Review Get Sorted on FreeIndex.com

Get Sorted is now on the Free Index directory.

Get Sorted is now on a new directory website - http://www.freeindex.com/ - only, this directory allows customers and clients to write-up reviews. Now you can have your say about Get Sorted, so please take the time to visit the Get Sorted Free Index profile and add a review... hopefully we'll get more positive ones than negative!

"As FreeIndex is FREE and independent, businesses are ranked by their customer ratings", so we hope that if you're reading this you'll pop over to our FreeIndex profile and help Get Sorted move up the rankings!

"Unlike any other form of traditional business advertising, FreeIndex gives every company regardless of size or budget an equal footing to promote their products and services. Genuine customer reviews allow consumers to make better decisions..."

Help promote Get Sorted, help get us to the top of the ranking which should hopefully help bring in more much needed funding to keep our projects up and running!

Get Sorted Fundraiser!

A week ago Get Sorted had it's Fundraiser gig!

Ali Heath Cook - performed on Friday

Last Friday over 200 people turned out for Get Sorted's fundraiser concert in Sheffield. In the Niagara Police Social Club guests were entertained by a string of bands and musicians, in order to raise money for Get Sorted.

Luke Caley was amongst the acts; performing a mix of covers and his own tracks, he has said in previous blogs that he wasn't too nervous and that “It’s all part and parcel of wanting to play music live – you’ve just gotta get up there and do it!”. When asked about how the performance went he said it was great and he'd had a good time!

Although there were plenty of old phones donated to Get Sorted, we are still accepting any unused mobiles that you have sat around! We can use them to raise money to keep our prokects running.

Luke Caley - up there and doin' it!

In the coming week we hope to put up blogs with videos, photos and write-ups about the concert. So if you weren't there, you'll be able to get a taste of what you missed... and maybe start thinking about booking your ticket for next year's concert!

Graham interviews Jonathan Wilson!

Get Sorted's very own, Graham, recently helped interview Jonathan Wilson.

Graham recently contributed to an interview on Doncaster-based Sine FM Wayne Barlow's 'Across The Great Divide' show, with renowned musician and producer Jonathan Wilson.

Wilson has been on tour with Wilco this autumn for 15 shows across the UK & Europe and has recently released an album 'Gentle Spirit' which is his first official studio album.

For those not aware, Jonathan Wilson has worked with some of the finest musicians out there. Here's what his website's biography says about him:

"Whether working with promising new recording artists like the band Dawes, contemporary artists, such as Erykah Badu and Elvis Costello, or Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Jackson Browne, and Robbie Robertson, Wilson, a tall, slim, long-haired presence, provides direction and support as tasty and soulful as anyone in the business today."

The show can be heard on the Sine FM - Doncaster's Local Radio station, being the first not-for-private-profit station in the area, was launched in January 2007. Sine FM was created to provide a platform for creative expression and a distinctive, accessible community radio service, celebrating the diversity of Doncaster.

Exams & e-Newsletter.

The examination period has begun; Get Sorted are starting a email newsletter service.

Exams

The examination period for Associated Board (ABRSM) and Rockschool has begun. Get Sorted will be holding exams for ABRSM on the Thursday 1st December and for Rockschool on Friday 2nd December.

There are around 15 Get Sorted students taking an exam on either day, on a range of different instruments. It is expected - but not guaranteed - that the results should be back before Get Sorted breaks up for winter break on the 16th December. Get sorted tutors and staff wish each student the best of luck!

At Get Sorted all students are given the opportunity to take instrumental exams and to follow the Associated Board syllabus. We offer both Rock School and the Associated Board of Music as examination routes and have very high success rates for both. We encourage students to take exams as they can take these qualifications with them anywhere they go. Get Sorted is the accredited centre for Rock School exams in South Yorkshire.

Newsletter

Another brief bit of news is that Get Sorted will be starting a brand new email newsletter that will keep you up-to-date everything that's going on at Get Sorted. To subscribe simply get in touch (01709 513099 - info@getsortedmusic.co.uk) with your name and a email address.

Get Sorted on Shop Local!

Get Sorted is now listed on the 'Shop Local' directory.

As was mentioned a few blogs ago, Get Sorted was looking at being added to the 'Shop Local' directory, a scheme that aims to encourage folk to spend their money in Rotherham town centre.

Well, now Get Sorted is on included on the list, with the offer of a free lesson when four are booked in advance. So for anyone who ever wanted to learn to play an instrument, now there are no excuses... and that's without saying a word about Christmas being just round the corner!

According to Director of Planning and Regeneration Paul Woodcock, "Shop Local is the big campaign to increase footfall to the town centre and it's encouraging to see so many businesses signed up and committed to it. The marketing and promotion of this scheme is crucial but we hope we've got the basics right. We have the offer and now it actually pays for people to shop here.

