Welcome to the Autumn Term
We hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Summer break.
The Coda (music) term starts back on Monday 2nd September with our new creative arts programme launching the following week (w/c 9th September). On 14th & 15th September you are all invited to join us at our Welcome Weekend event, where you will be able to explore your creativity with a range of FREE taster workshops - full details below!
There is also an update on all the exciting developments at Coda to keep you in the loop.
CHANGES TO BE AWARE OF THIS AUTUMN
Following almost one million pound of investment in our old farm site over the past two years, our new facilities in the old stable block are finally opening this autumn, and over the coming weeks we will be tentatively moving into these beautiful new spaces, welcoming new residents and beginning a host of new activities.
Thank you to our contractors, consultants and particularly our funders, including Arts Council England, Talbot Village Trust, NFDC, Sylvia Waddilove Foundation and all the individual donors and supporters that are helping to transform our old farm into accessible creative facilities for our local community.
With all the changes, we have tried to make navigating the site a little clearer for visitors with some new signage around the farm, so please take note of whether your classes are in the Dairy, the Piggery or the Stables. Further signage will come online in the coming months as we discover where the gaps are, so do let us know if you get lost!
Unfortunately, for now, we will no longer offer the cafe facilities of recent years and have returned to some self service teas and coffees (still located in the old cafe area) while we explore new ideas for a cafe at Coda. Please help yourself to hot drinks while you are waiting for students and use the various lobby spaces around the site while you wait.
For the next few months we remain a building site while our next phase of works is underway. With the support of New Forest District Council, Talbot Village Trust and the generosity of an individual donor we are creating a dedicated new workshop space from the old grain store barn near Chewton Farm Road. The project should be complete by Christmas - but, in the meantime ,we apologise for any inconvenience the works may cause to your visit!
We are really excited about the transformation of our home and to welcome you to Coda this year, but really appreciate your patience while we all find our feet and the spaces evolve!
MEMORY BAND PERFORM AT DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY ALLOTMENTS
Our brilliant Coda Memory Band performed in August at New Milton's community allotment at a special event to encourage people experiencing dementia to visit the project.
The aim of this community project is to create a space where those with dementia can benefit from meaningful and therapeutic activity while enjoying fresh air, physical activity and socialising.
The allotments held a series of open days across the Summer to raise awareness of the project - and amongst those enjoying the entertainment from our Memory Band were attendees from local care homes and the Mayor of New Milton.
Thanks to the Memory Band for providing the music - it was really great to help raise awareness of this fantastic initiative.
Do go along for a visit, have a chat with the allotment volunteers, and see what’s growing and blooming! To find out more click here
ART SESSION AT BOURNEMOUTH HOSPITAL DEMENTIA WARD
As part of our ongoing work with the Dementia ward at Bournemouth hospital, our art therapist Charlotte visited in August to run an art session with the patients there.
Above is a sample of some of the lovely work created. The patients loved the session and the nurses all commented on how socially and creatively engaged everyone was.
"Terry usually requires 1-1 assistance at all times but today he was interacting and participating on his own".
"Ivy is usually very anxious but is really calm and engaged in your session".
Our residency continues in September with Max Elmore (vocalist and guitarist) booked for a music and singing session on Friday 20th September from 2.30 - 3.30pm.
NEW AUTUMN PROGRAMME
Our new creative programme of classes and workshops is now scheduled to start in the week of 9th September and will include:
EMBRACING THE SEASONS with Rakhee Jasani
Gentle creative movement
Tuesdays 10 – 11.15am
Starting Tuesday 10th September 2024
£40 for 5 weeks
VILLAGE HALL DRAW with Tracey Dovey
For adults of all ages & abilities
Tuesdays 7 – 9pm
Starting Tuesday 10th September 2024
£15 per session PAYG or £90 for 7 weeks
WILD WEDNESDAYS with Maddy Collymore
Creative Family Workshops for families with pre-schoolers
Wednesdays 10.30am -12pm
Starting Wednesday 11th September 2024
£10 PAYG (per family) or £60 for 7 weeks
SCULPTURE CLUB with Emily Stracey
After-school, creative, mixed-media workshops
Thursdays 4.30am - 6.30pm
Starting Thursday 12th September 2024
For 8-14 years £60 for 7 weeks
Visit coda.org.uk/whats-on for full details or to book
WELCOME WEEKEND
Saturday & Sunday 14th & 15th September
10.30am - 3pm
at Coda Music & Arts Centre
Visit Coda’s brand new facilities and explore your creativity with a range of FREE taster workshops for everyone at our Welcome Weekend event.
