Cash boost for music sessions (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Cash boost for music sessions

9:40am Thursday 1st January 2009

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YOUTH leaders in Lyme Regis say a £6,000 grant will be invested in the long-term musical future of young people in the town.

The funding has come as music to the ears of young performers who now have the means to launch jamming sessions through the winter and buy equipment.

Lyme Youth Arts music project B Sharp Fringe will hold its first Winter Blues Jammin’ session on Saturday, thanks to the donation from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

The national Government fund enables young people to decide how money should be spent on positive activities in their area and is controlled by Dorset County Council’s Youth and Community Service.

A panel of young people from across the county selects which projects should benefit and only groups of young people can apply. Youth and community services manager Mick Hogan said: “The group that assessed the bids decided this project met the criteria. It was a good bid, it was properly costed and a worthy cause.”

The jamming sessions will be held every three weeks throughout the winter, until the end of March. B Sharp project leader Fran Williams said: “If they are really successful we will be looking for more funding to continue for another year.

“In order that B Sharp musicians can go on and do gigs and events themselves – as that is the main point of this project – we will also be putting some of the money into buying equipment. We are hoping to get a drum kit, amplifier and speakers, enough so they could do band practices, a small music gig, or perform for community events.”

This latest project will be led by the B Sharp trainees, who mentor the young musicians while also developing their own skills.

“They are the heart of the project,” said Mrs Williams. “This is a long term investment as they are our legacy. After B Sharp, they are the ones who will be looking for more funding to do more projects, or they will be trained up in youth work and music.”

Saturday’s jamming session at the powerboat club, from 3pm to 6pm, is open to anyone up to age 25, from novices to experienced musicians.

Trainee Jacques Verhaeren said: “It doesn’t matter what instrument you play, or your level of playing, all that is required is you, your instrument (bring an amp and leads if your instrument requires it), a little bit of soul and an open mind. We can’t say what style of music we are going to play because quite frankly, we haven’t played it yet!”

Professional musicians John K Miles, Ralph Cree and Glyn Bush will be on hand to give guidance, and drums, keyboard and percussion will be provided.

For more information on the workshops visit the website www.bsharp.uk.com

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