In weekly music sessions with a team of skilled Emerging Music Leaders, young people developed their performance and composition skills, alongside their confidence, and entrepreneurial abilities, so that they could take on the challenge of compering, marketing, designing and management of their very own event. 

One student remarked how the programme had opened their eyes to the diversity and variety of creative careers available: “I used to just perform and then just not really think about all priorities, and ever since Evolve, it’s been like, oh, so that works like that. And yeah, like seeing all the different sides to it.” Pembroke Academy Student  

“We’re collaborating on songs together, it’s not just working together in a classroom. We’re actually producing together. And if [others] were doing their own solos as well, they’re asking other people to help out with it.” Walton Academy Student 

In addition to skills development and raising ambitions; the programme also contributed to better health, social cohesion and wellbeing outcomes for young people. A student from Lincoln Castle Academy stated, “as a group it sort of brings us closer to each other, especially since when we work together we get to know each other and we also we combined our skills together.” Evolve helped forge connections and build skills and friendships for those taking part. 

As the home for the next generation of artists and artistic ideas, we continue to look for further opportunities to involve students and young people of all ages within our programme through arts and non-arts partnerships to be able to deliver impactful programmes. 

Thank you to Youth Music for trusting us to deliver this ambitious programme. Thank you to Adam Perkins, the project coordinator that has now secured a role with Associate Artists Zest. Thank you to all our Emerging Music Leaders who have developed their facilitation skills and continue to do great work in the sector locally, such as securing roles in local music charities. The impact of the Evolve programme continues to be felt.