The Bigger Picture
A little while ago - in the summer - I was asked to take the funeral of
a young man who had tragically taken his own life. He was 23.
The church was full - 300 or more young people - some needing to stand
outside. The service was moving, but it was when we put some
pictures of his life up on the screen accompanied by his own music,
some of which was his own composition, that everyone was
engaged.
It was only afterwards, as I reflected further on the sea of lost
looking faces that I began to dream about us running a music and media
centre of some kind to help connect with young people, raise self
esteem, encourage expression and develop creativity.
Not knowing how this might exactly look, or being able to create this
myself, I invited 6 friends over for curry. The link between
them was simply music... and I told them my story and then took them
around 'church rooms' - an underused property owned by the
church. "If you could do something around music in this
space, then what would you do?" I asked them.
And then they began to dream.
The enthusiasm among the group was immediate and catching, and after a number of fantastically animated discussions they came up with some ideas around converting the loft into a studio space whilst also being able to use the downstairs area for recording, teaching, music lessons, workshops and activities. It didn't take long for the idea of a professional recording studio come rehearsal space, come media centre, come dance centre, that enables youth to make music together and collaborate creatively within the community and aids personal development.
The Team
The team of people that has been gathered are an incredible group of musicians and producers with extensive experience in composition and performance, sound production, live band engineering, music teaching and lecturing, web design, graphics and animation. Although experienced in a number of creative arenas, it is music that is the main thing that binds them together – making it, recording it, expressing themselves through it, performing it, sharing it, including and encouraging others in it. It is one of the most significant parts of their lives and they believe that it is transformational. They all live locally and have a passion to make a difference in Twerton. Music and media and young people in Twerton
The central thing that excites the team is the idea of being able to use their musical and artistic gifts in helping and encouraging younger people in Twerton. The team believe that, if given support, direction and a space for creative expression, young people are one of the most untapped resources Twerton has for growth and regeneration.
Statistics and experience confirm that many young people in Twerton face considerable difficulties and on a range of social indicators they are disadvantaged. While music is a central part of youth culture many are restricted from developing their natural talents and enjoying the buzz that comes from performing or developing their musical interests.
The idea is in fact relatively simple: To create a space where young people want to gather to make music with others, to learn, to express themselves, and to grow.
Sometimes fatherless or lacking consistent and supportive role models, it is believed that provided with attention, praise and discipline, young people are part of the solution not the problem. The aim of the project would be to support local talent, generate pride and develop skills.
Partnership with others
This project is a bottom up community project arising from the ideas of local people in response to local issues. It is vital that the project works collaboratively and effectively with all the other significant local agencies. The project has the full support of other local agencies including The Percy Community Centre, Culverhay School, The Foyer, local youth workers... In addition to working with other local community groups, the team already has developed links with professional and academic bodies such as Bath University.
