THE power of music is helping to heal, uplift and enlighten people in Solihull thanks to a grant from the National Lottery.
Black Train Music CIC is using a £9,828 National Lottery funding to put on fortnightly free live music performances and a weekly listening project at the Three Trees Centre in Hedingham Grove, Chelmsley Wood.
Behind it all is musician, pianist, composer and conductor Kris Chase-Byrne who is on a mission to bring as much high quality music as possible to the area he lives in.
“We run two different programmes,” said Kris.
“We have a fortnightly free live music performance, each one featuring a different musician.
“We’ve had a classical guitarist, a quartet, and last week a performance by a harpist where we explored music as a meditation and mindfulness tool.”
Kris also runs a ‘listening project’ which again is a free drop in session, where people bring in their favourite pieces of music, which then leads to a discussion on moods and the impact listening to it makes on people.
“Music is a really powerful thing and it’s what we do to promote well being,” said Kris.
“What does a particular piece of music make you think about, what images does it conjure?”
The former teacher makes full use of links he has with Birmingham Conservatoire enabling him to introduce people to a complete range of musical styles.
“It’s about bringing adults together as well as giving people the opportunity to hear music they might not have come across before.
“I have made it my mission to bring as much high quality music as possible to the area.”
Outside of the lottery funded programme Kris also runs two singing groups for young people including a choir for 12 to 18 year olds.
“We support various other groups in the centre, helping people to come out of the pandemic and put their lives back together again.”
The fortnightly live music sessions are at 2pm on alternate Thursdays.
The Listening Project is on Mondays and alternates between 1.30pm and 7.30pm.
No referral is needed, just go along.
For more information, and to hear Kris play on his weekly lockdown concert sessions, visit Black Train Music CIC on social media.
