Voices of Bolsover: A musical journey from past to future
This project is a series of mini-concerts and workshops, co-produced with Music in The Round. It explores the past, present, and future of former mining communities in Bolsover District.
What we wanted to achieve
The village of Doe Lea is the site of a sculpture inspired by the area's landscape and rich mining heritage. This sculpture, named ‘The Dancing Flowers of Doe Lea’ became the starting point for the project.
We wanted to engage with local stories and aspirations by thinking of the past and looking to the future of these villages today. With our partners, we worked to increase access to orchestral music and build on the local community's pride. The project also aimed to allow young people to use music as a creative voice.
What we did
In 2024, we returned to Bolsover to continue creative conversations in Doe Lea and neighbouring villages. Consultation with residents in Glapwell and New Houghton built on our relationships. We found new partners to celebrate the power of community through joyful engagement with music and collaborative music-making.
Building on previous work with Music in The Round (MiTR), we developed a programme of 3 workshops and mini-concerts held at Doe Lea Centre, Glapwell Centre and Bramley Vale. There was also a final sharing event held at Doe Lea Centre.
The workshops focused on co-composing new music and singing together. This went down well at the Glapwell Centre and led to the creation of a new community choir.
For the second phase in May 2024, the project reached more villages and the concerts and co-composition sessions went to New Houghton. In New Houghton Community Hub, New Houghton Community Centre and Doe Lea Centre, interactive mini-performances and co-creation of new songs and music took place over the May half-term holiday.
The sessions brought children of all ages and a joyful group of young and older adults who all shared their stories. For many, this was the first time they had sung or played an instrument as part of a group. For some, it was a chance for them to share their musical prowess!
Music leaders and musicians helped participants include their stories and memories into the creative sessions.
[My favourite aspect was] seeing the range of engagement by the local community from 2 years old to 86 and people from different walks of life.
~ Community Leader, Bolsover District
Outcomes
Through observations and feedback, we saw that the project had a positive impact by using orchestral music to bring people together, enhancing community cohesion, and inspiring creative placemaking.
The first phase engaged over 120 pupils from Bramley Vale School and over 50 participants at Doe Lea Centre and the Glapwell Centre. Delivering informal and participatory mini-concerts allowed residents to enjoy the music in a friendly environment, and to connect with each other.
This approach allowed us to test the creation of a new community choir which we hope to continue when we return.
It was excellent, good and magical. I enjoyed every little bit of it.
Bramley Vale School student
Working with Orchestras Live has been transformative for pupils at Bramley Vale. To be able to work alongside musicians who engage and inspire has changed pupils view of music. The immersive nature of the programme and the naturalness of the interactions has made a life-long impact on the children and the ripple effect has been seen in families and the wider community. Bramley Vale School has reassessed the importance of music within our curriculum as a result of the positive impact of working with Orchestras Live.
Rob Rumsby, Head Teacher, Bramley Vale School
Future plans
We look forward to returning with MiTR. Current plans mean we can expand the offer to more community groups and schools.
- Glapwell Centre has a solid group of people in their new community choir. This legacy will be developed as part of the adult storytelling and music co-creation.
- New Houghton Community Hub has a small group of older adults, very keen to continue to collaborate. They would like to be involved in the development of the project, in the form of more music and singing workshops.
- Doe Lea and Bramley Vale School are very keen to continue our collaborative work, with the head teacher advocating for the work we are doing in the area. We have plans for this to take place in Autumn 2024.
Through conversation with our partners, we have contacted local musicians, writers, and poets, who we hope to work with in the coming months. A long-term goal for the project is to connect our work with heritage sites in Bolsover. We are excited to build on our local relationships and bring more music to the Cultural Corridor and beyond.
Open an image gallery
Partners, performers and venues
Partners: Bolsover District Council, Doe Lea Centre, Glapwell Centre, Bramley Vale Primary School, Cultural Corridor, Music in The Round, New Houghton Community Hub, New Houghton Community Centre.
Performers: Consone Quartet, Bridge Ensemble, Andy J Smith (Music Leader), Elinor Moran (Workshop Leader and Animateur), Naomi Atherton (Music Leader).
Venues: Doe Lea Centre, Bramley Vale School, Glapwell Centre, New Houghton Community Hub, New Houghton Community Centre.
Funders: Scops Art Trust, Bolsover District Council.