Solihull Youth Justice Service
This Music Production programme is a partnerhip between MAC Makes Music, Solihul Music and Solihull Youth Justice Service. The aim is to support young people within Solihull’s Youth Justice Service to access and benefit from creative musical opportunities. MAC Makes Music leaders deliver one-to-one sessions in local community setings that are built around the young peoples’ interests, abilities and needs, and underpinned by the Youth Music Quality Framework. At the end of the programme, participants have the opportunity to visit MAC's Recording Studio and record their own track in a professional environment.
Aims of the partnership
To increase access to creative music making opportunities for children and young people who currently face barriers to doing so.
To develop new approaches, resources and skills that support and embed musical inclusion.
To work towards a sustainable model of high quality, creative, inclusive music education for all children and young people.
Aims of the SYOS Music Pilot
Develop the creative, expressive and musical skills of children and young people.
Improve self-efficacy and self-esteem (skills, engagement and self-confidence).
Encourage participation of pupils who have not previously engaged.
Phase 1 | March - May 2021
An initial trial was launched in March 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, the pilot began with two short introductory sessions online, and then moved to face-to-face delivery.
Number of participants: 5
Online introductory sessions: 11
Face-to-face music-making sesions: 20
"I know K really enjoyed working with you. Just want to thank you for taking time with K and showing him a different way of looking at life. People like yourself and other people that have worked with K will definitely help me with directing him down the right road again, thanks."
- Parent
Phase 2 | June - September 2021
After the success of the first pilot, phase 2 explored ways to continue to support young people within Solihull’s Youth Justice Service to access and benefit from creative musical opportunities.
Number of participants: 7
Face-to-face music-making sesions: 25
“I helped A get on to a Gallery 37 course! He was one of 8 that got chosen and he’ll be doing a two-week vocal course where he’ll learn about the industry and get to meet some cool people too. This will really help him take his music further, and I’m going to stay in touch with him and help him along the way too.”
- Music Leader
Phase 3 | December 2021 - February 2022
In phase 3 we began streamlining the model by offering regular blocks of time with the music leaders at Kingshurst Library and Hatchford Brook Youth Centre. At the end of the programme participants were invited to record their tracks at Oxygen Rooms studio in Birmingham.
Number of participants: 6
Music-making sesions: 37
Professional studio sessions: 4
"The studio session was fun. It was exciting to come to the studio."
- Participant
Phase 4 | October - December 2022
In phase 4, participants had the opportunity to work with two different Music Leaders, each with a different specialism. Omar Dickson offered beatmaking and production, Sam McPherson offered lyric writing, and Dan Cippico brought electronic instruments and music technology expertise. At the end of this phase, we were able to invite participants to record their tracks in MAC's newly opened Recording Studio!
Number of participants: 6
Music-making sesions: 40
Professional studio sessions: 3
“Young person would go home and write lyrics outside of the sessions. Mentors supported in challenging some lyrics that may be deemed negative and supported to consider other ways to express thoughts and feelings.”
– Youth Officer
Other Comments & Outcomes
“I got to go to the studio. It was very positive, everything was perfect. I would like to have more time in the studio and that environment. I am avid about music and I believe Music Leader OM showed me a great side to music. OM got me interested in another side of music that I didn’t really know about. He got me interested in a new form of music. I like freestyle rapping and for me this is something that I do. I have been trying to get into a studio, so this option made it happen. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was brilliant. I would love to have more sessions”. - Young Person
One young person got on so well with the programme, that their SYOS Officer submitted them for a Koestler Award. The Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice started in 1962 and each year over 3,500 people in custody and in the community share their creative work by taking part. Participant C has completed 2 tracks on the MAC Makes Music programme, and it is one of these tracks that has been submitted for the award.
“I helped A get on to a Gallery 37 course! He was one of 8 that got chosen and he’ll be doing a two-week vocal course where he’ll learn about the industry and get to meet some cool people too. This will really help him take his music further, and I’m going to stay in touch with him and help him along the way too.” - Music Leader
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