In Wales, Youth Music funded a total of 17 projects through its Open Programmes: Music Maker and Singing Challenge, and also via national initiatives: Instrument Amnesty and Instrument Purchase Programme. It was made possible from funds generated by the sale of an album called ‘Abbamania’.
‘Abbamania’ was the brainchild of one of our Trustees who, with the help and support of the British Phonographic Industry
(BFI) and the BRIT Trust, created an album, which included recordings of famous British artists, performing songs from the
repertoire of ABBA. The artists included: Martine McCutcheon, Steps, B’Witched, Westlife, Culture Club, Madness, Stephen
Gateley (Boyzone) and Denise van Outen. They performed their favourite song live on television as part of ITV’s ABBA Spectacular.
The album was a huge success and raised £1.5 million. This enabled Youth Music to support projects in Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland.
The majority of projects in Wales funded through the proceeds of the album were for the Open Programmes. Music Maker appealed
to a wide range of organisations across the country; encouraging children and young people to fulfill their musical potential
by working with inspired and charismatic Music Makers who engaged them using diverse styles and genres of music making in
an out of schools hours. Singing Challenge in Wales encouraged choirs and local singing groups to extend their repertoire,
recruit and train new members and develop the skills of young people as potential choir leaders.
More about Open Programmes
Please not that currently Open Programmes funding is not available in Wales
Instrument Amnesty in Wales was part of a national scheme, which brought back instruments no longer being played back into circulation and use for children and young people. The scheme worked by encouraging donors to donate instruments to local music services and community groups. Grants were provided from Youth Music to service and repair donated instruments.
More about Instrument Amnesty
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