The £666,000 two year programme will get young people involved in making music and provide 1:1 and group mentoring sessions with peers, musicians and the music industry.
It will run across 14 English regions: Birmingham; Bradford; Bristol; Camden; Hackney; Kingston-upon-Hull; Leeds; Liverpool; Manchester; Newham; Nottingham; Sandwell; Southwark; Tower Hamlets.
The Music Mentoring Programme will include:
- 1:1 mentoring of young people by local adults (including a diverse range of musicians involved in different types of music making)
- Small group tutoring sessions on specific topics relating to music making, progression routes in music industry etc.
- 1:1 tuition for children and young people by older teens, and
- Specialist input by established, well known musicians and others successfully employed in creative and cultural industries
Speaking at the launch in East London tonight, Tessa Jowell said:
“Youth Music gives young people the chance to shape and create their own work, and provides them with a platform to share ideas and talent. This is why I have asked them to deliver a mentoring programme across 14 areas of England with respect and the young person at the centre. I look forward to seeing - and hearing - the impact of the programme on the lives of young people across the country.
“The creativity of making and performing music can have such a powerful impact in raising ambition, giving a sense of purpose, confidence and self-respect, and for young people who lack this sense of themselves, I know that Youth Music’s mentoring will make a real difference. “
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Christina Coker OBE, Youth Music Chief Executive, commented:
“There is a view that individuals and groups of young people are perceived to be a particular problem, and for some a threat, in communities up and down the country. However, the incredible work that Youth Music Action Zones are achieving in 24 areas of social and economic need across England and Wales indicates just how much young people can accomplish when provided with quality activities and progression routes.
I am delighted that the DCMS have provided Youth Music with the support necessary to develop a national mentoring programme that will allow young people to define and reclaim respect for themselves, other people and the environment in which they live. Youth Music wants these participants to raise aspirations and turn some of the perceived negatives about young people into positives.”
Louise Casey, the Government Co-ordinator for Respect, said:
"This mentoring programme is an excellent example of how we can work together across Government and with the voluntary sector to provide young people with interesting and exciting activities that benefit not only themselves but also the wider community.
The launch showcased the work and achievements of young participants from two Youth Music Action Zones (London and Thanet) and Thanet Youth Music group, Pie Factory Music, showed their potential with the launch of their debut album.
Press contacts:
Fiona Cameron
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
T: 020 7211 6266/07947 797740
Out of hours: 07699 751153 E: fiona.cameron@culture.gsi.gov.uk
Dulcie Ireland
Youth Music, T: 0207902 1087 E: dulcie.ireland@youthmusic.org.uk
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Notes to Editors:
1. Launch event:
Date: Wednesday 1 Novemeber
Time: 19:00 - 20:15 (Speeches 19.30)
Venue: THE SPACE, 269 WEST FERRY ROAD, LONDON, E14 3RS
Keynote Speakers:
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Christina Coker, Chief Executive of Youth Music
Panel discussion:
‘What respect means to young people’, involving young people, music leaders and Neil Watson from the Government’s Respect Task Force
Launch of debut album by Thanet Youth Music group ‘Pie Factory Music’
Performances by young people from two of the Youth Music Action Zones – Sound Connections in London and Pie Factory Music in Kent
2. Youth Music was set up in 1999 with £10m a year of Lottery funding received through Arts Council England. It funds and facilitates high quality and diverse music making for young people, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need and geographical isolation. Youth Music reached 1.5million children and young people in its first five years. By 2010, Youth Music aims to have reached 3 million children and young people in a UK-wide strategy to support youth music making. For further information visit www.youthmusic.org.uk
3. Since December 2000, Youth Music has set up 24 Action Zones in areas of social and economic need and geographical isolation across England and Wales. The aim is to provide music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. The Zones are made up of established organisations from the public, voluntary and private sector. They cover all genres of music and deliver a wide range of activities including workshops, rehearsals, performances, one-to-one teaching and mentoring.