Vote for Brum Rocks!

19 May, 2023

Our co-director, Rob Jones, also works for Misfits Music, a community music charity that works across Birmingham and the Black Country. They've been selected for voting, for the People's Projects - a chance to win almost £70,000 to run Brum Rocks, a city-wide rock music project that will get people from all over the area to get involved in rock music. What does Rob Jones have to say about it?

'You are a director of Bertz associates, what do you value about the work we do?'

I love that Bertz Associates is all about highlighting the voices of real people through the arts. We are all about uncovering communities and stories that mean the most to the people that live in Birmingham and this is something that can't be undervalued. I love that we give real agency to young people, giving them the opportunity to be creative, tell their stories and produce amazing work.

'What is your own practice?' 

I'm a composer and saxophone player turned community musician. I see real value in getting real people involved in music, especially when it can seem like a daunting and difficult place to enter. I love working with artists to design projects that will break down barrier to music, getting people to realise that music will make them feel great, meet new people and provide a lifelong hobby. 

'What made you start Misfits?'

I started Misfits Music in 2018 with Reuben after realising that there were so few opportunities locally for people to come together to make music in a non-judgemental and friendly environment. Our first group, the Moseley Misfits is still going strong but we now also enjoy providing sessions for adults and adults with learning disabilities that play all instruments and/or sing. 

'Tell us about Brum Rocks.'

Brum Rocks is our proposed "People's Project", which will see 3 groups awarded up to £70k to run a community project which matters to people in The West Midlands. Our project will expand on our successful "Rock Collectives", encouraging people with an interest in rock music as a singer or player to get involved and make music. Over 12 months we want to run workshops across Birmingham and Sandwell, culminating in a final event with 1,000 people in Birmingham in 2024. We care about music making including as many people as possible, so no matter your background or skill level you'll have a home in our Brum Rocks Project.