Global music giants Coldplay recently made a donation to support Frome’s young musicians after using the Cheese and Grain earlier this year to rehearse their headline set for Glastonbury Festival.
Following their electrifying performance at Glastonbury Festival to a massive live audience and millions of viewers worldwide, Coldplay, as a gesture of thanks to the Frome area, made a ‘generous’ donation. This contribution will help open the Cheese and Grain’s recording facility, The Bert Jansch Studio, to local young people aged 12 to 18.
In a further show of support, Coldplay purchased all copies of their own records and CDs at Frome’s record shop, Raves from the Grave, signed each item, and returned them for auction, with all proceeds going directly to support this initiative for young musicians.
“This unique partnership has allowed the Cheese and Grain, in collaboration with local youth charity Young People Frome, to launch the Bert Jansch Studio Music Development Programme for Young People,” explained director of the Cheese and Grain, Steve Macarthur.
“Beginning in January, the programme will offer monthly sessions on Sundays, giving young, aspiring musicians, schools, and youth clubs an extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic of a professional recording studio. The first four sessions will focus on helping young musicians work together as an ensemble, explore creativity, and gain essential skills in managing studio time to achieve polished results.”
Later in the year, in May, June and September, the programme will partner with local primary and secondary schools to provide students, regardless of musical background, the chance to try their hand in a professional recording environment.
The July, October and November sessions will open doors for young people who are not currently in education, employment, or training, offering them a transformative experience in a high-quality music studio.
Sessions will be overseen by James Brookes, a qualified youth worker, who will assign applicants to the most suitable sessions and provide support to all participants throughout.
Coordinator at Young People Frome, Azeema Caffoor, says that while the sessions are free, booking is required in advance due to high demand.
For more information, young people and their families can visit the Young People Frome website (www.youngpeoplefrome.com) or follow updates on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YoungPeopleFrome/).
For booking enquiries, contact James Brookes at jamesbrookes@youngpeoplefrome.onmicrosoft.com.
