Ward 5, Phase 1, If You Had the Magic Wand
I like concerts. I loved your concert. I’m no’ just saying because you’re asking me. I don’t get the chance to do anything like that. I could never afford to go to anything like that.
As part of Glasgow Life’s Creative Communities Artists in Residence programme for Ward 5, Govan, The Glasgow Barons Artistic Director, Paul MacAlindin, delivered If You Had the Magic Wand, a participatory project using music.
During the residency, Paul interviewed 169 people who live, work, or use services in Govan, asking them what arts and culture could mean for their community. These conversations took place at Glasgow Barons concerts and specially curated events, including Musicians in Exile, where asylum seekers and refugees shared music from their home cultures.
Known for his community-focused orchestral work, Paul often handed the conductor’s baton to residents, asking, ‘If you had the magic wand, what would you do for Govan?’ This question offered an invitation to imagine change through creativity. The project created space for voices rarely heard, gathering hopes and ideas through music, dialogue, and shared cultural experience.
A special thanks to community partners, supporters and contributors: The Hub, The Digital Hub | Fairfield Working Men’s Club (The Air In Between) | Friends of Elder Park | Govan Community Project Men’s Group Govan Community Project TEFL course | Govan and Linthouse Parish Church (St John Passion) Govan Allsorts Choir | The Govanites: Govan Housing Association Women’s Group Govan High Music Dept | Govan Men’s Shed | Govan Road spontaneous interviews | Govan Youth Information Project: Riverside Campus | Govan Youth Information Project: Riverside Hall Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council | Govan Community Council | Musicians in Exile (April gig) Kinning Park Complex café | Pirie Park Primary (school concert) Plantation Productions Youth Group & Staff | Scottish Action for Refugees TEFL Classes Sensatronics Lab.
