The Curious Project aims to combat loneliness and isolation by bringing people together through music and the creative arts. We want to encourage friendships and an engagement in the thriving art scene in Birmingham

Song Stories - normally aimed at older participants/care homes. Explores memories using music suggested by participants/families that hold relevance in their life, in a way similar to Desert Island Discs. Offers the opportunity to talk about the music (how it makes them feel, what they associate with the music from their life). This will be recorded in some way – either scribed or physically recorded.  Depending on group size, there is then the opportunity to open discussion up to the group, given participants the chance to build and deepen relationships. The music can then be sung by the participants.

Outcomes can include books compiled with recorded memories of the group/individual. Or, if this is done in a 1-2-1 setting, an outcome could be a full audio/visual recording of the participant talking about the music, why it is important for them, and playing a snippet of the music itself - just like Desert Island Discs - so that their family members can cherish it forever.

Singing Theory - teaching music theory in a fun and engaging way, through popular music that the participants know (can do requests and make the experience more personal). Outcomes include chance to record a chosen song, potentially with new lyrics, and potentially at a recording studio.

Creative Minds - using music as a starting point to access ideas about creativity, imagination and engaging with the wider arts. The programme explores music, storytelling, poetry and art, but can also include other disciplines such as film (and filmmaking), drama etc. Outcomes include pop-up art exhibition.

Songwriting Theory - allows participants to write songs to make sense of complicated feelings in their life. Outcomes include having songs performed live/recorded, with participants potentially able to contribute to the recording process.

If there are parts of multiple programmes that sound interesting, there is the potential to combine programmes into a bespoke programme, this can be discussed in a consultation with Henry.

https://www.thecuriousproject.co.uk/programmes