Children in Dorset set to benefit from music grant
Dorset Music Service is celebrating £90K of funding from Youth Music to give better access to music for children, young people -and babies this year.
The funding is shared across three local organisations: The Arts Development Company, Dorchester Arts and Dorset Music Service. All will use the funds to encourage and support different projects which include online music clubs for babies, lessons for children and young people and better access to music education online.
The Arts Development Company will use the funds to expand the Babigloo Music for Babies programme, working closely with Children’s Centres and focussing on babies in families who are experiencing isolation, post-natal depression and anxiety.
Dorchester Arts will work with young people to help them explore music-making. Young people will be mentored by some of Dorset's young musicians, led by Dorchester Arts’ Youth Music Director Mickey Wills. It will also create new opportunities for online tutorials to access music via social media.
The project has been hosting weekly online sessions on Instagram and plans to begin COVID safe face to face sessions in October.
Dorset Music Service, part of Dorset Council’s Children’s Services and lead organisation for Dorset Music Hub, will explore new ways of delivering music education so more young people in Dorset, and particularly those facing challenging circumstances, can engage with music activities that are relevant and accessible to them.
This project will focus on Weymouth, Portland, Bridport and Wareham areas and will train music leaders to encourage more young people to explore electronic music and song writing, and to develop more out of school programmes.
Clair McColl, Strategic Lead for Dorset Music Service at Dorset Council, said: “We are delighted that Dorset Music Hub partners have received this funding which will go a long way to make sure all young people have access high quality music education. We will continue to work with schools across Dorset to make young people feel the benefits and pleasures that music and creativity can bring.”
Cllr Byron Quayle – Lead member for Education at Dorset Council, said: “Music can transform lives and introduce young people to a huge range of opportunities. Children who get involved in music, arts and culture live happier, healthier lives.
“The grants will ensure the Dorset Music Hub community can work together and create more musical opportunities for our young people.”
Find out more about music opportunities for children and young people in Dorset.
