Thank you, Youth Music!

A thank you to Youth Music

As our two-year project draws to a close, the project leaders and young people involved in the Weardale Musical Outreach project wanted to express their thanks to the funders at Youth Music for their invaluable support in making music more accessible for them. Thanks to funding received, participation in regular music-making activities has increased by 38%, with a siginficant increase in participation from young people with special educational needs and social/ emotional barriers which had previously prevented them from getting involved. Our young people have performed to over 1000 members of the public at notable venues such as Durham Cathedral as well as having opportunies to see and hear live musicians such as the Orchestra of Opera North, The Sixteen and two West End Musical casts. Over 400 students have participated in world music workshops, developing their understanding of Samba and Djembe traditions and 8 local primary schools have been invited in to see older students perform. Young people from across Weardale have completed Arts Award qualifications and this work is set to continue as we plan to offer higher award levels in the forthcoming academic year. Students have been able to receive singing and piano lessons for the first time and have commented on their developed levels of musicianship and growing confidence. None of this would be possilble without the generous support of Youth Music so thank you from all of us. Watch this space for our next phase of opportunities...!