Youth Music and the 2012 Cultural Olympiad

Posted: 29 September 2008

One hundred Youth Music Voices will fill the air with new music

Update:  Find out about Youth Music Voices 2010

As part of its contribution to the Cultural Olympiad, Youth Music is delighted to be part of the Sounds project, one of the ten major projects forming part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.  With the BBC acting as lead agency, Sounds has four different strands (The Band - a proposal being developed by the BBC; Youth Music Voices and National Singing Day - led by Youth Music; and World River - led by Serious).  Together all four strands, currently in development, will aim to celebrate music as a universal language in today's multicultural and multi-faith UK.

By 2012, over one hundred 14 to 18 year olds from the broadest cultural mix across the country will be working together as Youth Music Voices - a youth vocal ensemble unlike any other in this country. With its own style, individuality, leadership, and specially commissioned repertoire of new songs and arrangements, the young singers will produce vibrant and exciting music throughout the Cultural Olympiad to 2012.  As well as developing these young singers to the highest standard, Youth Music plans to continue to support Youth Music Voices as a national youth vocal ensemble beyond 2012.

When will Youth Music Voices begin?

To celebrate the launch of the Cultural Olympiad this month, Youth Music has brought together a ‘sample' Youth Music Voices comprising 60 singers from young people's vocal groups and music organisations from around England who can be heard on:

• Friday 26 September 12.30 pm, Southbank Centre, Front Room: www.southbankcentre.co.uk
• Friday 26 September 6.30 pm, Barbican FreeStage: www.barbican.org.uk
• Saturday 27 September 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm, artsdepot: www.artsdepot.co.uk
• All performances are free and each will last approximately 20 minutes

Throughout these performances the ensemble will be directed by Richard Frostick, perform new arrangements by Harvey Brough and backed by a trio - BBC Jazz Award winning pianist Tom Cawley, Zero 7 bassist Rob Mullarkey and drummer Simon Lea; the performances will be produced by Serious.      

Recruitment for Youth Music Voices as part of Sounds will start in autumn 2009 and will build on the network of singing activity already funded by Youth Music (open programmes, Youth Music Action Zones all over the country, National Youth Music Organisations, Youth Music Mentors and through Sing Up - the government funded national campaign for singing run by Youth Music and partners) and by other agencies. From autumn 2009, 11-15 year olds will be recruited to join Youth Music Voices and grow with the ensemble - becoming the 14-18 year olds who will be performing in 2012.

Young people who wish to participate in Youth Music Voices should watch for updates on www.youthmusic.org.uk

National Singing Day will be the second Youth Music initiative as part of the Cultural Olympiad.  It is an initiative with young people at its heart that will encourage schools, families and the wider community to join in.  This will include an invitation to create and perform specially commissioned songs and have fun, making and breaking records Olympic-style, animating public spaces in new ways. 

Background

Youth Music Voices - an overview

• Youth Music Voices is for one hundred boys and girls aged 14 - 18 (in 2012)
• Youth Music Voices will seek singers who have outstanding music personalities and can sing in a range of styles
• Youth Music Voices will celebrate excellence in singing, leadership, repertoire and performance
• Youth Music Voices will work with diverse professionals and inspirational mentors
• Youth Music Voices will build wide-ranging repertoire in response to the creative interest and energies of its young singers, encouraging them to write their own material
• Youth Music Voices will develop a sense of team, acting as ambassadors and advocates for singing 

 

Youth Music and the Cultural Olympiad
Youth Music has committed pump-priming funding for the Youth Music Voices project and, in addition, is in discussion with London 2012 with regard to the possibility of Youth Music contributing funds to Cultural Olympiad related projects.

 

The Cultural Olympiad is a four-year programme that will highlight the country's diversity by using both culture and sport to create works and events that will bring people and places together, encourage audiences to take part, involve and inspire young people, welcome the world to the London 2012 Games and create a lasting legacy.

 

Download Youth Music Voices Press Release

 

 

 

 

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