Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe

Hal Leonard Europe is part of the Hal Leonard group of companies - the world’s largest source of music publications, representing many of the world’s best-known and most respected publishers, artists, songwriters, arrangers and instrument manufacturers. Hal Leonard Europe publishes and distributes an extensive catalogue of printed and digital sheet music products, music education resources, instruments, gear, software and accessories around the world. 

In addition to Hal Leonard’s global office and distribution centres in the USA and Australia, Hal Leonard Europe has either offices or distribution centres in eight European locations in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The Words Not Weapons - Mavericks Project has been running since 2011. Initially, the project came about to help resolve rising tensions in rival communities. Young people were making violent threats and using weapons to incite fear. The main protagonists were brought together by Music Fusion. They decided they wanted to make an album with some VIP artists, with the aim being to take weapons out of young people's hands.

Music Fusion are now on their 5th version of Words Not Weapons this year. Throughout lockdown, all their young artists have been writing, producing and recording, working towards a double album at the end of the year. During Mavericks sessions, people get to mix with others from different backgrounds, walks of life, religious and political beliefs that they might not have had the chance to, or even wanted to before.

Hailing from West-London, 24-year-old Marshall Mandiangu is a singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer and energetic live performer. The murder of George Floyd inspired him to create a proposal uniting the entire Brighton scene to come together for what became the "Unapologetically Black" album. Created in two weeks, this was his way of being able to protest through music.

The album was released on Juneteenth (commemorating the day that black slaves were made free). He, along with the featured performers on the album raised money which was donated to The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, Black Girls Code and Black Aids.

The Beat Loop project runs weekly music sessions for looked after children, using live loops, iPads, keyboards, Boom Dang drums, and a mobile recording studio. The music sessions take place in residential homes for young people aged 10-18, in Whitehaven, Barrow-in-Furness and Kendal.

The young people they work with have had lots of upset and trauma in their lives. Coming from unstable environments, facing fear and neglect, the project is all about allowing the young people to enjoy a positive experience. Through teaching a new skill, they hope to inspire the young people they work with to take the skills they have learned with them into other parts of their lives.

Learn more about the winner and nominees for the 2019 Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe.