SoundCity, Brighton & Hove’s Music Education Hub, has won national acclaim for its work inspiring children and young people into music.
The National Music Council, which promotes the cultural and educational benefits of music, has awarded Brighton & Hove City Council’s Music & Arts service-led SoundCity the Diploma of Merit.
Judges recognised the wide range and breadth of opportunities the partnership gives to young people as well as the partnerships that have been created. These include those with Brighton Festival, Royal Pavilion & Museums, Pitch Perfect, the Great Escape as well as the SoundCity festival. The third SoundCity festival is scheduled for Saturday 14 March.
A core strength is SoundCity’s ability to link into the artistic programming across the city to ensure as many young people as possible are involved in as many musical events as possible.
This partnership is designed to boost music education and opportunities in music that reflect the needs of children and young people. Alongside our colleagues in schools our key strategic partners are Brighton Dome & Festival, Glyndebourne, Rhythmix and University of Sussex.
Working in collaboration SoundCity aims to ensure that all children and young people in the city, whatever their background, are able to engage with, to enjoy, and to be inspired by high quality music opportunities. This is achieved through delivery of the National Music Education Plan and locally identified areas of priority linked to the Brighton & Hove City Council Corporate Plan, these being:
• support for children and young people in challenging circumstances.
• support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs/Disability.
• progression opportunities for all.
Brighton & Hove Music Trust chair Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty said:
“The work of Soundcity continues to inspire the city’s young people with the power of music. This national award affirms the leadership we provide with our work with other key organisations in the pursuit of music making in our city.
“We continue to show that music- whether that’s rock, classical, in a classroom or theatre - makes a marked difference to our young people. Music opens doors as well as minds: it really has the power to transform lives.”