Member Article

Tyneside Studio Celebrates Anniversary of Access Music Programme 

A North Shields recording studio has declared its landmark music programme a success having helped scores of children and people from deprived backgrounds access music.

Notes Studios, formerly known as the Gasworks, last year launched ACCESS MUSIC CIC in a determined bid to reconnect people with writing, producing and enjoying music in the community. 

The programme -  the brainchild of North East musicians Martin O’Nions and Phil Martin – has earned high praise by supporters and funders North Tyneside Council as well as the local community in response to its efforts. 

Heralded as a bespoke program that makes music available to everyone, the men behind unique venture have gone on to oversee projects in partnership with The Phoenix Detached Youth Project based in The Meadowell, have just launched a 24 week Arts Award programme for young people from Norham High School and have delivered skill-building music sessions for individuals with special needs. 

Martin O’Nions, of the much loved recording and rehearsal space in North Shields explains: “We’ve seen less and less young musicians using the studios over the past three years and the economy being the way it is, music appears to have unfortunately become a luxury especially when it comes to tuition and playing in bands. 

“It would be a crime if we suddenly realised in 10 years time there were no new musicians, bands, and singers playing live, especially in this area, because no one had encouraged them or found the resources to ensure that doesn’t happen.

“Our aim has been to provide opportunities for those in the local community that may not normally have the resources to access the services we can provide. 

“We love mentoring young people and were driven by a desire to encourage them back to music. We help develop their interest, develop their skills and give them the confidence to perform in live events.”

Notes Studios - a one of its kind in North Tyneside - providing affordable, first-class recording and rehearsal facilities,  has received invaluable funding from North Tyneside Council, of late to continue its programme along with the UK disabled charity United Response. 

Mr O’Nions has said that the funding will enable the studio to continue to provide its unique service and resource for the benefit of the local community and has said Access Music is looking forward to an even better 2018. 

He continues: “We have amazing facilities here and it would be a massive shame not to put them to good use. Not only do we have the purpose-built rehearsal and recording spaces but the size of the facility allows people to do things like video and photo shoots, host live events and parties and lead us on to starting our Community Interest Company, ACCESS MUSIC.  

“We’re really looking forward to working with yet more talented people in 2018 and can’t wait to provide more support to some amazing people.

“We are actively seeking funding or ideally sponsorship for a long-term programme to encourage young people to learn to play musical instruments, write songs, form bands, rehearse, record and perform live. If there are any interested parties out there, we’d love to hear from you.” 

The Phoenix Detached Youth Project based in The Meadowell, North Shields, saw Notes Studios oversee writing and music and video production classes with young people for Organ Donation Awareness and Mental Health Awareness.

Phoenix Detached Youth Project Project Manager, Mike Burgess, adds: “We have been on an exciting journey over the last two years, with Martin and Phil from Note Studios and their Access Music Programme. They are passionate about developing opportunities for local young people who often have limited resources to enable them to access high quality tuition and musical experiences.

“We have worked in partnership with Access Music, and Norham High School, to raise funding from North Tyneside Council, the Greggs Foundation, the RW Mann Trust and The Tyne and Wear Community Foundation (Chapman Fund).

“Those funds have allowed us to work with a range of local young people, refugees, young parents, pupils with additional needs from Norham School, and marginalised young people. The aim is to use music to improve young peoples mental well being, after supporting young people with food and fuel poverty this allows us to improve young peoples resilience and well being completing the circle.”

**For more information about Notes Studios and Access Music visit www.notes-studios.co.uk **

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jane Crosby .