"With an increase of free events this year and new shops and market stalls opening up we feel Rotherham town centre has a lot to offer in comparison to competing centres."

Once people have their Shop Local loyalty card, they just need to look out for the Shop Local window sticker in participating businesses and ask what their entitled to as one of Rotherham's loyal shoppers.

Due to its massive success all Shop Local offers have been extended until further notice, and it seems that the direxctory is growing! Visit the Town Centre website for more infomation, where Get Sorted are featured in the News section.

Get Sorted 'Christmas packages'.

Get Sorted will be selling Christmas instrument 'packages'.

For Christmas, Get Sorted will be putting together instrument packages for sale. While the full details of the packages aren't yet revealed, they will include for example, guitar packages and drum packages.

The packages will be 'starter kits' designed to provide the basic instrument along with all those bits and pieces that are associated with starting to learn and playing the instrument. A guitar package may include things like a set of plectrums, a pack of strings, a lead... and so on.

If you've been keeping your eyes peeled, you may have seen a guitar package or two advertised around the building, and will know that the prices of these packages will be as cheap as we can. As they become available there will be posters up around the buildings and will appear on the blog, but you can also get in touch with us and find out more by emailing (info@getsortedmusic.co.uk) or calling the office (01709 513 099).

These kits will be an ideal way for those musicians right at the start of their careers to get there hands on affordable, good quality instruments with all the necessary trimmings... so it might be worth writing a letter to Santa!

NEET Programme

Get Sorted work with young people 'not in education, employment or training'.

The NEET programme is designed to develop the musical skill and knowledge of young people, by providing facilities and instruction in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment!

As well as musical developement "we provide key skills, life skills, world of work and a range of challenges which leads to accreditation. We want young people to achieve, we want them to be heard and we want to help them succeed."

Fundraiser Programme!

A programme for tomorrow's Charity Fundraiser concert.

Get Sorted's fundraiser concert is tomorrow so make sure you've got your tickets; £5 a ticket and £50 for a table for 10. Also please bring and donate any old mobile phones that you have hanging around - we can use them to raise funding for Get Sorted projects!

Get Sorted Schools programme

Get Sorted works closely with schools, providing a range of services. and are taking bookings for 2012.

Music education is extremely important as music helps with literacy, maths, science, history, geography and other areas of the curriculum as well as developing the creativity in children and young people. Music improves co-ordination, memory, motor skills as well as helping to develop social skills and leadership skills.

Whatever your musical needs let us help you find the solution. Get Sorted provides a local voice for music in education and in the community by providing a wide range of music and arts workshops and activities and by supporting schools that do not have professional musicians in-house.

All our staff are CRB checked, friendly and experienced and most importantly enjoy making music with children and young people.

Get Sorted on Youth Music Network

Get Sorted is now on the Youth Music Network.

Get Sorted is now registered on the brand new Youth Music Network, which hopefully will help us to raise awareness,create new funding and collaborative opportunities.

According to the Youth Music website, the Network will be the way that individuals and organisations can access the 'new funding model... entitled the Youth Music Programme' which was launched on 3rd November and is described as being "focused on developing high quality music provision for children and young people".

The Youth Music Network is an online community connecting anyone interested in music making with children and young people.

Free to join, the website is a space to share knowledge, collaborate and access information on Youth Music funding. You can also join in discussions, share your examples of good practice, network with like-minded individuals and find out what's going on in your area.

Youth Music Network aims to improve the lives of children and young people, by supporting users to enhance the quality and impact of their work.

Click here to see Get Sorted's Youth Music Network profile.

Get Sorted on BBC Sheffield

Luke Caley helped to promote this Get Sorted and Friday's Get Sorted fundraiser concert by speaking to BBC Sheffield's Steve White. 

BBC's Steve White

Get Sorted's own Glenn and Paul, and musician and student Luke Caley were on the BBC Radio Sheffield Steve White show on Saturday morning, talking about Get Sorted and promoting the fundraising event on the 11th November. 

Glenn and Paul discuss how Get Sorted started and what it does, and Luke gives a outline of how he got involved with Get Sorted and his musical ambitions.

Luke will be appearing at the Get Sorted concert this Friday, which is at the Niagara Police Social club, tickets are £5 and £50 for a table of 10!

Although you may haved missed the show, you can still hear the interview for the next 5 days. Click here to listen in. If you only want to here the interview fast forward the show to about 2hrs 40 mins - towards the end of the show.

1 week 'til Get Sorted Charity concert

With one week left until the Get Sorted Charity gig, it's time to but your tickets!!!

