Projects
Big Music Collective Projects, Collaborations and Commissions.
Summer 2025
Signals of the Sea
with PaddleBoat Theatre
It's been great to work with PaddleBoat Theatre as Musician/Storyteller in their new show Signals of the Sea.
Come and discover secrets under the waves in this interactive family adventure with @paddleboat.theatre!
The steady beam of the lighthouse has rotated for hundreds of years, casting its eye over countless pirates, sea creatures and shipwrecks.
Now the Lighthouse Keeper welcomes you to learn the fantastical secrets of the Lighthouse - can you help him discover what’s really going on beneath the waves?
We have been touring in schools and some venues finishing this Summer Term. It's a hot tour so far but lots of fun!
Exeter Show coming soon at Theatre Alibi on Sun 6th July, 11am & 2pm.
More info: www.paddleboattheatre.co.uk
Spring/Summer 2025
Big Silly Sing Choir
with Theatre Alibi
We delivered a fantastic pilot in collaboration with Theatre Alibi called Big Silly Sing - Exciting New Singing Workshops for 7-11 Year Olds
Alibi has teamed up with Big Music Collective to bring young singers an exciting new series of fun and interactive singing workshops!
Led by Laura Loft (Big Music Collective) and Hattie Brown (PaddleBoat Theatre Company), these sessions were all about building confidence, exploring new styles, and having a fantastic time making music together!
This pilot was called Spring Stompers exploring songs from musicals, TV, and film—all in a lively and supportive environment. And with a lovely showcase sharing at the end in the main Theatre Alibi Auditorium.
Spring 2025
Big Dreams - A Musical Takeover
at Exeter Phoenix
After the wonderful experience with the TAP Big Dreams Live Show, we have created a musical takeover version with Big Music Collective.
This show took place at Exeter Phoenix and was a relaxed and sensory delight as we invited children in comfy clothes and PJs to sit on the mats, relax and take part in the show with puppets, instruments and more!
We would love to share this version of the show more so do get in touch if you have a venue/setting that might be a great fit!
Autumn 2024 - Spring 2025
TAP Project: Big Dreams
Teignbridge District
Big Music Collective led by Laura Loft received funding for the Big Dreams Project from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund #UKSPF
Big Music Collective worked in collaboration with Paddleboat Theatre Company delivering the
Big Dreams Project in the Teignbridge District which included;
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Part 1: School Music & Theatre Workshops - Autumn 2024!
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Part 2: Community Art Workshops creating the Big Dreams Book - Autumn/Winter 2024/25!
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Part 3: Big Dreams Live: Interactive Reading - Sat 1st Feb 2025!
With a huge thanks to our funders, this project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. #UKSPF @teignbridgecouncil
We had a wonderful time, great response and feedback from the audience, schools and communities involved.
Spring/Summer 2024
Uncertain Tides
with PaddleBoat Theatre
It's been great to be invited back to work at the Deaf Academy in Exmouth with Paddleboat Theatre. I am delivering some music making sessions linked to their heritage project called Uncertain Tides which explores the coast and young people's relationship with it.
So far we've had rhythm workshops, songwriting workshops and local sculptor Brendan Rawlings led a super cool workshop where the YP created collage images.
We then used these images to create songs including a rather marvellous group song called 'The Fish & the Shopping Trolley'.
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the term unfolds!
Winter 2023/Spring 2024
Breathing Space
with Youth Arts Health Trust
I have been freelancing with Youth Arts Health Trust on developing community engagement and we were lucky to be successful with funding from ACED for 3 month pilot based in East Devon for Young People in years 6, 7, 8. A working title of Breathing Space....so watch this space!
If you don't know about them already, Youth Arts Health Trust are a fantastic registered charity based in Exeter, Devon who specialise in providing arts therapies for children and young people. https://www.youthartsandhealth.org/
Winter 2023
Splash!
with PaddleBoat Theatre
Last year I was invited by Paddleboat Theatre to deliver a music making workshop and CPD with Mill Water School based upon
The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch. It was such a heart filling experience working with absolutely lovely people for lovely people!
We used a variety of instruments and created a fun improvised sea soundscape.
I am currently working again with Paddleboat Theatre but this time on a 10 week project at Exmouth Deaf Academy and it's only a few weeks in but I can say I am absolutely loving this project already.
It's called Splash and we are exploring making sounds and stories based around water, the ocean and Paddleboat Theatre's book and show Little Man's Holiday.
Autumn 2024
Women of Wonder with Scratchworks Theatre
I've been working as a Music Collaborator with Scratchworks Theatre on their Women of Wonder Project. And what a wonderful project it is. We've workshopped around Women in Greek Mythology: Circe, Persephone and Pandora The final showing is at Barnfield Theatre, Friday 22nd March. Looking forward to sharing the songs with this wonderful group.
Spring 2024
Big Emotions Interactive Reading at What If! Festival - Theatre Alibi
From the 31st of January to the 17th of February 2024 @theatrealibi are hosting ‘What If…?’ a festival of children’s stories.
There will be theatre performances, workshops, an exhibition, author and illustrator talks. And Emmanuel Hall will be transformed into a portal for creativity and play, all centred around the magic of story!
