Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?

Subject: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 02:23 PM

I'm fantasizing about a trip to the UK this summer, only I can just about manage the airfare and not much more. I would love to pay my way by doing what I do best- visiting schools and teaching American songs and play-party games.
So the big questions are:
When are UK children in school? Isn't there a summer term? I am available all of July and most of August.

If the little darlings are not at school, are there summer camp or day care programs that would be interested?

Do UK school even do this sort of thing- hire outsiders to perform for a day or a few days? I envision meeting with individual classes of about 20 or so students, as well as large group assemblies. I would cater my program to the age-group, as I have great songs and games for ages 5-8 or so, as well as for 8 or 9-11 or 12. I would throw in some history and geography as well, and it would all be group participation.

Are there visa issues I need to know about?

I won't list my credentials here, but I do know my stuff. If you're interested, just ask!

I really hope this dream can become a reality!

Allison

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 02:26 PM

I can't answer many of your questions, but I do know that schools in England are closed from about the third week in July and all of August. The Autumn term starts sometime at the beginning of September.

Just to warn you - most folk clubs close in August too.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 02:30 PM

And I have a horrible feeling that a work permit will be required if
you are going to be paid out of a schools budget.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: C-flat
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 02:50 PM

Many local authorities provide a range of activities during the summer holidays and there are a number of summer schools offering various musical workshops to children so I would imagine that you would need to start with those first.
The best scenario would be to find one of these organisations prepared to hire you for the six weeks holiday, and preferably somewhere pleasant (Lake District?) but I think you would need to be offering something pretty special as local authority budgets are tight on this sort of give-away activity.
I suspect that Leadfingers is right about the work permit.
One of the members of my band is a school headmaster and was recently describing a visit their school made to see an aboriginal didgereedoo? player. I know that the performer was paid by the education board and any of the schools in the area could attend but this happened during term time.
If I can find out any relevant information that might be of help from my friend I'll pass it on to you.
Good luck.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 05:05 PM

You would also need a full police check to work with children. I don't know how long this would take?

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 05:27 PM

My police checks when I was doingm y teacher training took 2-4 weeks after I had filled in all the appropriate paperwork and sent the cheque off.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: vectis
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:24 PM

I think that your best bet is to try and get booked at some of our folk festivals as a performer and do some workshops as well.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:40 PM

A Police check would be needed and for a foreign national who also wasn't a teacher (they get priority), it would probably take far longer than catsPHiddle's 2 to 3 weeks.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:42 PM

Given the difficulties Homeland Security in America are making for all musicians from outside the States to get in there, this isn't the most tactful question.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: breezy
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:54 PM

just busk!!! and hope.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 07:03 PM

There will additionally be work permit problems as a result of Home office "understanding" with Musicians' Union

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 08:55 PM

It's my understanding that the 'police check' mentioned (formally called 'enhanced disclosure') would only be necessary if you were to be left in sole charge of children.

In all cases in primary schools (which is the age group you are thinking of, Allison) in my experience as a primary school teacher, teaching staff would also be present with a visiting speaker or entertainer, so this formality would not be necessary.

The problem of school holidays is significant, although many primary schools might include such an event as an end-of-term 'treat'.

Another idea would be to get booked at say Whitby and Sidmouth festivals, which are each a week long and both run childrens' workshops. I think they'd love you, but the problem could be that your name isn't known- if you have influential friends/contacts on the music scene that would help a great deal. Same applies to other, weekend festivals, but possibly to a lesser degree.

Hope something works out for you.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Bassic
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 02:21 AM

Its a great idea Animaterra, but I think the above posts cover the main problems you will face. I think Noreen`s festival idea is splendid, it would be different and refreshing. I would suggest a way round having "influential friends a court" (assuming you dont have anyone in that situation) would be to video your work, put together a colourful and informative leaflet/brochure, and send that to festival organisers...........but do it quickly because acts are being booked and programmes are being finalised for this summer as we speak. Festival organisers like to work on sure bets.......thats why they tend to go by recomendation from people they trust. You have to get round that problem and the best way I can think of is to let them see your work first hand.....hence the video. For information and contact details of UK festivals try here.
Good luck and hope to see you this summer!!

