What was Rock On:
Rock On was a two-year music project for young people, delivered in youth clubs, housing support units and after-school clubs in the East Suffolk district – previously Waveney and Suffolk Coastal district areas.
Rock On offered rock and pop music and DJ sessions for young people, and were open to both complete beginners and those who wanted to develop existing skills and experience.
Sessions typically started with an informal, have-a-go period, followed by one-to-one tuition and then band practice.
There were several showcase opportunities for the young people to demonstrate their skills and talents, including public events at Skate Jams, a Christmas performance at the Seagull Theatre and in-house showcases in housing units and youth clubs.
All the sessions were delivered by professional music tutors, giving the participants the opportunity to benefit from their skills as teachers and their extensive experience of the music industry.
Over the course of the two years, Rock On delivered 126 sessions and engaged with over 160 young people. Participants learned to play musical instruments – principally guitar, drum and keyboards – developed vocal techniques, gained DJ skills in creating and performing mixes, and also developed composition and general performance skills and abilities.
Rock On was delivered in partnership with Access Community Trust, Lowestoft; CYDS, (Young People Taking Action) in Leiston and Saxmundham and Just 42 in Sutton Heath; sessions also took place at Alde Valley Academy in Leiston.
Designated youth workers from our partner organisations were actively involved in the sessions and trained with the music tutors to deliver Arts Awards; these increased skills, experience and knowledge will help sustain music making in youth settings, now that Rock On has come to an end.
Rock On partners:
Lowestoft and Felixstowe:
Based in Lowestoft, Access Community Trust runs a variety of youth services including housing related support and help with learning, development and employment.
Leiston and Saxmundham:
The CYDS project is a youth open access centre for all young people aged 8 to 29 and is completely free to all young people.
CYDS is at 53 High Street, Leiston IP16 4EL. To find out more, call 01728 830716 or email cydsproject@hotmail.com
Woodbridge area:
Just 42 is a Christian charity providing activities and support for children and young people in rural Suffolk.
For more details, contact Caroline Rutherford on 01394 380992, email info@just42.org.uk or visit their website at www.just42.org.uk
Contact:
Candida Wingate on 01986 873 955 or candida@suffolkartlink.org.uk
Further information:
Visit the Rock On blog site here
The Rock On music project was a development of the highly successful Rock Up programme: you can read the Rock Up Project Report here
Rock On was supported by Youth Music and public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England; Suffolk Community Foundation through Sabariah’s Fund; the generosity of the Jay Singers.