Over the last month we've been promoting the Get Sorted Fundraiser concert, with a number of posters and messages from Get Sorted Chairman Geoff Barnsley. The concert itself is described as "an evening of Rock 'n' Roll, Soul, Blues with The Davefest House Band. Ali Heath Cook, Blues Brother, Tribute, Vigilante, Bluesrite and much more."

Get Sorted are also asking for your old mobile phones - if you've got any old mobiles hanging around the place, please donate them to Get Sorted as we can convert them into much needed cash to keep funding our projects.

It is now a week away, and there are still a few tickets available; £5 each or you can reserve a table for 10 at £50. The night will be held at the Niagara Police Social Club in Hillsborough and will start at 8pm! Get in touch with Get Sorted by email (info@getsortedmusic.co.uk) or phone (01709 513 099) to book your places now!

Shop Local!

Shop Local is a scheme designed to save you money around Rotherham. Get Sorted is considering joining the scheme.

Get Sorted are considering joining the long list of shops and services that are taking advantage of the town centre scheme, which includes many different shops, stores and restaurants. If Get Sorted decide to participate in the scheme, there will be more information on the blog next week.  Get Sorted frequently have displays in the Rotherham Visitor Centre, so this scheme would help to promote us even more.

To get benefit from the 'Shop Local' scheme, you only have to complete a form to receive your card which "entitles you to offers, discounts and other incentives in over 60 shops and restaurants in Rotherham town centre."

"Look out for the Shop Local window sticker in participating businesses and ask what you’re entitled to as one of our loyal shoppers. Due to its massive success all Shop Local offers have been extended until further notice. However keep an eye on our website as businesses are bettering their offers every day from now until the end of February. Once the offers are finalised card holders will be issued with their new Shop Local loyalty card." 

Click here to fill in the online form click HERE to SIGN UP.

Get Sorted @ Fair's Fayre

On Thursday 27th October, Get Sorted got involved in the Fair's Fayre at Magna.

It was an event to raise awareness for local charities. Dave B and Dave T set up a stall to advertise the different activities Get Sorted provide. They got loads of interest from passing parents keen to encourage their children to take up music.

Dave and Dave performed two songs with the Reach Day Centre group that they work with on monday mornings. The performance  was in front of over 300 people and was met with a loud cheer and applause. Both Daves reflected on how good the day was and how thety are looking forward to the Fair's Fayre next year!

At this year's Fayre there were "over 100 stalls showcasing the services that are available to people with disabilities and carers in Rotherham" from "Knights, clowns, magicians, a planetarium, Punch and Judy, Rotherham United, slides, rides, music, dance, theatre, look a like competition and much more!"

Get Sorted back from Half Term.

Get Sorted is open! As Paul L said this morning, the Half Term break was nice but too short!

For the rest of the winter term until christmas it will be business as usual at Get Sorted. There'll be all the on-site activities and sessions as well as the off-site work at schools all over the borough!

In the run up to christmas, this might be the perfect time to start taking some one-to-one tuition on an instrument... maybe learn a few traditional christmas tunes and get yourself off carolling! 

If you are thinking of starting but haven't made your mind up, the Get Sorted 'Free Lesson' scheme might sway your decision... all you have to do is book four lessons! When you do so, you'll pay for three and get a voucher that entitles you to get the first lesson free!

To buy your voucher or for more information get in touch: info@getsortedmusic.co.uk - 01709 513 099

The Welly Boot through history!

The Wellington Boot, Inn - Get Sorted HQ - has been around for a long time, and recently the old deeds have been unearthed!

In a bundle of old papers lies the long history of the Wellington Boot Inn. Some of the records date back to the '13th year of the reign of King George II' - that's 1739! The building now standing was put up in 1903, but the site has always been home to 'The Welly'!

To put a bit of flesh on the bones of the building - the oldest publican for whom there are online records is Edward Milnes;

"...born in 1835 in Rotherham, Yorkshire. He married Emma Yates. Edward was employed as Stonegrate fitter 30 Mar 1851 - 7 Apr 1861. He resided on 30 Mar 1851 in Wellgate, Rotherham, Yorkshire. He resided on 7 Apr 1861 in 13, Radley Row, Wellgate, Rotherham, Yorkshire. He resided on 2 Apr 1871 in Rotherham, Yorkshire. He was employed as Fitter on 2 Apr 1871. He was employed as Publican on 3 Apr 1881. He resided on 3 Apr 1881 in Wellington Inn, 52, Westgate, Rotherham, Yorkshire."

Welly in 1965.

Another publican, Frances Wild, is mentioned in the General Directory of Sheffield, Rotherham 1856 who is also mentioned (as Francis Wilde) in R. Gell's General and Commercial Directory of Sheffield, June, 1825 as a victualler (traditionally a person who sells food or other provisions, similar to a grocer, and in particular British usage can be used to mean a person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages - wikipedia).

