“Setting up a Youth Music Forum for Borders music making organisations that will encourage greater networking, broader choice and efficient delivery of musical opportunities"

The Scottish Government Youth Music Initiative is seeking to set up a Youth Music Forum in The Scottish Borders. Scottish Borders Council has asked TJ Arts to help create a forum for those who provide and use music services for children and young people, from toddlers to young adults up to 25.

Through sharing experiences and problems the forum will support existing areas of strength and work to create growth and choice in areas where there is less going on. To promote the forum we are contacting, through meetings, letters, etc; professional and volunteers, individuals and organisations; those already involving music in their provision and those interested in starting.

The forum will:

1.    Through the web site: http://www.sbymf.org.uk/   offer links to organisations existing web sites; a simple web page for those without a web presence; links to a variety of musical contacts; information on events; information on funding; opportunities to initiate and add to debate; to seek and offer support

1. Organise opportunities where interested organisations can promote their activities to young people, acting as an inspiration and a recruitment force. Finishing with a Showcase Concert to which the very best young players would be invited to perform and where groups and individual music tuition and instrument suppliers could have displays.
2. Build up a picture of interest in and demand for musical opportunities among a variety of groups and individuals covering the huge age range supported by Youth Music – effectively 0 to 25.
3. Develop a Youth Music Forum Strategy to define aims, outcomes and future funding by the end of the initial phase at the end of March 2009.

Membership of the Forum is open to both organisations and individuals seeking to offer opportunities that match the needs and aspirations of young people. And membership is free. I hope you will wish to join the Forum. For more information please contact.

Bill Muir, Volunteer Co-ordinator,TJ Arts