And BIG EMOTIONS Interactive Reading will be there on Fri 16th Feb at either 10am or 2pm. Check out the website and book tickets. I'd love to see you there to share the Big Emotions Love xxx
Spring/Summer 2024
Big Emotions Live
at Turner Sims, Southampton
Fab time @turner_sims with these fabulous musicians and friends @westcountryrhythm@katiescotthamilton performing Big Emotions Live Show for the family fun day!
Thank you to the venue for being wonderfully welcoming, organised and vibrant and to the audience for all your joyful interaction.
Hopefully see you again!
Winter 2023
Big Emotions & Big Dreams available on Charanga!
I’m so fizzy and bubbly excited to announce that Big Music Collective is working in partnership with @charangamusic who are hosting the Big Emotions & Big Dreams 6 week taster scheme of work.
I met Madeleine Casson - Education Director - during the pandemic and it’s always been a joy having meetings together and working towards this collaboration.
Using @charangamusic myself firstly when I was teaching as a music teacher in Primary Schools and now as a visiting freelancer to a variety of schools and settings, I’ve always found it such a fantastic resource and so user friendly. I can’t believe their developments and how much more content is always being added - its growth is one to be admired.
I feel really privileged to be able to offer my work on such a prestigious educational platform and I really hope you all enjoy…there’s plenty more where that came from too!
Winter 2023/Spring 2024
Big Silly Sing Tour
with Evolve/Libraries Unlimited
We were successful with funding to deliver a series of Big Silly Gigs to libraries. And we're looking forward to delivering our BIG SILLY GIG soon with thanks to @librariesunlimited @exelivebetter@aceagrams
Expect an energetic, fun and silly sing-along with live music, sensory props and percussion. Sing, play and dance along to original silly songs and well-known songs with Laura Loft plus musicians Jay Scott-Hamilton & Katie Scott-Hamilton from the Big Music Collective.
An interactive family gig with plenty of opportunities to 'get creating music' together and explore and play the instruments.
Book your place by contacting Torrington library or visit librariesevolve.org.uk/events
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-silly-gig-tickets-712905277877?aff=oddtdtcreator
Spring/Summer 2024
Big Emotions: Arts Awards with Topsham Community
St Margaret's Church, Topsham is now a registered Arts Award Centre for children and young people to gain their Arts Awards. But what are Arts Awards? Arts Awards are national qualifications to support young people aged 25 and under to develop as artists and arts leaders. Starting at Discover, then Explore and progressing to Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
And the list of art forms to explore is endless from music making, craft, painting, drawing, dancing, theatre, movement, cake decorating, poetry, pottery, drumming, songwriting, learning the ukulele and so much more!
I was invited to deliver a pilot of 6 weeks music making Arts Award Discover based upon my book Big Emotions: Mindful Music For Little People. We had many positive outcomes and have drawn upon this to move forwards in our sustainable arts award offering for the future.
Summer 2023
Big Music Collective CPD at DMEH Conference
Set up and ready to go! Loving being at @buckfastabbeyofficial with @devonmusicedhub for the South West Peninsula Music Conference 2023.
Two #bigemotions workshops to deliver today and so much to soak up from all the wonderful music educators here today! @charangamusic @sonopera1@sound_communities_cic @abrsmmusic@thevoicesfoundation to name a few.
Look out for:
> Memberships with full schemes of work, songs, downloads, video and more.
> Resources including Big Emotions Book, Flash Cards, Tote Bags PLUS the NEW Big Dreams Book coming soon (Feb 2025!)
> Live Shows & Readings including Big Emotions Live, Big Emotions Interactive Reading, Big Silly Gigs & coming soon Big Dreams Live.
> Workshops including Big Emotions, Big Dreams & Bespoke options with ukuleles & boomwhackers.
Spring 2022
Big Dreams Commission - Imaginative Songs Scheme of Work
So, I've had some really awesome news....My Big Dreams Project which is split into three parts...(Part 1: the book creation - Part 2: the educational resource - Part 3: the live show) is now working with The South West Coastal Alliance who were successful in their funding bid to support the creation of Part 2 - the educational music resource which accompanies the book.
This is such fantastic news and I've been working away getting it all ready. This funding enables me to create the resource whilst working with other creatives to create illustrations (the wonderful front cover designed by @niaski@niagouldstudio) record and arrange the songs, recording studio time, filmmaker and musicians (@westcountryrhythm). Plus it also enables my work with professional children's psychologists and reasearch into #growthmindset and #emotionalstates
This book is all about #growthmindset and finding our way back to #soothe aimed at 6-9yr olds.
The Big Dreams Focus Group will be released soon so watch this space! It will take place @revitalize.studios on Wednesday 27th July, 2-4pm for 6-9yr olds for a limited number.
Summer 2021
Big Emotions Live Tour
We won funding to deliver Big Emotions Live Tour.
And today’s the day!!! #bigemotions #livetourstarts in #primaryschools #exeter and we started with #topshamschool
Thanks so much for having us! We super enjoyed meeting you all and having some fun on our musical adventure!
We will be visiting 8 schools and 2 venues so keep an eye out!