Djing sessions strike a chord with young music makers in Milton Keynes
Children and young people in Milton Keynes are being given the opportunity to get creative through DJing and music production.
The initiative is thanks to a Milton Keynes City Council partnership with Bucks-based organisation, On the Decks, which runs free sessions at council Family Centres, giving hundreds of young people hands-on experience of professional DJ equipment with support from experienced tutors.
The sessions combine DJing with creative challenges and music-based activities, helping young people develop new skills, build confidence and express themselves through music.
They are also accessible to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Activities can be adapted around individual needs while the visual, practical nature of DJing gives young people different ways to engage through sound, movement, technology and creativity.
On the Decks is also running free weekly after-school clubs at the City Council’s Saplings, Hedgerows and Hummingbird Family Centres with plans to offer assemblies, workshops and music production programmes in schools across Milton Keynes. It is one of the city council’s ‘Safe Practice Mark’ accredited organisations.
Councillor Peter Cannon, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Music is a fantastic way for young people to express themselves, build their confidence and discover new interests. It’s great to be working with On the Decks to bring something a little different into our Family Centres, particularly as these sessions can be adapted so children and young people with additional needs can get involved and enjoy them too. We’re keen to build on this partnership and help even more young people across Milton Keynes explore their creativity and develop new skills.”
Will Hardisty, owner and chief executive of On the Decks, added: “Working with Milton Keynes City Council has been a fantastic opportunity to bring modern music education and DJing directly into local communities. Through our sessions, with a massive thanks and help from the team at “Noise”, we've helped children and young people build confidence, develop new skills and express themselves creatively, particularly those who can sometimes find more traditional settings challenging. Our ambition now is to reach more young people across Milton Keynes by working with schools and community settings and making DJing and music production as accessible as possible."
On the Decks is hosting a student showcase at Unit Nine in Wolverton on Sunday, September 20, where students will perform alongside open-deck sessions giving children and young people the chance to try DJing with support from tutors. Free tickets are available through Skiddle.
The City Council’s Family Centres offer activities, advice and support for people of all ages, including extended support for those with additional needs. Find out more here .