We’re delighted to announce that Take it away has joined forces with the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, to bring you an exciting new campaign, and you can get involved today!

‘Practice-a-thon Music with Take it away’ is an interactive initiative that aims to raise money for children with cancer, by encouraging people to take part in a sponsored music practice.  Anyone can take part, no matter what instrument they play, or what their ability. You can join in on your own or with your band or group - the idea is simply to have fun making music, and to raise money for a good cause at the same time.

To help you on your way, we’ve commissioned five exclusive music tutorials which you can download for free when you register. The exclusive tracks are Take That’s ‘Back for Good’, Motown classic ‘Heard it Through The Grapevine’, Snow Patrol’s hit single ‘Run’, legendary Oasis hit ‘Wonderwall, and for the rockers, Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’.

The tracks have been produced by Show Me How To Play, who specialise in online music tuition with the use of their unique ‘multiplayer’ software. This teaches individual instrument parts over four windows on your screen, allowing you to learn your own part and play along with the whole band. Players will also be able to download the tab or score for the music, as well as learn by watching the tracks being played by experienced musicians.

Music stars Russell Watson, Gary Barlow, Jamie Cullum, Nicola Benedetti, and rising star Dani Harmer (aka Tracy Beaker), are all backing the campaign, urging everyone to play their part.

International singing sensation, Russell Watson said of the campaign:

“Making music has given me a focus, enormous enjoyment and has got me through some very dark times.  I’m best known as a singer and consider the voice to be an instrument that requires plenty of practice, but I think it’s fair to say that having tried to play guitar, that will certainly require a lot more practice for me!  Roll on Practice-a-thon!  I’m playing my part and I’m delighted to be raising money for children with cancer in the process.”

Mary-Alice Stack of Arts Council England added: “We want Practice-a-thon to inspire people of all abilities to pick up their instruments and practise, play or perform for a great cause!”

Sign up now at www.clicsargent.org.uk/music and play your part in raising money for children with cancer.