Music tech coming to Oxford’s Rose Hill Junior Youth Club
Could a future chart topper come from Oxford’s Rose Hill Junior Youth Club where young people will have an opportunity to create music with technology during taster sessions on Thursday 6 November?
The sessions organised by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service – for children in school years 4-6 and for girls aged 11-16 – aim to build on the success of a similar project attended by 15 young people last year, when 13 tracks were produced.
The project gives children and young people an opportunity to learn how to make their own music using digital audio workstation (DAW) software on iPads and MacBook Pros.
They learn to create their own original tracks and cover versions, using loops, playing keyboards and singing or rapping in a portable recording studio setup.
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Blending technology with music is an exciting way to develop interest among young people, unlocking a creative talent they might not even know they possess, and who knows a future career as a recording artist or producer.
“These and other themed creative sessions also provide an incentive to attend the youth club, to make new friends and with the added bonus of learning something exciting away from the school classroom.
“We believe every young person should have a chance to access musical learning and our music service supports school children through a wide range of genres, from today’s contemporary pop music to more traditional choirs, chamber groups and orchestras.
"Parents and guardians of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can apply for funding for their child to access music tuition or hire instruments from Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.”
Rose Hill Junior Youth Club works with communities in two of the most deprived wards in Oxfordshire, with their free sessions providing safe, meaningful, creative and healthy activities designed to improve participants’ self-confidence, social skills, and independence.
Aimee Winkfield, Interim Director at Rose Hill Junior Youth Club, said: “The music tech sessions are an absolutely fantastic addition to our after school youth clubs, and the young people really enjoyed creating their own tracks and dancing along with the beats they made before the summer holidays.
“We are looking forward to resuming these sessions at our girls' club and also introducing them to children aged eight to 10 at our junior sessions in November. It’s wonderful to be able to access such enriching and creative activities and share with the community, through our youth clubs.”
Further information about Oxfordshire County Council’s music service is available on the council’s website.
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