Start the day with a Qigong session (gentle movement related to Tai Chi) then enjoy some free drop-in creative activities including sewing, drawing, sculpture, print-making and nature-based workshops.
With music provided by The Folk Orc.
This is a free weekend of creative activities - all ages & abilities are welcome: children & families, beginners to experienced makers, crafters & artists.
Please come along and try something new!
FREE CLASSICAL GUITAR TASTER SESSIONS
We have some availability for instrumental tuition in September, so if you are thinking about learning an instrument - or would like to go back to learning - we are welcoming new students for the Autumn Term. In particular, we would love to encourage some more Classical Guitar students to join us and we are offering FREE taster sessions for lessons in September.
Stephen Kenyon is our highly qualified and experienced Classical Guitar tutor. If you'd like to know a bit more about Stephen's background, experience and approach to teaching, click here
If you would like to try a taster lesson, we are offering a limited number of FREE taster sessions (specifically for Classical Guitar, limited to one per person and subject to availability).
Taster sessions are also available for all other instruments for £5.
If you would like to take up our free taster session offer or book for any other instrument, please contact Coda to arrange - call 01425 276161 or email contact@coda.org.uk
SINGING MAMAS
Wednesdays 10.30am - 12pm, starting 4th September
£8 per session
A new local group for women's wellbeing is coming to Coda, starting 4th September 2024. Mums, carers, grandmothers, and women without children are all welcome. Bumps and babies too! As children we sing freely and joyfully, but many voices get shushed or told they're not good enough. Singing becomes scary and we forget how to do it. Well, this is your invitation to find your voice again. Singing together is clinically proven to improve wellbeing and treat postnatal depression and anxiety. Shy singers, loud singers, all welcome. No experience needed and no wrong notes!
Singing Mamas will offer a welcoming singing circle sharing beautiful, simple songs from around the world, taught by ear.
If you would like to know more or book a place, contact elaine.cullinane@gmail.com
or visit www.singingmamas.org
CHRIS HOPGOOD TUITION & GROUPS W/C 2nd SEPTEMBER
A reminder that Chris Hopgood is away for the first week of Autumn Term (week commencing 2nd September), which means that there will be no one-to-one tuition with Chris (your invoices have been adjusted accordingly), Monday Beautiful Sounds, Folk Orc, Blues Orchestra or Campfire Sessions that week.
BSO YOUNG ASSOCIATES
Passionate about music? Keen to inspire and make a difference? The BSO want to hear from you!
The BSO Young Associates is an opportunity for 18-26 year olds from backgrounds underrepresented in the arts and based in the South West to train as creative music leaders.
Music makes everything better! So if you’re creative, passionate about music of all kinds and love working with people, then the 7-month part time BSO Young Associate scheme will give you paid experience, training and mentoring to inspire others as a community music leader. No music leading experience required – we’re looking for potential!
Whether you’re an instrumentalist, music producer or singer/songwriter – the BSO want to hear from you!
Want to find out more?
Go to bsolive.com/jobs/young-associates
Closing date 16 September 2024
TRINITY EXAMS
Examinations can be a very useful part of learning for students and a vital component for growth and progression. They offer a defined and quantifiable way to measure growth and provide a roadmap for development. If you are interested in taking a Trinity classical exam in December and feel you will be ready, please speak to your tutor. They will be able to discuss your readiness, confirm fees and explain the process to you.
Trinity exams will be taking place on 1st December at Coda. The closing date for applications is 10th October.
We look forward to welcoming you all back from 2nd September and opening up our new spaces for you all to see from 9th September.