So next time you're in the 'Welly Boot', bear in  mind how long people have been passing through the same doors... and while they may have been coming for different reasons, you can be sure that the sound of music would've been ringing loud and proud!

G-Dott: This Is England - out now!

Recently 'Rotherham's finest' G-Dott recorded his new single 'This is England' at Get Sorted, and is now available online.

A few months ago we blogged about G-Dott's new single.

The track 'This is England' is supported by Thomas Turgoose (from the film This Is England) who attended the recording. The track highlights some of the issues facing young people growing up in tough environments.

The single itself is available from G-Dott's 'Songstall' site, where you can also pick up a copy of his album "The Unexpected".

The recording of the single, interviews with G-Dott and Thomas Turgoose talking about the single and their upbringing, was filmed by ITV and can be seen on You Tube.

Get Sorted Charity Fundraiser Concert

As the Get Sorted fundraiser concert draws nearer, Geoff Barnsley Get Sorted chairman sent round this update last week!

"Hi All,

 

You may remember that I circulated a note about a Charity Fundraiser that we are holding on Friday 11th of November. Attached is a poster promoting the event and below is a little blurb about the acts that are on (not written by me in case you think my ego is getting the better of me). Tickets are going extremely well and we will have a limit in the club so if you are planning to attend please let me know so I can reserve you tickets. They are £5 each or you can reserve a table for 10 at £50. Here is the blurb...

 

For anyone around Sheffield, you may be familiar with some of the artists. Ali Heath Cook is an established female vocalist who has been singing for so many years that she can't remember ! Over the years she has performed both in a solo capacity and in many local bands. Ali is a professional vocal tutor, renowned for her successes with her students, and is a part-owner of the Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield. Geoff Barnsley is a regular performer in and around Sheffield, his most recent outings being at The Greystones and Trippett's. Together with guitar virtuoso Chillo Angelini he heads up local band 'Vigilante', playing a selection of distinguished material from artists such as Ry Cooder, John Martyn, Dire Straits and Joe Cocker. 'Bluesrites' are father and sons act Danny, Todd and Sam, playing Rhythm'n'Blues classics spanning from the 1950's. We also have a short set from a Blues Brothers Tribute act. 

In addition some of the kids from Get Sorted will be performing a short set to show you what they can do. 

All in all, it should be a cracking night. I look forward to hearing from you, and hope that you can support this worthy cause. 

And as for the significance of the date, well this one "goes up to 11" as Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap once famously said... 

Please let me know if you would like to come as when we hit our limit we will have to stop selling tickets. 

Geoff!"

For more information about this concert please read the other blog posts by clicking HERE. More information can also be found on the concerts 'Facebook Event'

Get Sorted on 'Help in Hand'.

Get Sorted is on the Council's 'Local Arts Development and Support Groups' search directory and on the Help in Hand search directory.

There are many independent organisations supporting artists and arts development in Rotherham. Some key local artist and group support organisations can be found on Help in Hand. 

Help in Hand provides information on community groups, Adult Social Care, NHS Rotherham, Housing, Safeguarding, Environmental and Development Services, Leisure, Transport and Voluntary and Community Sector in and around Rotherham. Each entry contains general information about the organisation, along with contact details. 

You can search the whole of the Help in Hand database by keyword or subject and you can enter your postcode to find groups close to you. 

Here's what they say about Get Sorted in the 'Local Arts Development and Support Group' directory:

"Get Sorted has provided quality music and arts tuition for over fifteen years for the people of Rotherham, and is a highly recognised charity providing a wide range of services including 1-1 tuition in guitar, bass, drums, vocal coaching, brass, woodwind and strings as well as providing a range of music clubs for children and young people.  Clubs include: dance, fit ball, art and crafts, performing arts, singing together, song writing, animation, rapping, junior jam band, film making etc."

 

Scoundrel release 1st album!

Young local Band "SCOUNDREL" release their first album on CD and MP3.

Three of the band are brothers, whose father is a Get Sorted trustees. Scoundrel have produced their album by themselves, from production to artwork and now they are looking forward to doing a local tour and are wanting exposure on regional radio.

This is what their bigraphy - taken from their website - says about them:

Scoundrel are a four-piece indie band from Sheffield consisting of Luke, Joe, Daviyd and Kaleb - Three of whom are brothers. 

They have been together since January 2011, and have since recorded their debut album in their home studio. The album has been put together solely by the band - from the mixing and mastering, down to the artwork – it was all done by the lads. Now that the album is complete, and they have many local gigs under their belt, the band are ready to get out and onto the Music scene.

