Build a team with rhythm (From Oxford Mail)

Build a team with rhythm

A group of teenage entrepreneurs are hoping their fledgling business hits a high note.

Anna Lapwood and Rebecca Anthony at a BodyBeats session

Opus, a Young Enterprise company based at Oxford High School, in Belbroughton Road, offers a range of programmes designed to give musical inspiration to groups in schools, churches and businesses — without the use of instruments.

BodyBeats involves clapping and clicking to make percussion sounds, while HumBeats is a multi-vocal workshop allowing even those who think they can’t sing the opportunity of performing in an “orchestra”.

Joint managing director Anna Lapwood, 16, said: “When we put our company together, we discovered we shared a lot of musical talent and we developed the programmes.

“Taking part provides a sense of achievement, builds confidence in a group and sessions can be learned very quickly.”

The 11-strong company, formed last year as part of Young Enterprise which encourages school pupils to set up and run businesses, is now in the process of contacting schools and churches, while also helping businesses with quick and easy team building.

And anyone who wants to develop their new-found interest in music further can sign up for TuneBites, which offers taster sessions in musical instruments.

For details, see opusoxford.com