Hello! I'm Bobbie Gardner- a local community musician (http://bobbiejanegardner.com) and I shall be blogging about all things music education for Gigbeth over the next couple of months!

Nice to e-meet you!

I am going to keep you updated with what I think are interesting issues, events, discussion points happening within this sector. I shall also report on local community events and do my best to inform you about any exciting community music performances.

My first post is unintentionally Brum-centric since this month, 7-12th July 2008, Birmingham hosted the Music for Youth National Festival at Symphony Hall. Thousands of young musicians took part in a massive performance and jumped at the chance to perform to a large audience;

an integral part of their development.

There is also an exciting opportunity happening for local community artists:

"West Midlands' artist group Laundry is carrying out an intercultural dialogue project with central and eastern European partners to develop high quality creative projects with young people. They are looking for emerging artists wanting to work in a social context on "new and exemplar participatory projects that seek to connect disparate communities", and are offering bursaries of up to £2,500 (for up to 20 days work), plus travel and living costs to visit one their European

partners".

http://www.laundryline.co.uk/

And finally;

MusicLeader are to embark upon one of their most ambitious projects to date. Doing Music Justice will equip music leaders intensive training and shadowing opportunities in youth justice settings in the West Midlands. This project is aimed at experienced music leaders, and experienced youth justice workers with musical skills. Training takes place autumn 2008 to spring 2009, and will be led by Sound Sense member Mark Bick.

www.musicleader.net/trainingcourses_details.asp?TPID=2175

More to come!