Youth Music Network Newsletter Nov 2020

Welcome to the November edition of the network newsletter!
We have a new report, a new podcast and our latest funding information and more - thanks for reading and feel free to get in touch with any questions.

New Report - Inclusion in Music Education Hubs (MEHs)

Our new report released today explores how Music Education Hubs are changing the way they work, and what needs to happen next. It reflects on distance travelled with regards to inclusive practice in MEHs and offers recommendations to key stakeholders.

Living Wage Week November 2020
As an accredited Living Wage Employer, Youth Music is proud to be part of a movement of almost 7,000 employers who have committed to paying a fair wage. This is a cause close to our heart, as young people are often the group most affected by low wages. As a Living Wage Funder, we support grantholders to pay the real Living Wage rates to any grant-funded staff posts. As part of our Living Wage Week celebrations we spoke to some of our Next Gen about what the living wage means to them. We also caught up with grantholder Brighton Dome about why they are an accredited Living Wage Employer. Becoming accredited is a relatively cheap and straightforward process – find out how to become accredited through the Living Wage Foundation website.

New Youth Music Next Gen Podcast

The Higher Frequency is our new Next Gen podcast, in partnership with Notion Magazine. The first two episodes were dropped on Friday, so subscribe now and take a listen!

Reshape Music Report
Last month we released our Reshape Music report, which discussed barriers Disabled Musicians face accessing music education and music-making and the urgent need for inclusivity. It has been the 25th anniversary this month of the Disability Discrimination Act. To coincide, BBC Sounds' Music Matters on BBC Radio 3 did a programme on Disability and music and spoke to our CEO Matt Griffiths and Jenn from Sound Connections, one of our AMIE founding partners - you can listen back here. BBC Introducing also had a Disability In Music masterclass which featured musicians and music fan's' experiences of disability in the music industry. If you're seeking to improve your practice in working with Disabled young people then visit our Disabled young people resource page on the network.

Free Consultancy Opportunity
If you are a small organisation with no dedicated fundraising resource and would like to access an hour of free consultancy with a fundraising specialist, please email phoebe.cross@youthmusic.org.uk – Youth Music is piloting a small programme in response to the findings of our stakeholder survey. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Grants Currently Open for Applications

We currently have our Fund A and Fund B grants open for applications - details can be found here.

This issue's top blog from October is from Jack Drum Arts, entitled 'Anger, Lyrics and Empowerment'. James Lane writes: "The world is heavy and burdensome at the moment for most, especially young people who are trying to look forward and seeing a particularly harrowing image. The trick is in turning those feelings of frustration, exclusion and discontent in to something empowering."

"When you’re working with a group on an overcast pandemic day, when the atmosphere is as oppressive as the clouds and everyone is feeling world weary- sometimes the most positive thing you can give the room is the opportunity to express those feelings together, and the encouragement those people need to feel valid in doing so."

We get so many amazing posts, so thank you if you've ever written one, there's lots to explore.

Brighter Sound are looking for two Freelance Music Facilitators. Deadline Sun 22 Nov.
Mahogany Opera are looking for four new trustees. Deadline Fri 27 Nov.
Changing Trax are looking for a Programme Producer. Deadline Mon 30 Nov.
Drake Music want a Planted Symphony Producer. Deadline Mon 30 Nov.
Bristol Beacon are looking for a Creative Producer. Deadline Tues 1 Dec.
The National Youth Orchestra want a Content Officer. Deadline Mon 7 Dec.

CPD, Training & Events

Music Explosion Webinar Special: Hospital Records Takeover, Midi Music Company. Wed 25 Nov.
Safeguarding for Trustees, Artswork Ltd. Wed 25 Nov.
How to evaluate your impact, Sound Connections. Wed 2 Dec.
Rapunzel The Lockdown Pantomime, NYMAZ. Wed 16 Dec.
Xmas Relaxed Singalong, Northamptonshire Music Education Hub (NMEH). Sat 19 Dec.

Other Opportunities

The Nesta Arts & Culture Finance team also have three upcoming webinars about repayable finance and how it can be used by arts, culture and heritage organisations. Wed 25 Nov, Thurs 26 Nov and Tues 1 Dec.

The Institute for Voluntary Action Research are running peer learning sessions for charity leaders up until December.

London Funders have over £4m available to support London's civil society organisations through the second lockdown.

Full job listings and event listings can be viewed on the YMN. For any opportunities specifically targeted towards young people, please post them on the Youth Music Opportunities page. We encourage sharing round our bi-weekly Next Gen newsletter sign up for the latest opportunities.

This month's Staff in the Spotlight features our Programme Coordinator Phoebe Cross, who joined Youth Music three weeks before the March lock-down. Below in an extract and the full link is below. Questions were asked by Carol Reid.

How did you find out about Youth Music and what made you apply to work here?

I first heard about Youth Music when I was looking for a career change a year ago (it doesn’t feel like a year ago!) and I came across the Programme Coordinator role and it just looked...

You’re an accomplished drummer amongst other things! Where did your musical journey start and what are you doing now?

Ah shucks! My Dad played drums in a band in the 80s so luckily he was down for me having a kit at home when I was about 11. I played drums on my own for so long and eventually when I started uni I ended up playing in bands as I thought it was about time! Scary at first but it’s meant...

You must have lots of time on your hands now that you're not gigging. How do you keep yourself busy?

Other than some music writing and recording, I’ve literally just moved to Crouch End so that’s keeping me busy. Our Chief Operating Officer Angela mentioned Freecycle in passing and I’ve become a bit obsessed...

Tell us what you do at Youth Music - and what are the best and the worst bits about your role?

I work within the Grants and Learning Team and my work is quite varied which I’d say is the best part – admin relating to our grants process as well as looking after the Youth Music Network site and Twitter page and comms with our grantholders and beyond. I’m currently helping with the redevelopment of the...

You previously worked for an environmental consultancy firm. Do you miss doing bat surveys? What small changes can music industry organisations make to reduce their carbon footprint?

Yes I did! I loved working and seeing lots of wildlife when I was working in an ecologist role but how enjoyable surveys were depended on the weather and there was often weekend and evening work. I eventually became more office-based anyway, but...

What's your best vegan recipe?

Ohh good question, I think the vegan recipe I’ve made the most is the Jamie Oliver vegan mac and cheese. I usually fry the onion to put on top with breadcrumbs at the end. I also add a teaspoon of Marmite to the bechamel and serve with garlic bread. 😊 Would recommend the...

More top October blog posts from the Youth Music Network.

External Jobs & Opportunities Advertised on the YMN