Youth Projects

Wychavon Media Project

Wychavon District Council is launching an exciting film making project for young people across the district. The project will be run by a professional media company and is free for young people aged 11-18 and will see them give practical advice and the chance to use a range of cameras and editing equipment. They will also have the chance to discuss what local heritage means to them with the help of the Evesham Almonry Museum and Worcestershire County Council’s museum service. The outcome of these discussions will help form the content of the films they will then make. The first three workshops will be hosted over the coming weeks by Bredon Youth Club, which hosts the first this Sunday 11 March, The Regal Cinema in Evesham, and Pershore High School. Droitwich Air Cadets is also hosting an event for its own members. Any young people interested in the project should make a note of these dates and locations: Bredon Youth Club, Bredon Village Hall – Sunday 11 & Sunday 18 March, and Sunday 22 April from, 6.30-8.30pm. Contact Malcolm Dunn on 07963 803025 or e-mail Malcolm@craigy830.fsnet.co.uk The Regal Cinema, Port Street, Evesham – Monday 12, Monday 19, and Monday 26 March, 4-6pm. Contact Emma Heathcote-James on 01386 421007 or e-mail emma@theregal.ac Pershore High School – Tuesday 13, Monday 19 and Tuesday 27 March, 3.45-5.45pm. Contact Mr Reid, Art Teacher, on 01386 552471 or e-mail dr@pershore.worcs.sch.uk

This is only the first stage of the project. The second stage, funding permitting, will see the young people entering in to a long-term project where they will be interviewing older people about the past and recording it through media as well as learning more about film making.

For more information plase contact Jenny Davies on 01386 565396 or email jenny.davies@wychavon.gov.uk

Youth Music Project Online

Wychavon District Council is set to help local singers and musicians go digital.

For the last five years, Wychavon Youth Music has always happened in schools as an after school club.  But now for the first time the project has not only branched out to youth clubs, it is also offering a free online service.With the help of the Council’s funding, it means that more people will have access to the skills and expertise of Ade Holbrook, a project manager and music consultant who leads music sessions with young people.
The Youth Music project is aimed at young people in Wychavon who are interested in developing their band, singing and music skills. Young people aged 11-18 years who write their own material and are in a band or sing are being encouraged to get in contact too.
To take part in the project, all the aspiring musicians need to do is email or post in a cd of their music for the attention of Tracy Grubb along with an application form.  Tracy will then forward this on to Ade Holbrook who will provide a free critique of the work in order to help with their development both as musicians and their ability to promote themselves.
Ade Holbrook said: “This is a great opportunity for the young musicians and singers of Wychavon to receive critique in this unique way. A breakdown of their arrangements and song structure, along with a detailed evaluation of instrumentation and recorded parts gives those who submit a cd something that they couldn’t get anywhere else without spending a lot of money on top-flight producers. This is typical of Wychavon District Council’s forward thinking and dedication to the provision for young people in the area."
Before sending in a cd, musicians and song writers should initially contact Tracy Grubb, Community Development Officer, for further information, on 01386 565168 – or e-mail tracy.grubb@wychavon.gov.uk.

Feedback from W Factor Tour and Youth Music Project

Below is a small compilation of comments received by the participants and their parents of both the W Factor and the Youth Music Project.

“The sessions are a great opportunity to share my musical ideas and also gain experience from professionals about all aspects of songwrtiting and performance'

'I love the fact I’m working with other like minded young people and we all help each other'

'I was really excited to hear about the sessions as I knew it was what we needed to kick start our careers'

'This is what I want to do with my life so to have this opportunity is incredible…..I’m very grateful to Ade and the Wychavon team for putting these sessions together'

'I would definitely recommend these sessions to others, they have boosted my confidence and the confidence of all those who have taken part and they continue to help me develop my songs and material ready for gigs'

'The sessions have helped me write my songs in a more appealing way making them more commercial and making me a better songwriter'

'Theses sessions have given me so much. I wanted to be more confident on stage and a better musician and song writer, I genuinely feel like I’ve achieved in all of these areas thanks to the Wychavon sessions'

'There was nothing like this in my time……long may Wychavon support this type of inspirational activity'

'Everyone is really friendly and we have a great tutor to guide us'

'I’ve never heard of anything like this before and it’s been an amazing opportunity which I feel extremely grateful for being a part of'

'The sessions have helped my daughter massively and given her an incredible amount of confidence'

'When Ade works with me my songs just sound instantly better and I feel so much more confident performing them'

'It’s a great atmosphere and everyone helps each other'

'It gives my son and all of the children involved an amazing experience to work with professionals and develop their creativity……….there is nothing else like this'

'I’ve met a lot of new friends at the youth music sessions and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to develop their song writing skills and performance'

'Ade and the Wychavon team have been incredible in supporting my child in this unique activity'

'The sessions have really helped me understand the importance of looking at my arrangements and not just settling for the first thing that I think of'

'I think this style of session works really well as it’s a creative subject and needs the freedom to try things out'

Youth Music Project

The Youth Music Programme has allowed 26 young people the opportunity to develop their skills as well as perform in front of hudreds of people since its inception. Several of them will be performing at the Wychavon Party in the Parks held in August each year in Droitwich Lido Park, Evesham Abbey Park and Pershore Abbey Park.

Youth Club leaders have reported a reduction in unsociable behaviour due to the ability of reward schemes that allow appropriately behaved members to visit gigs that the bands have put on in the local areas.

If you would like to know more about the Youth Music Project please contact

Tracy Grubb
Community Development Officer
Wychavon District Council
Tel: 01386 565168 or email tracy.grubb@wychavon.gov.uk

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Alternatively, If you have any comments, feedback about our service please visit our Wychavon Arts, Sports & Leisure Blog