Music project wins funding (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Music project wins funding

AN ambitious music project in Lyme Regis has won financial backing to the tune of £33,000.

Members of Lyme Youth Arts are celebrating a £30,000 grant from Youth Music for their B Sharp! project

New music project B Sharp! will be launched next month by Lyme Youth Arts (LYA), thanks to a £30,000 grant from Youth Music, a national lottery-funded organisation.

West Dorset District Council has also pledged £3,000 to the project, which will last for 18 months.

The project for young people will kick off with a launch party on Saturday, August 30 with an afternoon of live music at the Marine Theatre Square.

Lyme Youth Arts was set up last year to deliver creative opportunities to young people in Lyme Regis.

LYA chairman Ayvin Rogers said: "The idea for this project has largely come from young people themselves. Their obvious enthusiasm has been supported by Youth Music, a national organisation funded by the lottery, and we are delighted with their financial offer."

Youth Music is a charity set up in 1999 with National Lottery money provided through Arts Council England, and funds and facilitates young people's music-making.

Gilly Rudling, regional executive officer for Youth Music in the South West, said: "The power of music to affect and change young people's lives is overwhelming. Youth Music is delighted to be able to help Lyme."

During the project, three professional musicians will run workshops teaching everything from drumming, mixing beats and music technology, to music composition and instrumental and signing sessions.

B Sharp! will also work with various bands and artists to perform at the Marine Theatre and other venues. Young people will be trained in event management so that they can continue putting on events after the project finishes.

Fran Williams, who has worked with young people for many years, will be project managing B Sharp! She said: "We will be working with various partners to include as many young people as possible."

B Sharp! will be working with the Woodroffe School, InSPARation Youth Café, LymeNet out of school service', Lyme ArtsFest, Hallett Court, the Marine Theatre, and Mountjoy Special School in Bridport.

They will also develop links with an urban music project in Bristol and other local partnerships are being pursued. Local musicians are invited to perform, plugged or unplugged, at the launch next month. Contact Fran Williams on 07968 177663 for details.