Bands drum up young people to challenge stereotypes

Kendall had never played an instrument before.

Now at 11 years old, she is learning how to play the drum with her friends off the Donegall Road in south Belfast.

The project from the Belfast Bands Forum aims to introduce young people to "positive cultural expression through music" while also helping to "challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions".

"I was quite nervous the first time I came but now my confidence is really high," she said.

Danika said she "thought it would be fun to do something new, my uncle used to be a bass drummer".

The 12-year-old said she would encourage other kids to "just go for it".

"Try something outside of your comfort zone to see what you really like. My confidence was quite low, but now it's high."

During a session at the Greater Village Regeneration Trust, all eyes were on Riley Mcauley who tutors the group.

As well as delivering lessons in how to hold the drum sticks, the young people are learning rhythms, accents and beats.

He's teaching tempo and building confidence, all in a hour-long class.

"I think it's important that kids could be out there doing other things on the street. That they'd rather be in here learning to play the drum. Kids get to express themselves more," he said.

Harrison who is 14 joined a marching band aged 11.

"It's something different for a kid my age. Normally when I'm learning something new, it's like how to play a PlayStation or Xbox or schoolwork or maths.

"You can practice in your own time, and whenever you are practising in your own time you just get better at it."

Carson, aged 10, has been learning how to drum for 18 months, after finding one "just lying around".

"I just picked it up. It's very fun to do just learning all types of new drumming. It's very good like."

Belfast Bands Forum has said for many of the participants, this was their only opportunity to access "structured musical tuition".

The project has been rolled out into six settings including schools and community groups.

Marching bands are often traditionally associated with Protestant or loyalist communities in Northern Ireland.

That's a stereotype Darren Leighton, Chairman of the Belfast Bands Forum, says he is determined to break.

As well as giving some of the children their first contact with musical instruments, Leighton hopes the project will help break down barriers by challenging misconceptions surrounding cultural traditions and identity.

"As soon as you lift a drum or a flute, you become the bogeyman.

"Projects like this is how we are going to break that negative stereotype and actually show people there is a positive side to culture and identity."

Leighton described the talent as "unbelievable".

"Some of the kids we've engaged with are absolutely incredible."

He said the projects are working in primary schools that do not have a music curriculum.

"There's quite a lot of integration and cross community work within the schools, so we are right across the board."

Zara Gregg from the Greater Village Regeneration Trust said: "The elements of young leadership, mentoring and role model setting has been also been positive."

She said a lot of "these kids would be out on the streets" so and that it gives "them a focus once every week".

As for the drumming itself: "It's much harder than it looks," she added.