Youth Music in Oxford
Anna Day | 25.11.2003 18:16 | Education | Oxford
“The Soundtrack of Our Lives” is an exciting new project called for 9-13 year olds to learn digital music making, from Rap Community Action based at The Rap Yard on Cowley Road and The Parasol Project. Children with special needs and local children in the area have been working with experienced Musician Dave Noble, Project Co-ordinator Katy Beinart and a group of musically talented volunteers to learn musical skills.
Sharon Subbarao, Pianist and Violinist, volunteering on the Rap project explained the project to us “ It’s good to get the kid’s involved in playing and sampling music and getting an understanding of electronic music. This project is about making music more accessible to children and allowing the children to express themselves in the process”.
“Pulse” is a series of workshops which gives access to the skills and opportunities within modern music which are not often provided through other youth organisations such as schools. Based at Fusion Arts (Community arts centre in Princes St, Cowley Road) the project has given opportunity to 14-18 year olds from around the area to learn from local professionals DJ Kim (Passion FM, Park End) and Kid Fury (Passion FM, The Green).
The children and young people across both projects are really enjoying the opportunity. Josh Hume, 11 years old from the Rap project told us “It’s Fun! You do fun stuff and we get to go to The Zodiac!!”
To celebrate the success of these projects there will be a special showstopping performance of Fusion Arts and Rap’s young people’s music, dance and video at the established local venue The Zodiac, on Friday 12th December, between 7pm – 9pm, free and open to all ages.
These projects are generously funded by the National Foundation of Youth Music and The Children’s Fund.
Anna Day
e-mail:
rapaction@hotmail.com
Homepage:
http://www.rapaction.org.uk