The award-winning programme is now open for applications from young people aged between 18-25 with an interest in music regardless of previous experience with a range of roles on offer from social media producers, journalists and photographers through to runners, presenters and event organisers as well as singer-songwriters and playing musicians. Working with a new partner, HQ Can (Community Arts Network, Leicester’s leading urban music specialist, the project is expanding across the East Midlands.
Talking about the experience of taking part last year, one young person said:
“This is what we needed...I’d forgotten how to talk to people but when we started to make music together, I felt excited and forgot about Covid.”
Circle of Light founder Tricia Gardiner said: “Covid 19 has created a very uncertain landscape for young people. It is unsettling for young people to witness the roles they might see themselves undertaking in the future changing, sometimes beyond recognition, in a relatively short space of time. This is why projects like Circle of Light are so important. Not only are we giving young people a chance to create and connect with others and employable skills, we are giving them hope and empowering them to shape their futures.”
The opportunities on offer include summer workshops, industry masterclasses, paid programme co-ordinator roles and mentor roles, volunteer mentor roles, wellbeing activities and for the first time, the chance to gain a Rock School Level 4 Professional Diploma selecting different units to pathways to facilitate progression into the cultural sector.
Music education consultant Kate Rounding is helping to create and deliver the Diploma along with Education and Bass and said:
“Project partners will work together to host shared masterclasses, seminars and performances, and to evidence young people's creative experiences and achievements by embedding the RSL diploma at the heart of the creative process. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate, connect with new audiences and to support each other at shared performances across two cities.”
Kate is working with Circle of Light to develop a supportive network, and is establishing partnerships with national arts and creative industry organisations, liaising with businesses and industry professionals, who can support the project and the participants. The learning from this project will inform and help others to provide substantial experiential and accredited learning opportunities for young people experiencing barriers to music education.
The summer workshops taking place at Circle of Light’s new city centre home, FisherGate Point, will be open for up to 30 young people in Nottingham while there are 10 places up for grabs run through HQ CAN. Applications can be made through the new Circle of Light website, created by assistant programme co-ordinator Tiffany Holland.
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