They have played many gigs around Sheffield, and have played at venues like O2 Academy, The Plug, Boardwalk (now closed), Abbey road Picture House, and they also played at Sheffield’s free festival; Tramlines. They have also gained airtime on radio stations such as BBC Radio Sheffield and community radio station, Redroad.

Scoundrel are making energetic, catchy, and honest music and are enjoying every second of it. They are often compared to bands like The Wombats and Vampire Weekend. To quote "Scoundrel have a rawness that isn't harsh or in your face, but gives a shining example of the talented young people Sheffield holds.”- Sheffield Music Scene.

You can get hold of their album from their 'Big Cartel' site or you can have a listen to it on Spotify! Also, get down to their album launch event at The Plug, 26th November, Doors at10:30 pm (Price: £5.00 / Booking fee: £1.00 / Age: 14+).

Get Sorted Half Term break!

Get Sorted close for a few days next week for Half Term.

Get Sorted will be closed from Wednesday 26th reopening on Monday 31st October for the half term break. We'll still be open on Monday and Tuesday for normal 'one-to-one' music lessons.

Also on Tuesday, we'll be holding a Multimedia workshop for anyone to join. Running from 10 until 3, the workshops will include a range of activities based around multimedia. There are still places available,so anyone interested in taking part should get in touch either by email (info@getsortedmusic.co.uk) or by phone (01709 513 099).

During the week we'll also be doing a little more refurbishment to the offices - giving them a lick of paint, so it'll be nice a fresh for when normal activities resume on Monday 31st October!

Summer Activities pop video!

A short pop video made using footage from the Get Sorted Summer Activities!

Over the summer Get Sorted held a series of different workshops. Here is a video, put together by the Get Sorted staff, of some of the young people who took part in the workshops. Please check out the Get Sorted YouTube channel for more vids!

Get Sorted Fundraiser Concert

A quick message from Geoff Barnsley - Chairman of Get sorted - about the Charity fundarising concert at Niagara Police Social Club - Hillsborough on the 11th of November!

"Hi All

You may not be aware but I am the Chairman of a charity in Rotherham called Get Sorted. I don’t do a lot but they do loads. In a nutshell they help disadvantaged kids back into learning through music - they literally save the lives of young people with guitars its very humbling.

Well thanks to the enthusiasm of some musical mates we are planning a big musical night to raise money for Get Sorted. This will take place on Friday, 11th of November at the Niagra club at Hillsborough. It will be a night of live music and even a bit of comedy, raffles and a cast of 1000s all based on good old rock, roll, blues and soul – music how it used to be, throw those IPODS away for the night.

It will be £5 per ticket, £50 to reserve a table of 10 for you and your mates, all money will go to the charity. All those mates who say they love live music but never go and see it can find out what talent there is out there, you might just have to persuade them.

We are not sure what the running order will be but there will be a tight house band (visitors to Davefest will know how good they are), Vigilante (in some form) will have a set, a Blues Brothers look alike session, Danny Wrights Bluesrites and more. There will be a big Jam at the end when all your favourites will be brought to life.

As the running order becomes clearer I’ll let you know. Tickets will be sold in advance so let me know if you want me to reserve you tickets or ideally a table.

Rock & Roll

Geoff"

To purchase your tickets get in touch with Get Sorted through the usual means!

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Paul Hamlyn Foundation awarded Get Sorted funding in 2007-2008.

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation awarded funding to Get Sorted for “core funding to build capacity by creating an arts and learning manager post and training existing staff in a three-year transition period” and this is reported in the Foundations 2007-2008 report.

 The training was aimed at diversifying each tutors range of skills so that anyone of them could teach any instrument to a certain standard. Also the foundation helped fund a series of team building activities.

Another important outcome of the funding was the development of the Get Sorted IT infrastructure. Databases and tracking systems for pupils, schools and tutors were developed which help Get Sorted keep track of how many young people and institutions use our services.

But perhaps the most important outcome of the funding was that it allowed Genya – Get Sorted Guru and Executive Director – pass some of the management workload over to a dedicated project manager, Graham, which allowed the project to grow and become fully developed.

Get Sorted ACL sessions.

Get Sorted do regular work with Adult and Community Learners. Paul Hopewell is a particpant.

Paul Hopewell started attending Get Sorted's ACL sessions over a year ago, and has been learning DJ-ing and MC-ing skills as well as learning how to use the REASON recording programme and about music technology in general... although "I'd still like to learn more" says he!

Paul is one of 8 people who have been coming to Get Sorted, all studying the same thing and all have becoming good friends since. As Paul says, the ACL sessions are not all about learning, they are about "building a good group dynamic".

