bands will move to this space and it will enable us to host a new programme of workshops of all kinds in the years ahead.
Thank you for your patience while we have been undergoing construction work on site and look out for news of new workshops and projects in The Grain Store in the coming months.
Be Happy
As part of our education work with the Music Hub for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we are delivering a creative music project with five special schools this Spring Term.
The "Be Happy" project will enable children with special educational needs and disabilities to explore themes of well being using the Bill Withers classic "Dont Worry, Be Happy" song as a starting point. The project is led by musician and composer Sam Mason with a trio of fantastic musicians and we will be working in Linwood, Winchelsea, Montecute and Portfield schools and Victoria Education Centre.
WORKSHOPS: WHAT’S ON
Embracing the Seasons
Gentle creative movement with Rakhee Jasani
Tuesdays 10 – 11.15am
£54 for a 6 week block: 7th January - 11th February
Discover the transformative power of Qigong (gentle movement related to Tai Chi) in our journey through the seasons. Perfect for beginners, each session offers gentle movements, reflective writing, and guided meditations to harmonise mind, body, and spirit.
Join us to unlock your inner resilience, cultivate joy, and embrace the natural rhythms of life. No prior experience required – just an open heart, playful curiosity, and a willingness to explore.
To book click here
Village Hall Draw with Tracy Dovey
for adults of all ages and ability
Tuesdays 7 – 9pm
£90 for a 6 week block: 7th January - 11th February
We will be gathering in the barn for relaxed and intuitive creative drawing sessions for adults of all ages and abilities – most of whom haven’t drawn since childhood! Each week there will be the opportunity to explore a variety of materials, ideas and artists in a playful way.
All materials will be provided.
To book click here
Slow Sewing
with Nancy Beardall of Sew Mrs Bee
Wednesdays
9.30am-12pm
6 week course: 5th February - 12th March
£90 for 6 sessions
A hand sewing centred activity with textile decoration and crafts as a focus. Learn how to slow sew and be mindful within this practice.
Each 6 weeks we will aim to create an individual piece of artwork based on a chosen theme.
This class is designed to be relaxed and peaceful.
This course runs from 8th January to 12th February.
To book click here
Sewing Bee
with Nancy Beardall of Sew Mrs Bee
Wednesdays
1 - 3.30pm
6 week course: 5th February - 12th March
£90 for 6 sessions
For anyone who is proficient in sewing
Bring your Sewing Machine and your own project for help and guidance on, or we can provide a pattern to use.
This is a class about being with like- minded friendly sewists, who want to sew and be sewcial!
This course runs from 8th January to 12th February.
To book click here
Learn Linocut from Scratch with Kate Smith
Saturdays 10.30am - 12.30pm
Starting Saturday 25th January
For adults 16+ years
£120 for 6 weeks: 11th January - 1st March
Learn how to design, carve and print with lino from scratch. Take your time on this 6 week course to fully explore different elements of printing with lino.
Get to grips with how to design an image that can be carved and how to use the different tools, inks and paper. Try adding colour with chine colle and finally by creating a final multi-coloured jigsaw print.
To book click here
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
AFTER-SCHOOL MIXED-MEDIA SCULPTURE CLUB with Emily Stracey – Creative Workshops
Thursdays 4.30 - 6.00pm
For 8-14 years
£60 for 6 weeks: 9th January - 13th February
This sculpture course will be an opportunity to explore making some fun artwork; drawing and creating from clay and a variety of materials.
Emily has been making and selling ceramic, textile and illustration work for over 25 years. She hand builds in clay and illustrates humorous, colourful animal themed work. She has also run art workshops over this time in a wide selection of materials.
To book click here