North West London got buzzing to the beat last week as the Rhythm of London festival enthused youngsters, children and even tiny tots, writes Sejal Kapadia.
It started on Saturday 17, where the Mayor of London's week long celebration, saw schools, organisations and institutions from Brent to Fulham revelling in musical workshops and activities.
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance's (ICMP) top Bass tutor Dave Marks said: "Music is one of those things that bring people together, especially for young people who are going through something particularly hard. When you play, everything else disappears out of the picture. It can give young people a sense of worth and purpose."
He was half of the accomplished duo (with drum tutor Darren Ashford) to inspire and teach at ICMP's Bass and Drums masterclass on Dyne Road in Kilburn, on April 19. They experimented with different music time frames called bars from waltz percussions to the music of rock bands in the 1970s. Dave added: "Because we were dealing with time, anyone who played an instrument could join in. This aspect in music is universal."
Meanwhile, toddlers and babies at The Music House for Children's workshops showed you can never be too young to strike a chord.
Here mothers and children attended special London themed music and dance interaction workshops at Bush Hall on Uxbridge Road in Shepherd's Bush, St Stephen's Church on Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill and St Anne & St Andrew's Church on Salisbury Road in Queens Park.
Kath Borer, Senior Manager at The Music House for Children said: "It gave attendants the opportunity to listen and sing to old fashion London themed songs that you donít tend to hear in recent times."
Pope John RC Primary school on Commonwealth Avenue in Shepherd's Bush, was one of the 50 schools to take part in the festival, with various singing classes for children in Reception to Year 6. Their 'School of Rock' band got kids amplifying the sounds of electric guitars and drums. Music teacher, Joca Dalledone explained that, "The more music the better. It can affect mathematical skills, creativity and self confidence, and so the younger they start the better."
Mr Marks decided his career after viewing a live performance for the first time at his school. He said: "If I hadn't experienced this, I don't know where I would be right now. That's why a festival like this is important, because it encourages these opportunities and gets people involved with music."
