At Sound Connections we believe every child and young person in London should have the opportunity to experience music-making. Since 2002, Sound Connections has worked to strengthen the music sector, bridge gaps in provision and deliver landmark music programmes, but there is still more to do!
Each year, our young people's programme Wired4Music works with artists to support a wide range of music ideas, from live events to workshops and projects through the Generate programme. Generate offers up to £350 for personal development projects and up to £1750 for larger community projects enabling Wired4Music members to collaborate. Over the past five years we have invested over £50,000 directly into over 60 projects led by young people, and we've plans to work with a lot more! This year we are fundraising to support the next round of Generate.
At Wired4Music, everything we do is led and decided by our members. From music makers and radio producers to techies and budding A&Rs, we place our members at the centre of decision making and co-creating opportunities. We work to to amplify the voices of our young people to challenge the culture of our capital. Our work continues to empower, connect and upskill our members, as evidenced by the Wired4Music 2020 Alumni Survey:
o 83% said W4M helped improve professional skills such as budgeting, project management, interview skills etc.
o 85% said W4M helped increase their resilience, confidence and knowledge to lead on their own creative projects
0 83% said W4M empowered them to pursue creative and musical routes into further education, employment and training
0 100% said W4M connected them with other young people and get involved in London's music scene
0 83% felt able to raise their voice on issues that were important to you and/or speak in public, on panels or at large events
0 92% felt that Wired4Music has helped them to get to where they are now
I had never before felt that I had the power or means by which I could have any kind of a say in my own musical training and education. This all changed for me when I joined Wired4Music. It was the first time the first time I was able to have my say and make a difference. - Siân Dicker, previous W4M member and Programme Assistant
Now more than ever we need to protect and nurture our musicians, and provide them with stability, sustainability and safe environments to create in and that support is always here at Wired4Music. - Jasmine Kambi, Wired4Music Programme Producer , Previous Wired4Music member
How can you get involved?
Over the next few months, Sound Connections Trustees and Director Philip Flood, will learn an instrument from scratch and sit the Rockschool Grade 1 exam in to raise money for the young artists who we work with through Wired4Music. Follow their progress and receive regular updates on our Twitter page @SConnections. Any donations, however small, would be greatly appreciated!
Happy fundraising and thank you in advance!
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