24 July 2012

Southend YMCA's Switch 2 Music studio is launching its new programme of music activities supported by Youth Music on Wednesday 8th August at 8pm, The Railway Hotel, Southend.

The line up: 
Little Dog
Ben Floyd Trio
Youth Music students:
Emma Grottick 
The Rikka Beez
Virtuoso Bands

As well as the line up of music, it will be a chance to meet with people from the local music industry.

£3 on the door.

Southend YMCA is launching a brand new music networking portal and new music projects for young people.

The first live music event is on August 8th at The Railway Hotel, Southend On Sea at 8pm.

Mark James head of music services at Southend YMCA, explained, "The music portal is a network providing a platform for industry professionals, music service providers, music tutors and educators, young people and parents in South East Essex to connect and share resources and news of music related educational and learn about creative opportunities in the region.

"For many children, out of school activities such as music lessons are all part of their every day life experience but in these days of austerity, job losses and high unemployment, many families simply cannot afford music lessons.

"Thanks to the generosity of our supporters at Switch2 Music, Youth Music, we will provide music lessons and a variety of programmes designed to offer life enhancing creative activities to those young people who may never have had the chance to engage with music due to poverty, circumstance or simply lack of opportunity."

Southend YMCA has created four new programmes Y-Harmony, Y-Connect, Y-Flow and Virtuoso. Collectively the projects offer FREE music tuition, composition advice, rehearsal and recording facilities, band development and lyric writing classes. Whatever style of music young people are into, from rap and dubstep to classical or dance, Southend YMCA can support, encourage and nurture their musical interests.

Young people, parents, music teachers, referring organisations and anyone interested in finding out more is invited to join us at our launch event on August 8th. There's a great line up headlined by reggae band Little Dog and including some of our young acts Emma Grottick and The Rikka Beez, it'll be a chance to hear some great music and network with others in the local related industries.

Young people in bands or wanting to make music are also welcome and the Southend YMCA music team will all be around to answer any questions and advise.

There's a token charge of £3 for the public and guest list entry for prospective volunteers and referring organisations.

To be added top the guest list or find out more about our music programmes, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

16 August 2011

In the afternoon of Tuesday 16th August 2011 (and well into the evening) Sam Duckworth (aka Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) was at Switch Studio recording a track with students on the Switch Music course.

The recording session followed on from our Music Advice Panel in April at Chinnerys music venue, when a panel of industry experts, including Sam, parted with their advice for the audience.

Following the panel, Switch students played sets to the audience which Sam stuck around for. Impressed with the quality of the acts, he offered to come to Southend YMCA to produce a track with some students.

Below are the pictures and updates as the night unfolded.