Today, the Walton Academy theatre came alive with the rhythms and beats of Beatboxing Live. This innovative programme, a collaboration between Lincolnshire Music Service, The Noise Academy UK, and Peachy Events, was live-streamed to over 120 primary and secondary schools across Lincolnshire, making it an inclusive and far-reaching educational experience.
In the morning, we welcomed a group of enthusiastic year 5 pupils and their teachers from West Grantham Church of England Academy and Huntingtower Community Primary Academy. The afternoon session saw members of the Bugsy Malone cast from this year’s annual show taking part. They had the unique opportunity to learn from professional rapper Leon Rhymes and renowned beatboxer Mikeybeats. The talented duo not only showcased their impressive rap and beatbox skills but also engaged the students in interactive workshops, teaching them the fundamentals of beatboxing in hip hop and drum and bass styles.
Mr Slepowronski, Walton Academy’s arts coordinator, shared his thoughts on the event: “It has been a pleasure to once again invite the Beatboxing Live team to the Walton Theatre, for what we hope will become an exciting, annual event in our enrichment calendar. Key to the success of such events is the effective collaboration between the key partners, Lincolnshire Music Service, Noise Academy UK, and Peachy Events, as well as the positive engagement of the visiting primary schools and members of our own KS3 and 4 student body. Mr Bridge and I continue to provide opportunities for the student technical theatre team to gain valuable experience on industry-standard events such as Beatboxing Live, and it has been a joy to witness their maturity and professionalism in this new and challenging environment. Thank you to everyone involved in Beatboxing Live for bringing this unique event to the Walton Theatre.”
The feedback from participants and schools was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the unique learning experience. Special thanks go to Mr Slepowronski for organising the event and to arts technician Mr Bridge for his invaluable support.
Looking ahead, Walton Academy is excited to host more events that connect its students with local primary schools, fostering artistic growth and community involvement. Beatboxing Live has set a high standard for future collaborations, and the academy is eager to build on this success.