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 02:51 AM

I can confirm Noreen's bit about a police check not being obligatory. I work in schools in the way we are talking about here, and I have actually been police checked, but we also take in other musicians who havent. The criterion is definitely(at the moment) whether you are working alone with children. And you always get a rteacher thrown in if you work with a class, in my experience. In fact I would insist on it.
    I think it is the school holiday dates that is going to make this project difficult, Animaterra. However, if you would like me to try your scheme out on an education person, do PM me a bit of factual stuff on what you've been doing and I'll pass it on to a relevant schools person here and see how they react.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: s&r
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 04:29 AM

If you find gigs in the UK check on travelling times - not distances - between venues. You could end up on a whistlestop tour where all you see is the inside of a car/bus/train.

You might also try FAN members (folk arts network.

Stu

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: s&r
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 04:32 AM

Folk Arts Network link here

Stu

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 06:03 AM

These are all great ideas, warnings, cautions.
GUEST Guest, I am a teacher, and I'm sorry if it seems tactless, but suffice it to say the Shrub didn't ask me for advice when he set up all the insane roadblocks and tried to build walls around the US. I'm just trying to visit my UK friends and find a way to afford it.

Bassic, the video idea is a great one and I may do that anyway, whether I make it this year or work on next.

...And it may all be moot this year bcause my 18-year old son may just have totaled his car sliding on ice the very first day on his way to work, and it's up to me to help him get a new car. First day, first job, so I can't ask him to help until he's back to work!

Oh, well. But thanks, all!

Allison

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: vectis
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 03:06 PM

Don't forget Broadstairs Festival the week after Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 03:16 PM

pm me some details, I teach in a special school, we get quite a few musicians from one scheme or another. Police check no worry, you don't need one to be a visitor.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 08:48 PM

Why not try to get booked at some folk clubs? That's what I did this fall in Scotland. There is a lot of info/contacts available on the Internet and some Mudcatters might be able to help you. I called the organizers of different clubs and sent out a demo and ended up with several bookings. It was great! You might not make enough money to cover your expenses, but it sure will help. Most places provided accomodations for the night, if needed, and paid sometimes a set fee and sometimes a percentage of the door.

But you would have to start that process right away since they book several months ahead. I think that might be easier than trying to break into festivals.

By the way I can assure everyone that American musicians and music lovers are very, very upset at the hassles the government is putting visiting foreign musicians through supposedly in the interests of national security. I sure don't see how people like Andy Irvine could be terrorist threats. Please, UK musicians, don't hold that against us!

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:52 AM

Well, my son's car doesn't have collision insurance, only liability. Either I get it repaired to the tune of $1500 or I fork over the same amount for another old beater car. So it looks as though the trip to the UK is off for at least another year, unless some fairy godmother or sugar daddy shows up SOON!

Please send positive car-thoughts- the kid's in a catch-22 right now. Can't get a job without a car, can't get a car without a job.

Allison

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 04:07 AM

There are some "Summer camps" as you call them or play schemes run by local authority. Another possiblity is to foreign language schools. They tend to be based at Colleges /universites/public schools and students come from abroad for 2/3 weeks to learn English. Try Anglo European Studies. they are a large company.

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 04:09 AM

Subject: RE: Getting gigs at UK schools- summer?
From: GUEST,Alan Grange
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 12:11 PM

That's a good one...
...'Another idea would be to get booked at say Whitby and Sidmouth festivals, which are each a week long and both run children's' workshops'...
....The idea of 'just getting booked' at festivals that, by this time, have likely allocated their budget and are well on with formulating their programme.
...the idea that 'just anybody' can ring up out of the blue and be given a place.
I remember Margaret Walters (of Australia's Walters & Warner) asking along these lines the other year, offering to sing for free at a festival - and told in no uncertain terms what to do with herself!
Good luck!
If you pull it off - do tell everyone else what the trick is - there's lots of artists that would love the opportunity.
They too have this fantasy - playing the main stage at Cambridge and Sidmouth and all.