An exciting new project will give hundreds of local young people the chance to learn and develop music skills over the next two years. The STEPS Youth Music Project has received a grant of £29,378 over two years from the Youth Music ‘Trailblazer’ fund and is now ready to offer an array of music workshops, taster days and events.
The project aims to engage over 400 young people aged 13-19, from those who already play instruments to those who are completely new to music. Included in the planned activities are:
– Learning to play instruments (guitar, keyboards, drums, percussion etc)
– DJ Skills workshops (digital and vinyl)
– Singing/vocals and performance workshops
– Lyric-writing workshops
– Music industry skills (recording, sound engineering, lighting etc)
– Recording of young people-created music
– Performances – ‘open mic’ nights, poetry slams, flash-mobs and mini-concerts
– Band bashes
– A big end-of-project concert
The activities will take place on certain weekday evenings and at weekends, using a variety of venues. Most activities and workshops will be at STEPS Club for Young People on Chickerell Road in Weymouth, but the project will also utilise space at Weymouth College, the Dry Dock and the Antix Music Network studio.
Principal Youth Worker Tom Lane said: “The Youth Music Project is an exciting opportunity for young people to get involved, to learn and develop their skills and to be creative. The project will cater for everyone from absolute beginners to those who play to a decent level and there are plenty of opportunities for lyricists, rappers, singers and people interested in music but not playing an instrument. The project is free to participants and it’s a great opportunity to get expert tuition and to take part in fun workshops creating music and music videos and trying everything from hip-hop dancing to rapping to honing your DJ skills on both vinyl and digital decks!”
Lily Jeary, 16, who is a member of the project’s Young People’s Steering Group added: “I’ve been doing the DJ lessons and am hoping to perform at the Pavilion in April at the Nostalgia event. I’ve also bought a bass guitar and want to start learning to play and to form a band with friends. I also want to be involved with making music videos. I encourage all young people who are interested to come and have fun with us on the project.”
Youth Music is a national charity, part-funded by the National Lottery (via Arts Council England) and the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Anyone aged 13-19 interested in taking part in the project is asked to email Tom at