About his plans for the future, while he would like to perform, he says he'd prefer to produce and 'work behind the scenes'. Paul says he would like to help people learn about music, and that if it weren't for the ACL sessions he'd "be at home watching Coronation Street - I've not got a bad word to say!"

Get Sorted's very popular ACL sessions still have limited spaces at £3 a sessions (that's £1.50 an hour) per person. Please get in touch on 01709 513 099 or email info@getsortedmusic.co.uk

ASDAN PSD certificates for Learning Centre Students.

20 young people from the Get Sorted Learning Centre have achieved a certificate in ASDAN PSD.

20 youn people, 15 male and 5 female, have recieved their Entry 3 ASDAN PSD (Personal and Social Development) certificates. Working in the Learning Centre - or the Shed, as it is known - young people have been working towards a qualification designed to help the student in "becoming confident individuals who are physically, emotionally and socially healthy, being responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society and embrace change and managing risk together with their own wellbeing.

The Year 11 'Sheddies' will be using the qualificationas a stepping stone to go on to college and the younger students will be progressing to PSD Level 1.

All the Learning Centre Staff would like to congratualte all the students for their hard work and achievement!

ASDAN is a charitable social enterprise with awarding body status, providing courses to more than 6,000 UK and international schools, colleges, youth centres and training providers. ASDAN’s programmes and qualifications offer flexible ways to accredit skills for learning, skills for employment and skills for life.

Get Sorted fundraiser concert!

Get Sorted is holding a fundraising concert on Friday 11th November at the Niagara Police Social Club! Tickets are £5 advance!

Please help raise funds for Get Sorted by attending this event which will feature many great acts - Including Luke Caley! Please click on the poster above for the link to the facebook event!

Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival

This summer Dave B went to the world famous Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival in France.

"In June, I visited Samois-sur-Seine, just outside Paris, to see the annual Django Reinhardt Festival. The atmosphere was incredible; the festival contained just onebig stage that held many different Gypsy Jazz acts over the weekend.

The people there all shared the same love - Music! In the food area, there were groups of people sat around laughing, talking and playing music. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in guitar music to visit Samois and see the place where Django Reinhardt lived."

Django Reinhardt (pronounced 'jango raynhart'), born to a family of Manouche gypsies, was a pioneering virtuoso jazz guitarist and composer who invented an entirely new style of jazz guitar technique (sometimes called 'hot' jazz guitar) that has since become a living musical tradition within French gypsy culture, and an internationally loved musical genre!

In 1968, on the 15th anniversary of Django’s death, the Samois Festival first came into being.This was a tribute to his memory organised by the so-called “Association des Amis de Samois”. A few years later the Django Reinhardt Festival Association had become a permanent fixture... 

This year fetured the likes of George Benson and Goran Bregovic so look forward to next years line-up and go visit this amazing festival!

The Get Sorted Fire Officer

Dave B is Get Sorted's newly qualified Fire Officer!

"I recently took over the role of the Get Sorted Fire Office. It involved training for fire safety and regularly checking the alarm system. The training was fun, involving letting off a fire extinguisher and alarms!"

Dave goes on to say, "Now that I have this new role, I just hope that Get Sorted aren't thinking of 'Firing' me!"

As the picture shows, you are all in safe hands!

Get Sorted Charity Fundraiser

On Friday 11th November there will be a charity fundraising concert for Get Sorted at the Niagara Police Social Club, Hillsborough. Starting at 8pm, £5 for advance tickets it will be ‘an evening of rock ‘n’ roll, soul and blues. 

One of the acts performing will be Luke Caley, 25. Luke has been coming down to Get Sorted for about 8 years, taking lessons in Music Theory, Guitar and Singing. Luke will be performing a few songs, including a couple of his own. 

To date, this will be Luke’s biggest show and when asked if he was nervous the reply came; “It’s all part and parcel of wanting to play music live – you’ve just gotta get up there and do it!” 

As for his musical career, he says he - hopefully - wants to try to make a living from music, teaching and playing. But, also, he wants to get involved helping at Get Sorted. Luke wants to help people who have similar problems as he did… when he first came to Get Sorted he was – in his own words – ‘fresh outta rehab’. Luke wants to help people build their self confidence and their positivity, helping people in all kinds of tough situations to work their way through them – help change their lives through music!

So, keep your eyes open for more details about the gig, but yourself a ticket, and come and see Luke please the crowds!

Get Sorted in Rotherham Visitor Centre

Get Sorted frequently have a display in the Rotherham Visitor Centre.

If you have been out and about in town last week you may have noticed that Get Sorted's display in the Rotherham Vistor Centre window.We would like to thank the Centre for giving us the space and look forward to them having us back!
 
