Northumberland pupils perform to an audience of thousands in Berlin.

Creative Partnerships Northumberland undertook an extensive survey of students and teachers before comencing any work with the county's schools. The results of this survey suggested that although students had ambitious dreams they consistently reported that they felt they would be unlikely to attain them. The primary reason was that they lived in Northumberland.

Pe Na Rua (Feet on the street) aims to illustrate the rich internationally celebrated cultures of Brasil and investigate through Citizenship the poverty and deprivation that has given birth to them. The project will draw comparisons between North East Brasil and North East England and attempt to build confidence through participation.

The initial project was devised by Brendan Murphy of 'Principle Three'. Brendan specialises in tuned and untuned percussion and says he is a student of the art form. Other partners include Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick Garden, Portuguese, Brasilian, British and European percussionists and dancers based in the region along with Estrela, a North East based organisation with links to North East Brasil. The outline programme was launched in spring 2007 and the detailed curriculum linked projects for each school have been devised in collaboration with teachers and students in those schools.

The project will culminate in a summer school open to students and their families in August 2007 followed by a show at Alnwick Playhouse and a parade from the town to Alnwick Garden over the August Bank Holiday.

The Berlin carnival event was a test of stamina for teachers and students alike with rehearsals lasting four hours at a time in sweltering temperatures and the actual parade more than five hours.

Some of the participants had been involved in the Anthem for Northumberland project in 2006. One former student composer is now working as a music leader on this project.

There are a number of opportunities for young participants in this project to continue learning more about Capoiera, Brasilan dance and percussion in the region with existing organisations after August. The project is making links to these organisations.