Every year at More Music, young people from Lancaster, Morecambe and the North West have the opportunity to plan organise and get involved in Arts Week – five days of music industry events, masterclasses, debates, workshops and gigs.

Entitled Viva La Youth, More Music’s 2019’s Arts Week was conceived by their Young Leaders team. Focussing on celebrating the power of young people’s voices and creativity through a series of events about creative career development in the arts.

Offering an insight into the music industry and its varied alternative career paths, the diverse programme gave young people the opportunity to explore their creative interests, meet industry professionals as well as showcase their skills and talents.

During the week, young people were given the opportunity to take part in everything from film making and soundtrack composition workshops. They were able to sell their own merchandise and voice their opinions on music education with professionals from the sector. There was also the opportunity to meet and question JP Cooper’s manager Karen Boardman, music video producer Daniel Brereton and take part in a masterclasses with professional drummer Ewan MacDonald.

Highlights of the week included the launch of Viva La Youth featuring an amazing performance by Unique Beatz. The Unique Beatz band had been working on their set all term as part of an after school project More Music is running at Unique Kidz & Co – a charity that aims to advance the social and play opportunities of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities.

Following Unique Beatz’s performance, Youth Orbit – More Music’s youth led, talented jazz band – performed some accomplished tracks from  Planetarium, their brand new EP recorded at More Music this term.

Tuesday saw young people debate the current state of music education with a panel of special guest invited from the formal and non formal sector.

There was a lively and impassioned debate about the pressure schools and colleges are under to deliver a curriculum which is relevant to young peoples needs whilst working under extreme governmental pressure. Questions were raised about how we could increase access to high quality music education for all, and it was concluded that the future should be led by actively listening to young people’s voices.

Wednesday brought artist Neil Wilson from White Elephant Contemporary Arts and Johnny Bean, film maker and photographer to More Music. Working with a group of young people on a project inspired by a DIY home movie approach to film making called Slingfilm. Using the quote “are you looking at me” taken from Taxi Driver, the group devised and story boarded their ideas. They then set about filming their own personal responses to the quote using a combination of old film cameras mixed with modern digital technology.

To celebrate the end of the week and also the end of our year at More Music, young bands, musicians, rappers and Dj’s took to the stage for Stages Live and Loud. The gig, programmed by the young leaders team, was a great opportunity for musicians of all abilities to perform in a safe and supportive environment in front of their peers, friends and family.

From young people’s first ever gig, to the opportunity to run lights and sound, Stages Live and Loud supported young musicians, DJ’s, producers, songwriters and technicians in developing creative career opportunities.

If you know someone who would like to get in More Music’s regular youth programme contact Youth Programmes Manager: rachel.parsons@moremusic.org.uk