What a R!OT
2nd Feb 2012

In January UAK hosted a visit from ‘R!OT’, a unique student band from Dover Christchurch Academy in Kent, who came along to kick start our Winter term Music Challenge.

‘R!OT’ are unusual as they use junk to create music and turned a few heads as they set up their ‘instruments’; shopping trolleys, wheelie bins, old radiators, oil drums and dustbins.  However unpromising this collection looked the band produced the most fantastic rhythms that got everyone, well, Miss Chang at least, boogying in the Auditorium!  After R!OT gave a full on “junk” performance UAK students were treated to three workshops delivered by the Dover pupils and staff, to teaching them how to make music from these unorthodox instruments.  By the end of the sessions students were able to perform a piece of music called ‘Curry Samba’, with five different rhythms all going on at the same time!

R!OT, which was formed a year ago by the Kent school’s musical director, Michael Yeoman, staged a successful public performance at the Canterbury Music Festival and has previously won a place to perform at the Music for Youth National Festival, in Birmingham. Its sound has been described as a fusion of South American, west African and European rhythms.

The day concluded with an evening performance of musical treats which included a joint performance from two other music groups from the same visiting academy, Academy Voices and Soul Band.  The evening, which was open to parents and members of the public, also featured Silsden Town Band and a dozen UAK students, including drum soloist Rishee Anand.  Thank you to parents who sent in sweet tins and other junk items for use on the day.