Genelec has helped The Music Works charity launch its latest initiative, a mobile recording studio called the Music Bus – a studio on wheels that brings the transformative power of music-making to new communities throughout Gloucestershire, giving young people the opportunity to collaborate and learn how to play instruments and write songs together, as instructing them in music production and recording.
The Music Works aims to bring music to disadvantaged communities through sessions that allow young people to channel their creativity positively and learn new skills. The charity believes that the Music Bus can reduce anti-social behaviour incidents by providing positive opportunities to take part, and a chance to make the music.
‘From having young people piling on to the bus, creating a beat and writing lyrics to seeing the excitement from them, it all just confirms this is going to be a great opportunity for young people to be creative in so many ways’ says Youth Support Manager Mikel Medley, after a pilot session with the Music Bus at the Opportunity Fair, Gloucester Academy School. ‘One young person said they couldn’t believe how good the bus sounds.’
One of the barriers that young people face in Gloucestershire is travel from suburban areas into the major towns and cities where there are more opportunities to access music. The Music Works’ educational team already work throughout the county in schools during term time, but there are many opportunities to support young people with activities outside of school in their own community and out of term; this is where the Music Bus is hoped to make a real difference.
The Music Works relies on support from several organisations that have made the Music Bus possible, including high-profile sponsorship from Genelec, whose monitors are relied on by many of the finest artists and recording studios in the world. Genelec monitors are already a key part of The Music Works facility in Gloucester, and now the new Music Bus features Genelec’s highly respected
‘We have a long history of supporting organisations that are dedicated to educating and nurturing the next generation of music makers,’ comments Andy Bensley, Genelec’s UK Business Development Manager. ‘We are thrilled to be part of the next chapter, that will see their valuable work reaching the wider community.’
The Music Works engages more than 3,000 young people a year in schools and community rehearsal spaces in Gloucester, Stroud and the Forest of Dean, doing everything from helping young people to get started in music, to supporting emerging artists, and running festivals and events.
