The New Music Technology

Teenagers from across Wiltshire will be will be finding out more about using technology to make their own music over the coming weeks as they take part in week-long courses run as part of an exciting new music project.

MusicXpress is a Music Technology project which aims to give young people from across Wiltshire the chance to DJ and build skills in technology, often for the first time. Funded by Youth Music, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Vodafone UK Foundation, it is run by Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership (WYAP) and the Wiltshire Music Centre, in partnership with Wiltshire Youth Development Service, Salisbury College and St Laurence School. The 18 month project will offer courses and outreach sessions in Youth Centres in all areas of the county.

Beginning in July, holiday courses take place during school holidays at the Wiltshire Music Centre and Salisbury College. Young people will be able to develop skills in DJing and Music Technology, creating new tracks and lyrics to be burned onto CD. There will also be the opportunity for school leavers or college students to work as peer mentors alongside the music leaders, gaining further training in technology. The Bradford on Avon course runs August 14-18, and the Salisbury course runs from August 29 - September 1. Courses cost just £10 per participant for the week, and help can be offered with travel.

Outreach sessions will be held around the county between now and October 07. Sessions have recently taken place in Malmesbury, Tidworth, Corsham and Durrington Youth Development Centres, with more venues planned for the autumn term.

There are still places available on both the Bradford and Salisbury holiday courses, and anyone interested in booking should contact WYAP
T: 01249 716681.

MusicXpress are actively seeking new venues to host sessions in Autumn 2006 and 2007, and interested youth clubs or youth projects should contact WYAP.

Following a successful pilot project in 2004/05, 'MusicXpress 2' has been made possible by grants totalling £73,500, from Youth Music, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Vodafone UK Foundation.