Get Sorted frequently have display in  Rotherham's Visitor Centre on All Saints' Square, and hopefully we'll have another display up in 6 weeks or so. The display promotes our one-to-one music lessons, the Get Sorted 'free lesson' and the Get Sorted in General.

With Get Sorted's one-to-one music tuition your personal tutor will work to your strengths and help you explore your hidden potential. Once you have mastered the basic techniques, just choose the styles you want to develop and your tutor will support you. Compose your own music, work towards an exam or learn for pleasure and enjoyment. Want to learn to play your favourite songs, bring them with you and you'll soon be playing or singing along with them.

And, if you book four lessons, you can pick up a voucher that entitles you to claim a full refund on your first music lesson!

Social Cohesion summer sessions on film!

Video from Get Sorted Summer Activities!

Over the summer Get Sorted held a series of workshops aimed at 'Social Cohesion' of young people in Rotherham. Each session was a well attended, and as such, the workshop programme was a sucess. Here is a video recently produced documenting some of the activities that took place! More Get Sorted videos can be found at our YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/GetSortedMusic

For more stories on the Get Sorted Summer Activities please click here.

Fallen trees and Xrayhorse!

Fallen Trees - a band featuring Get Sorted staff - are represented by XRAYHORSE agency.

Xrayhorse are an 'independant live music and booking agents' booking and promoting shows in Sheffield, Leeds and London and Fallen Trees are on their books! Here's their XRAYHORSE profile! 

FALLEN TREES - Glenn Moss / Paul Littlewood / Dave Timmons

Influences: NEIL YOUNG / JOY DIVISION / HOWLIN’ WOLF /UNKLE /PORTISHEAD / RADIOHEAD 

‘Fallen Trees – super intense, bold rockers’ Sheffield Telegraph

‘A serious proposition, they smack of a sedentary New Order at times, voiced by a gruff Eddie Vedder….this bag of dramatic noise belongs at the top of a bill’ TOAST Magazine 

‘.. a sound constructed from the experimental influences of early 70’s super groups and fronted by Paul Littlewood whose voice seemed reminiscent of a latter-day Joe Cocker….Piles of demented keyboard playing, inexplicable sound effects, some cool but dazzling guitar solos all backed by sh*t kicking drums.’ The Sheffield Scenester 

'For me the band does have an incredible post-rock meets Pearl Jam aura. Some roaring guitar riffs give the mental image of Jimmy Page playing through Greenwood’s guitar rack, most rock bands shy away from the ‘frivolities’ of delay and crazy EQs but guitarist Paul Littlewood has nailed it. Glenn Moss, on an array of analog synths, helps to create something dirty and perfectly dissonant. And that is the key to the group’s music, all of the epic and complex sound design of a band like This Will Destroy You, or Vessels, but with the driving nature of a pissed-off Seattle grunge band. It works perfectly, and incredibly they’re not from Seattle. Completing the line-up, by the way, is Dave Timmons, who does deserve a name check as his drumming helps cement this as a great album for all alt rock fans.' Rich Beech, Electric Ghost Agent 

Contact – Matt Jones matt@xrayhorse.co.uk 

www.myspace.com/fallentreesband www.youtube.com/user/FallenTreesTV

Hi-watt donate amps to Get Sorted

Hiwatt is 'the classic British Rock 'n' Roll Amplifier' and now has donated equipment to Get Sorted! 

Hiwatt have kindly provided us with 2 guitar amplifiers for our sponsorship to encourage young people to learn about music and musical instruments. Hiwatt provide amplifiers and technical support to many famous bands such as Coldplay, The Killers, The Enemy and Arctic Monkeys and we are proud and grateful for the support of this great brand!

Below is a link to the amps provided!

Evil Dave Industries

Get Sorted has been around for years - changing lives through music - and many interesting people have passed through the doors. Here is a quick look at an old Get Sorted employee 'Evil' Dave White! 

Back in the lates 90's and early 00's, Dave White used to be work as Soundman and promoter for the Wellington Boot! Back in those days Get Sorted was based across the road, ands the Welly was a pub. Every Tuesday about 100 young people used to descend on the Welly to witness some of the UK's best touring bands... and Dave would be at the helm, channeling their sounds through the PA system! 

Nowadays, Dave is a Guitar tech for Kasabian (he also occasionally stands in for the band; recently he had to stand in on Guitar playing to thousands when Kasabian supported U2), but he has worked for many top acts including Tinnie Tempah, Bloc Party and Duff Mckagan.

Here are a few questions from his website FAQ - not all of which is overly serious! 

Q: Can you get me a job doing what you do? 

A: If you've never done anything remotely like it before then no.

Q: Can I have a free ticket for a show you may or may not be working at? 

A: No. 

