Young people in Oxford are set to explore their creative side through music and technology as Rose Hill Junior Youth Club hosts a new series of hands-on taster sessions this November.
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service, the sessions – taking place on Thursday 06 November – are open to children in school years 4 to 6 and girls aged 11 to 16. They build on the success of a similar project held last year, which saw 15 participants create 13 original tracks.
The initiative introduces young people to music production using digital audio workstation (DAW) software on iPads and MacBook Pros. Participants learn how to compose their own music, record cover versions, and experiment with loops, keyboards, singing, and rapping in a portable recording studio environment.
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“Blending technology with music is an exciting way to develop interest among young people, unlocking a creative talent they might not even know they possess, and who knows a future career as a recording artist or producer.
“These and other themed creative sessions also provide an incentive to attend the youth club, to make new friends and with the added bonus of learning something exciting away from the school classroom.
“We believe every young person should have a chance to access musical learning and our music service supports school children through a wide range of genres, from today’s contemporary pop music to more traditional choirs, chamber groups and orchestras.”
Parents and guardians of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can apply for funding to access music tuition or instrument hire through the county’s music service.
Rose Hill Junior Youth Club serves two of Oxfordshire’s most deprived wards, providing free sessions that help build self-confidence, social skills, and independence through creative and meaningful activities.
Aimee Winkfield, Interim Director at Rose Hill Junior Youth Club, added:
“The music tech sessions are an absolutely fantastic addition to our after school youth clubs, and the young people really enjoyed creating their own tracks and dancing along with the beats they made before the summer holidays.
“We are looking forward to resuming these sessions at our girls’ club and also introducing them to children aged eight to 10 at our junior sessions in November. It’s wonderful to be able to access such enriching and creative activities and share with the community, through our youth clubs.”
