Article Source: Youth Music Initiative
Last Updated: 7 March 2023 12:44
Image: Laura Oghabgon from Ensemble music group trying her hand at immersive music play.
Last week, Youth Music Initiative (YMI) brought together over 200 teachers, practitioners, community projects and young musicians from local authority areas across Scotland to celebrate its 20th anniversary at Johnstone Town Hall. The day included musical performances and discussions about music education with Culture Minister Neil Gray giving the closing speech.
Launched in 2003 through Creative Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, YMI aims to break down the barriers to music making by offering free access to children and young people across Scotland. Over the last 20 years, the music education programme has increased participation from 60,000 to 360,000 young people per year. In March 2022, the programme kicked-off a year of celebrations to mark this significant milestone with the focus on telling the incredible stories of the children and young people who have benefited from the programme since it began.
Hosting the event, YMI Manager Morag Macdonald said: “A key aim of this event is to pay tribute to those who make it all happen and celebrate the achievements of the last 20 years while looking firmly into the future of this essential initiative. Donna Maciocia who was part of the event summed it up wonderfully when she spoke of the programmes ability to support projects that ‘combat loneliness, social isolation, and mental health issues, build self-esteem, provide so many life-affirming, warm and fuzzy, teary joyful moments’ and through this ‘creating opportunities for participants to feel truly heard for the first time in their lives’”.
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “Over the years YMI has delivered an impressive record of achievements. I’m particularly proud of the organisation’s engagement with under-represented groups of children and young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in making music. It is well-documented that participation in creative activities from a young age inspires and motivates our children, boosting their wellbeing and attainment.
“As we set out in the Scottish Government’s Culture Strategy, we want children and young people, no matter who they are or where they come from, to experience the transformative power of culture and YMI helps us to bring that ambition to life.”
The day was made up of panel sessions from Scotland’s youth music community, exploring personal stories and the national picture, with speakers from YMI funded initiatives including National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, Reeltime Music and Ando Glaso, and speakers from across the industry including musician, educator and activist, Dr Diljeet Kaur Bhachu.
The event also invited guests to enjoy a day of musical exploration, through a series of breakout spaces where they could Come and Watch young performers, Come and Hear from inspiring projects and Come and Try cutting-edge equipment.
Ensemble opened the performances in the Come and Watch space with a soulful session from their group of young musicians. Ran by the Wheatley Group, Ensemble is about creating music to transform lives, and was developed in consultations with young people receiving support at Wheatley Care. The award-winning projects empowers young people who would not normally have the chance to take part in music making, to create new, original music.
Another YMI funded project Sound Lab showcased Astroknot - a young Edinburgh rapper who engaged with the project after his support workers in the care system encouraged him to take part in more positive projects, as he admits himself his life was going in in a dark direction through substance abuse. Astroknot treated guests of the event to his unique hip-hop sounds. He dedicated one song to his Grandma, who raised him as her own and this song is about the ups & downs. Sound Lab helps young people and other communities to fulfil their creative potential through free music, media, digital and arts tuition.
Johnstone High School and members of the Renfrewshire Youth Pipe Band brought the event to a close, playing a vibrant rendition of Ozzy Osbornes “Crazy Train”.
To learn more about Youth Music Initiative, make sure you follow the programme on Twitter @CreativeScots, Instagram @creativescots and Facebook @CreativeScotland.
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's 'Dead Good October' series of spooky events features murder mystery, crime cafes, witchcraft workshop, author visit and more!
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is embracing the autumn season with a series of free-to-attend events throughout October, including Grow How, Little Seedlings Club and Little Seedlings Holiday Club.
READ MOREAsda's charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £150,000 to eight community groups across Scotland through its Investing in Spaces and Places grants.
READ MOREStatues of everyone's favourite bear will be taking a seat in locations across the UK and Ireland in early October!
READ MOREJoin Buddy Holly and the Cricketers at Eastwood Park Theatre as the boys once again hit the stage to delight audiences with their dynamic show!
READ MORETickets for this year's IRN-BRU Carnival launch with the chance to win on Glasgow's streets!
READ MOREAsda invites customers across Scotland to donate pre-loved children's books for onward gifting to families who have fewer books of their own.
READ MORETime is running out to enter Caledonian Sleeper's photography competition aimed at encouraging everyone to capture views of the most scenic locations on route between Scotland and London.
READ MOREThe winners of the Scots Language Awards 2024 were crowned on Saturday at a celebratory ceremony in Ayrshire.
READ MOREFor October, Dobbies Garden Centres has launched a brand new autumn edition of its hands-on planting experience, combined with a tasty Afternoon Tea.
READ MOREThe Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today reveals the 20 outstanding Scottish albums on 2024's Longlist.
READ MOREBBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns later this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MOREThe recently launched Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA), in association with GO Radio, has seen an overwhelming response, receiving over 3000 nominations in just the first 2 days.
READ MOREYoung people in East Renfrewshire are marking a major sporting milestone, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Active Schools initiative.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Butter Company is excited to announce the launch of Scotland’s first-ever croissant competition, open to bakers across the country.
READ MOREHold onto your popcorn, because Cineworld is thrilled to announce the whirlwind return of the blockbuster hit Twisters to 4DX screens nationwide, due to an overwhelming tornado of popular demand!
READ MOREFilm fans are invited to revisit a galaxy far, far away this September as every main Star Wars film brings some of cinema's most iconic heroes and villains back to the big screen.
READ MOREAre you ready to take on Scotland's greatest running event at this year's AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday 6 October?
READ MOREFestival-goers attending the fourth Music at the Multiverse festival at the weekend enjoyed fantastic live music, sunshine and showers in one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor venues.
READ MOREStudents go FREE with Stena Line on Cairnryan and Liverpool routes.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure welcomed local school pupils, volunteers and community leaders to the unveiling of its new Community Garden at Thornliebank Library.
READ MOREPrepare to be enchanted once again this winter as Monteviot Lights returns to Monteviot House & Gardens!
READ MOREGet ready for ghoulish grins and festive fun - Inverclyde’s beloved Galoshans Festival returns for its 10th anniversary!
READ MOREParticipants can choose any novel way of racking up 100 miles this September to help raise crucial funds for those who need it most in the UK.
READ MOREToday, on what would have been Michael Jackson's 66th Birthday, entertainers launch their brand-new show; Man in the Mirror – A Tribute to Michael Jackson.
READ MOREDistinguished Senior Consultant Physician and psychiatrist Lotta Borg Skoglund will present groundbreaking research which challenges outdated views on female ADHD.
READ MOREThe winners of the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards have been revealed!
READ MOREWith Chef Demos, Cocktail & Mocktail Masterclasses and Wild Food Walks!
READ MOREFilm fans can get their big screen fix at Vue for just £4 this Saturday (31 August) as part of National Cinema Day!
READ MOREThe nominees have been unveiled for the Scots Language Awards 2024, with 50 outstanding organisations and individuals in the running for 12 awards at the annual ceremony next month.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"