Music Connects recognised for national award

Surrey Music Hub, lead by Surrey Arts, and in partnership with Big Leaf Surrey were runners up in the Outstanding Music Initiative category at the Music and Drama Education Awards in February for the Music Connects project.

Music Connects, which received a Highly Commended Certificate, is a songwriting project which started in 2020 and is designed to bring together displaced young people living in Surrey, local young people and musicians in order to share life stories, make new music and build friendships and understanding.

Sarah Lee, Surrey Arts Head of Service said 'We are delighted that the judges recognised the impact of our project and the potential for future development'

Project Lead Jim Pinchen added 'I'm so delighted that the talents and courage of young people have been recognised at this prestigious national event. Special thanks to our incredible music tutors and our colleagues at Big Leaf Foundation for making this project such a huge success!"

Music Connects delivered two residential music workshops, the first taking place at the Surrey Outdoor Learning Centre in October 2021, and the second taking place over a weekend at Jamie's Farm in the hills of Herefordshire in May 2022. Following this the participants then performed their new song "I Will Find My Way" to a live audience on Sunday 26 June 2022 at London's iconic Union Chapel.

The project was also supported with funding from Youth Music.