The London Music Fund and YouTube Music have named the five latest organisations which will receive funding from Amplify London, now in its second year. The fund, launched in February 2020, supports young musicians and artists through working with community-focussed music projects across the capital.
Four of Amplify’s first five projects are currently active, having been delayed or extended due to Covid-19. The second cohort of projects will be taking place between May and November 2021, with all ten projects due to be completed and evaluated by the end of the year. New awardees include a samba drumming project, an online digital music course and a six-month-long artist development programme.
All five funded projects will receive support and professional advice on monitoring & evaluation as well as funding. This will be provided by youth music charity Sound Connections. YouTube Music will offer 1:1 training with the organisations and young people involved in the projects and involve artists from the industry in masterclasses.
Jennie Cashman Wilson of the Abram Wilson Foundation, which will begin their project this month, said: ‘We are thrilled to be one of the five organisations awarded with a project grant in round 2 of Amplify London. This funding will make a real difference both for the young people we work with on Future Sound and for us as an organisation. It’s wonderful to have some positive news as we emerge from the last 12 months – we are really excited to be working with the London Music Fund and YouTube Music.’
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Patron of the London Music Fund, said: ‘Supporting the next generation of Londoners is a major priority for my administration and I’m delighted that The London Music Fund and YouTube Music are providing even more opportunities for young people across the capital. Music has the power to inspire and transform lives and thanks to this funding these community groups and organisations will be able to play their role in helping our young people to realise their potential.’
Chrissy Kinsella, CEO of the London Music Fund, said: ‘We are thrilled to be announcing the next five projects to be supported by Amplify London, after a difficult year for all. London’s young people will be among those most adversely affected by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we passionately believe that they deserve all opportunities to achieve their aspirations in the coming years.’
Christina Matteotti, Head of Music, EMEA Partnerships at Google, said:
‘YouTube Music is committed to helping young creatives develop their skills, and we are delighted to be working with the London Music Fund to support these five projects, through Amplify London. The next generation of talent deserves opportunities to thrive, and we know these are not always easy to come by. In supporting these projects, we hope to offer a platform for young people across London, to enable them to pursue their passion.’
Amplify London’s second cohort of organisations and their projects
- The Abram Wilson Foundation’s Future Sound project will enable 30 young people from Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney to access high quality, interactive, digital music education. The project will comprise professionally shot and edited video content, live webinar sessions and virtual song-writing coaching sessions.
- CDR (Create Define Release) will run Music Producer Club – Synthesize London during October 2021 half term in Newham. 15 young people will take part in a five-day intensive music technology and production course, producing an album using self-made digital instruments and synthesised sounds inspired by the local environment.
- Kids On The Green, which originated as a response to the Grenfell fire in 2017, will deliver a six-month Artist Development Programme. This will give 15 talented artists aged 19-21 the chance to develop their skills, mentored by industry professionals in a local and supportive setting.
- Progression Sessions will collaborate with Boiler Room for the Beats and Vision project in Hackney this autumn. 10 young emerging artists will be mentored by professionals to create a track with a supporting music video, strengthening their portfolios and online presence.
- South London Samba will work with 45 young drummers in Bellingham, Lewisham this summer. SLS Fellowship Drummers will provide young drummers (aged 11-17) with training, mentoring and positive role models, whilst giving five youth drummers (aged 18-21) professional training and experience facilitating workshops.