Q: Why do they call you Evil Dave? 

A: A child asked me for an autograph and I told him to go away. 

Q: How did you get into this business? 

A: I got drunk at a party and had a driving licence.

You can keep up with all Dave's movements by following his blog - http://evildaveindustries.blogspot.com/

Rotherham charity funding boost to help teens 'get sorted' with numeracy

Britannia, the Co-operative Financial Services, recently made a donation to Get Sorted to help young people develop their basic skills! Here is the article about the donations taken from the Co-op's own website!

A Rotherham charity has received a funding boost of almost £9,500 from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to launch a new programme to boost numeracy and literacy skills of young people in the town.

The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, will enable Get Sorted Music to initially reach around 80 young people, using song writing skills, rap music, poems and counting beats to engage under 19 year-olds in its creative and innovative education programme.

Figures show that at the end of 2010, over 12 per cent of 18-year-olds were not in education, employment or training*.

Graham Sutherland, project manager at Get Sorted Music, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our application to Britannia’s charitable Foundation, we are always exploring new ways to challenge and engage our students and, we are all excited about the launch of our numeracy and literacy programme in the new academic year - it will reach across communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with hard to reach young people who, we hope, will then move on to other forms of education and accredited courses.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation is one way the member-owned financial services provider gives back to the communities it serves. Elaine Clews, manager of Britannia’s charitable Foundation, added: “Developing literacy and numeracy skills underpins everyday activities and, can lay strong foundations for good financial capability and money management in later life.

“Britannia is very much a community business itself and, through its charitable Foundation, can make real and lasting differences to local communities and it is delighted to have been able to support the initiatives of Get Sorted Music designed to raise levels of enthusiasm, confidence and understanding in this key area.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation welcomes applications from other voluntary groups, charities and schools - it supports projects to promote improvements to education, with a particular focus on numeracy and financial capability.

For further information about Britannia’s charitable Foundation, visit any Britannia branch, go to www.britannia.co.uk or, call Elaine Clews, Britannia’s charitable Foundation Manager, on 01538 391806.

Get Sorted and NEETs!

Get Sorted work closely with young people 'not in education, employment or training' (NEETs), helping them develop their basic education and other key life skills. Here is a story from Paul L!

"We had a great afternoon on Thursday, when Neil Rhodes came into our Multimedia department needing a C.V. completing for use at the Job Centre. We have been looking at how to complete C.V.s in our NEET sessions on a Monday afternoon and it was fantastic that Neil felt that he could come to us and access this service that we offer!"

Get Sorted firmly believes in personalised, individual learning. We know that young people will reach their full potential when they have their individual needs met. This can include education as well as pastoral care and support. We can help them with college applications, interviewing techniques, helping them to find work and filling in job applications

Meet a member of the Get Sorted 'Family'!

Dave B writes here about Jay, who started at Get Sorted as a volunteer but who is now, about 6 months on, is a Get Sorted Session Worker!

Jay (third from right) with some of his learners!

Jay has been at Get Sorted for 7 months, starting out as technical support and has since become a solid member of the crew, specialising in Graphic Design sessions and school activities"

In Jay's own words; "I was nervous and shy when I first got here but, because of the warm and friendly staff, I now feel like part of the family. Get Sorted has helped me as much as I've helped Get Sorted. I find the work very rewarding and I encourage anyone who has an interest in Graphic Design or Music to come down and give it a try!"

Jay has proved himself to be a loyal and versatile member of staff who has a very bright future at Get Sorted!

Volunteers are welcome at Get Sorted as we are always looking for volunteers who care about young people, enjoy music and the arts and want to gain experience in the voluntary sector. For those who complete their voluntary hours, there are opportunities to stay with the project as a volunteer or train to be a mentor, session worker or in some cases an employee... like Jay! So if you do have a set of special skills like Jay, and want to volunteer at Get Sorted, get in touch.

Meeting Thomas Turgoose

Last week Thomas Turgoose, star of "This is England", came to Get Sorted to help promote a charity single recorded by G-Dott. Here are a few words from Get Sorted's Glenn Moss...

"I met Thomas when he came to Get Sorted to promote a charity single for local rapper Guy Lawther AKA G Dott. Guy has attended many sessions at Get Sorted where we have helped him develop his skills as a rapper and producer.

Guy had the inititative to contact the entire cast of "This is England" to see if they would help him promote his single and was rewarded for his efforts when main star Thomas Turgoose kindly agreed to help lend a hand.

We were happy to host Calender news, who came to interview Guy, and he featured on the show on Friday16th September."

Having a high profile celebrity, who realised the importance of working with young people, helping them develop and achieve their aspirations, was really good for all down at Get Sorted and all were glad to have him!