Changing Tunes
Summer Newsletter
Halfway through 2024...
BY LINDSAY SELLORS-MOORE
As this Summer Newsletter feels quite reflective, featuring an interview with our CEO, David Jones as he celebrates his fifth year with us, and summer picks from some of our lovely volunteers to celebrate last months Volunteer Week, I thought I would cheekily take the reigns for this introduction.
I have been with Changing Tunes for officially a year now as Office Manager. Over the past year I have had the honour of seeing our participants and musicians thrive. I have witnessed our annual concerts, where nervous first-time performers flourish under the gentle guidance of our ever-careful musicians, as well as concerts in prison and post-release work in action. Spending a year seeing participants gain joy and meaning from our work will never not feel special to me. A particular highlight happened this quarter where I was able to see first hand the delight the hard work of our Musicians-in-Residence in Eastwood Park Women’s prison brought, as they pulled off two back to back concerts for residents. I will not forget the sight of a canteen full of women dancing, crying and embracing in shared emotion in a hurry. The power of music and the need for what we do is unmistakably evident. HMP Eastwood Park’s Head of Learning and Skills agreed, sending us this quote, ‘The concert was a joy! Seeing the women singing, clapping and forgetting where they were for an hour reminds us how important music is!’
Below you will find not only the interview with Dave, amazing highlights from our Impact Report and our volunteers summer music picks, but also an update from Red Tangent Records. Thank you for all your support, and every donation. As someone who gets to see the effects it has firsthand, you’re really helping to do something amazing.
Have you read our Impact Report from 2023? If not please request a copy by emailing info@changingtunes.org.uk
Feel good hits of the Summer as chosen by three Changing Tunes volunteers
Dan - Post Release Volunteer. Gorilla by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
I'm going to refer to the tapes we listened to on long summer car journeys as a kid. Certain albums were ever-present: 1Honky Chateau (Elton John),and a Ray Charles compilation. The standout however was Gorilla Half of it went straight over my head but I loved it’s silliness. There are great performances (as well as some that are deliberately bad) and Viv Stanshall is a unique voice.
Alison - Finance Volunteer. Robertson by Ian Robertson and Muriel Johnstone
I love Scottish Country Dancing. Here is an album of dance music from Ian Robertson on the fiddle and Muriel Johnstone on the piano. It is called "Robertson: a musical heritage".
Laura - Office Volunteer. Tainted by Ilse Delange
I’ve just listened to it all through and I love it. It makes me feel the music, and her words are heartfelt. I love music that makes me feel empowered in the summer.
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Five Questions for Five Years
An interview with CEO, David Jones
Let’s start with a big one, what have you learned about the Criminal Justice System over the last five years?
Wow! Where to start? I think I have learnt that almost everything that I thought I knew about the CJS before I took the job was incorrect. I have learned that a system that is outwardly based on fairness and justice is anything but. Prison does not generally act as a deterrent and returns people to the community less able to contribute to society than when they went in. I have learned that the 'answers' to crime and rehabilitation exist but that politicians and voters aren't ready for them. I have however also learned that through building trusting caring relationships and using the power of music people can make genuine and long-lasting changes to their own lives.
What is your favourite part of your role/what excites you the most?
5 years on I still find going into prisons a real privilege. It never gets old. I love having the opportunity to talk to prisoners and hear their stories. I love to see the medium of music unlocking creativity and seeing joy and laughter and pride generated in some of the bleakest places.
What is your proudest moment since being at Changing Tunes?
Arriving at Changing Tunes I found an amazing service that was woefully under-recognised. One of my proudest moments was achieving the external accreditation recognising our Trauma Informed Practice. Having someone external recognise the enormous value of our work in supporting the rehabilitation of those in prison felt like a real milestone. The work of Changing Tune is beginning to get the recognition it deserves and more often than not now Prisons come to us rather than us banging on their doors. This is how it should be.
What has been the biggest challenge over the past five years?
Accepting that we can only do what we can do At some point over the last few years I have come to accept that despite our work having a proven track record of rehabilitation that doesn't mean the prison service will put us in every prison in the UK It doesn't mean that every prisoner will have access to therapeutic music provision Whilst we wait for decision makers to catch up and embrace more creative solutions we will continue to work with the individuals we can
What is your vision for Changing Tunes for the next five years?
Well that would be telling - 5 years on I feel the same as I did on day one - Changing Tunes is an amazing product. I feel it is as relevant now as it was when it was first conceived 37 years ago. I think the next 5 years will see the offer evolve and be used in a wider range of parts of the Criminal Justice System but still very much with the same aim of supporting people to lead creative lives free from crime.
A lot going on here at Red Tangent Records, we have had multiple artists in the recording studio, including Krystina, who many of you may remember from our annual concerts last year. Over the past three months we have signed five new artists, which is really exciting. They have all been working hard in the studio and three of these new signees are up and coming rappers with songs being released from August to October so keep your eyes peeled for those.
We also had Ryan and Barry attend the Prisoners Advice Service event in London and performed some live acoustic songs, with Ryan also sitting on the discussion panel. Speaking of Barry, he will also be going into the studio over the coming weeks to start recording. Ryan has also recently completed 2 new songs for his second album (release date tbc) and we have Wak Therapists recording 3 new tracks in August. A really busy, but exciting time!
Stay in touch with us
Keeping up-to-date with news from Changing Tunes is easier than ever. You’ll also be the first to hear about our annual concert! Coming November 2024. Social Media
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changingtunes/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChangingTunes
Do you want to make a positive difference?
By donating to Changing Tunes it’s like you are in the room with us, supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners and ex-prisoners through the incredible power of music. You can donate on a one-off basis, set up a regular donation, or leave a gift in your will Please click the link below to be taken to our website.
Or if you want to discuss ways you can support us, contact Rea at ream@changingtunes.org.uk.