Youth Music Week Returns

Posted: 27 October 2009

The nation gets ready to celebrate and demonstrate the power of music once again.

Now in its fourth year, Youth Music Week, our annual celebration of young people's music making takes place from 7 - 14 November 2009 and there'll be a whole variety of events happening across the country.

Over the past few years we've filled the National Gallery in London with the sound of samba drumming, flooded Barfly venues with young musicians, top bands and their fans, whilst our funded programmes have held countless gigs, showcase events and free music-making workshops nationwide.

This year things are no less exciting with Destroy / Rankin events taking place throughout the week and Youth Music Action Zones, MusicLeader networks, Voltage programme volunteers and other funded projects putting on their own special Youth Music Week events all based around this year’s theme: Music is Power.

Youth Music Week is all about encouraging and supporting young and talented musicians but also giving those that haven't previously had the chance, the opportunity to try out something new. It's also the ideal time for existing and potential music leaders to find out about professional development opportunities on offer.

Youth Music Week open workshops or events can often lead to continued music making and ongoing musical and social development. Phoebe York, aged 16 will be headlining a Youth Music Week gig at the Brickmakers B2 in Norwich on Sunday 8 November, following performances from new bands on Community Music East’s Rock School on Tour 2009 workshops. Phoebe first attended a Rock School On Tour workshop as part of Youth Music Week a couple of years back.

“I learnt so much from other participants as well as the tutors,” says Phoebe. “It’s a laid back, creative atmosphere with no distractions and we wrote some amazing songs. I learnt new chords and also more practical stuff like how to set up equipment.”

Coming to the workshops has given Phoebe the confidence to start to build a career in music. She now performs regularly at gigs and festivals and has recorded several live sessions on local radio.

Check out our events section for all the latest on workshops, gigs, performances and training events happening throughout Youth Music Week.

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