KEY INFORMATION

• Our workshops also include insights into the development of Caribbean folk music, Jamaican ska, reggae, rap as well as hip-hop and their influence on contemporary British music as well as illustrations of how each instrument fits within the group. Participants get a thorough understanding of the social, political, historical and cultural forces that shaped Jamaican/Caribbean music as well as practical experience of playing the music. We get the children to re enact key moments in Jamaican/Caribbean history.

• A whole school musical experience that is a unifying and inspiring event bringing together pupils, teachers, and staff through the power of music and performance.

• The children are always entranced by the music, and the teachers also get swept up in the incredibly energetic and uplifting experience.

• We are very skilled at getting everyone involved, encouraging the children to sing and dance along with the music and generally participate fully in the workshops. 

• During a typical day-long workshop, we can work with up to 30 children in a session and deliver on average 5 sessions lasting about 45 minutes each. But we can also cater for larger groups of up to two year classes in one session in order that the whole schools gets to experience our workshop. (i.e. 60 + children)

• Can include an art module. i.e. making Arawak head dresses or flags of the Caribbean

• Get the children writing  their own lyrics and singing  their finished  songs with the band. 

• Flexible workshop design & delivery

• Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES)  (who work with schools and cultural organisations to provide music and arts opportunities for all children and young people who live or go to school in Tower Hamlets) promote our Black History Month Workshops to all their primary schools in the borough.

• Professional 5-piece band drawing on veterans from the reggae scene including workshop facilitator.

• Experienced working with diverse groups

• Can combine workshops & performance (i.e. for assembly or after school e.g. playground at pick up.)

• Ska,  reggae and Caribbean folk music (mento & calypso)

HISTORY 

Through working in many primary and secondary schools in England, both private and state  we have developed workshops which have been delivered to an enormous range of participants including pupils in schools as well as young adults from many diverse backgrounds. 

We  also have  considerable experience delivering workshops and performances to schoolchildren in many countries and from many cultures ranging from Kazakhstan, Canada, Ukraine, Brazil, Jamaica, India, Barbados and more and have worked extensively with the British Council in organising these. The workshops are very popular during Black History Month in the UK. We have also worked with students in danger of permanent exclusion. 

TESTIMONIALS

It was lovely to meet you and the band last week. It was genuinely one of the most enjoyable and exhilarating days of my (very long!) teaching career.

Some quotes for you from the children. ' How on earth are you going to top that MRS H?' 'That was the best day of my life!'

From my point of view your workshops were superb. I obviously only saw the music bits but it was perfectly pitched for the children . The workshop contained a fantastic balance of singing, information and background history. I loved the way you linked the songs to the story of Jamaica and its culture, flora and fauna. The children absolutely loved it -you had 2 year olds bopping away to the live music, 3-4 yr olds absolutely mesmerized, Year 2 totally in awe of the musicians and their amazing sound and Year 6 lost their inhibitions and were singing their hearts out with big smiles on their faces. It was really lovely for the parents and Head to see what you had been working on with the children too. Finally I'm very grateful to you all for giving up some of your lunch break to play alongside the orchestra. They were so thrilled and it was an amazing opportunity for them to play with professional musicians.

Thank you so much . The only small point I would make is that some of the children with ASD found the sound levels a bit too high . One of my violinists was crying as he played because it was too loud , but we can adjust that in the future and maybe provide ear defenders or ear plugs for those specific children.

It was lovely to meet you all and I do hope we can arrange another visit in the near future. Best wishes, Emily Hinchliff (music teacher) Barfield Prep School, Farnham

We gave Maroon Town a real challenge at Bedfont Primary School: 600 children aged 2-11 years for music and dance workshops – 60 children every hour on the hour for 2 days – and they really did rise to the occasion! The band were full of energy the entire time and adapted their sessions to meet the needs of a variety of ages and children with special needs and disabilities. Their sessions were engaging and informative and so much fun; the school was full of smiles the whole time they were in. I would highly recommend Maroon Town to any school or organisation looking for an uplifting whilst educational experience. Thank you for bringing the magic of music and dance into our school – we loved every minute of it. Gemma Donnelly, Head Teacher, 41½ years

Maroon Town have had such an impact on our school that we have built them into the curriculum and they have been asked to perform annually. They expertly weave enjoyment of ska music with Jamaican and London black history. The first time the performed for our pupils was in Black History Month. This great cultural capital experience helped our pupils to understand part of our city's important cultural heritage. The second time they played was a series of outdoor summer concerts for individual year groups. Seeing children dancing to ska music, with big smiles on their faces, was amazing. The band burst with energy and fun which permeates through their whole audience. I look forward to seeing them perform again. Jon Makepeace Deputy Head. Norwood Green Junior School

I don’t really know where to start with saying thank you for yesterday. It truly was a fantastic day from start to finish with everything you and the band brought for us. The workshops were engaging, full of information and full of fun!  The performance after school was something really different for our school community and we had such brilliant feedback from families. Staff morale was at a real high today and I truly have you to thank! Nicole Philpotts. Assistant Head Teacher, Seven Mills Primary School 

Maroon Town were fantastic!!! Entertaining, enthusiastic, informative and lots of fun. A much-loved workshop by all classes. Filled with various elements that allowed our pupils to learn more about the Caribbean culture. Dancing, singing, and learning all about Jamaica’s history was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The girls are still talking about how great the day was and claiming one of the best workshops they’ve had at school for a long time. Hope to have you back in the future Maroon Town!! Cecilia Bozzi, Head of Humanities and Diversity, Queen's College Preparatory School.

I liked the band because the songs were really catchy. I’ve never watched any live music before. I loved it! Avi, 7 years

“I listen to Bob Marley on the way to school in my car. I give Maroon Town 10 stars. I thought the lollypop song was so funny! I was clapping and dancing. It made me feel excited. My friends did some great dancing.” Jack, age 6

" I had fun , It was awesome" Shemena  age 7 

“Maroon Town provided truly stimulating and interactive music sessions for groups of primary school children at the Community Learning Centre (supporting BA/Unicef days teaching children about the history and culture of Jamaica). A fabulous group of people to work with! The children were inspired and engaged throughout, they experienced a range of music styles and activities. Feedback from children and the accompanying staff was excellent, the centre was buzzing and we all went home singing! We will certainly be working with them again.” Lindsay Hurrell, Education Officer Unicef UK

“Feedback was absolutely fantastic. Children, staff and parents all alike were knocked out by how great you all were. I wish I could have been there, but I look after my youngest daughter on a Friday and couldn’t get down. It was so good that the head, Lorraine sent me this message at 11.30 p.m. on a Friday night: “Hello Mr Williams, I am sorry for the late message but I could not sleep soundly without having thanked you for booking Maroon Town – they were fantastic!!!”. That’s never​ happened before, so you not only did a great job, you also made me look good, for which I thank you! Needless to say, if you want any recommendations we’d be happy to do so – and we’d love to have you back at some stage. Luke Hollowell-Williams, Drama and EAL Co-ordinator, Holy Trinity and St Silas CofE Primary School, Camden, London

From myself and all of us at Osmani, I'd like to say a huge thank you!! I had so many children and staff memebers comment on how much fun they had during your sessions. Thank you for making the workshops interactive, engaging and most importantly, thank you providing information to our children and staff during Black History Month. We look forward to working with the band again. Kemi Aladeoki, Osmani Primary School 

“Thank you for the inspirational day of performances and workshops! I know that it was a valid learning experience for pupils and even inspired the staff to participate enthusiastically.” Woodlands Junior School.

“Brilliant and inspiring!” Head of Music Kingston Grammar School 

Maroon Town visited our school to perform a live outdoor concert for an end of term musical celebration, and within minutes everyone was on their feet singing and dancing.  The songs and dance moves were perfectly pitched, and it was an amazing experience to watch the whole school community respond wholeheartedly to the music and excellent musicians. Sarah Guest, Telferscot Primary School 

I really liked the drummer because he was from Argentina. I was going to ask him for his autograph. I actually really liked the dance “My back is itchy.” I really enjoyed it when they were playing the songs and we did dancing. I loved the chicken peck dance.  Johnny 6 years old

I loved the story of Jamaica. My favourite dance was “my back is itching me”. The dance was really funny. I’ve never seen live music before. I really enjoyed it and showed my family the dances. Ashmeen, 6 years old

I liked the pulse of the music. I was dancing with my friends.  Ruqayyah 7 years old

We learnt all about the instruments they were playing. It was really fun! Abdulbari, 7 years old

"It was very fun and I felt very happy spending time with my friends dancing and singing." Pupil Mayflower Primary School Year 5

"They made the assembly fun by using music and dance.  We learned a lot about black history month through music, acting and dancing" Pupil Mayflower Primary School Year 5

The Jamaican workshop was fun and interesting. I loved learning about Jamaican history.' (Noah)

'The lesson was so fun and I enjoyed it a lot. I loved the dancing and the singing and when the lady let everyone sing some bits of the song into the microphone. If I had another opportunity to take part in it again, I would definitely.' (Lola)

'I learnt that Jamaica is made up of a lot of different races and had to fight for its independence. I enjoyed the songs that were very upbeat and fun. I also enjoyed the dancing at the end. I looked around and everyone was enjoying themselves.' (Millie)

'I enjoyed learning dance moves and singing along to the songs. I learnt about different types of Jamaican music and about how Nanny of the Maroons helped slaves to escape and that she is now on the Jamaican 500 dollar note.' (Ebony)

'I loved this workshop shop because it was very interesting and I loved the dance . My favourite song was ‘I’m Free’. I would love to do this every day!' (Annabel)

'I enjoyed the workshop because it was very interactive and it got lots of people up and moving about. I also liked all the songs and how enjoyable they were. I've learnt about the blue mountains and about Nanny of the Maroons and Marcus Garvey. Overall I really enjoyed learning and singing about this topic.' (Ava-Rose)

'I liked the Jamaican workshop because the songs were catching and fun to join in and sing. I also like how you had a lot of options to join in and take part.' (Joshua)

'It was really cool. I learnt about the Spanish and English wars with Jamaica. The songs were fun and catchy.' (Tara)

'I really enjoyed the workshop as the singer was amazing and I really enjoyed listening to the band. I would love to do this again.'  (Amelia)

'I really enjoyed the way all the members of Maroon Town made it fun with the way they explained things. I also enjoyed dancing. I learnt about diversity and the history of Jamaica and how it came to be an independent country.' (Leo)

'I liked the energy the band had and all of the dance moves and songs.' (Hollie)

'I enjoyed the dancing and the dance skills I learnt.' (Cagri)

'The workshop was very interactive and taught me a lot about Jamaica. For example, one of the songs talked about the blue mountains and that it was a place where slaves went to escape from slave masters.' (Casper)

'I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the band. They were very kind. I also enjoyed learning about the different cultures and the history of Jamaica. I learnt new songs and dance moves.' (Sahana)

'The Jamaican workshop was excellent because it was different from our normal timetabled routine, so we refreshed our minds. It was also good because it had diverse people from different backgrounds sharing their cultures.' (Waleed)