BUILDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES – Focus#5 project (this programme is now closed)
Sound Gallery CIC is a specialist delivery partner in the #Focus5 Project which is funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. Led by CSW Group.
The #Focus5 project provides in-depth support to young people aged 15-18 across the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area to move towards education, employment and training.
Sound Gallery’s role in this project is to provide music-making activities in order to re-engage young people with the outside world, increase their confidence and employability skills and to help them to reach their full potential in life.
recording studio experiences
The recording studio is an intimate, creative space designed to encourage participants to express themselves and record their musical ideas, lyrics and vocals under the guidance of our experienced studio engineer.
Participants may bring their own instruments (guitars, bass etc), we also have a drum kit and keyboard available for hire as part of the session.
music production sessions
We provide young people with the skills they need to create and produce their own music using Computer/tablet technology. Whether it be contemporary electronic and dance music, traditionally recorded songs or a combination of the two. Using any of the many Digital Audio Workstations and software, Logic Pro, Pro-Tools, Ableton Live, etc. we aim to inspire young people to create, record and produce their own music. We can explore all areas of the Music Production process, including song writing, recording techniques, programming loops and beats, sound design, sampling, mixing and mastering.
Music industry advice sessions
As part of a young person’s musical journey, learning about the music industry and how to promote their music on the internet and via social media platforms can be a daunting task. Thanks to our association with Integrity Records, one of the U.K.’s longest running truly independent record labels we offer music industry advice sessions on copyright, marketing and promotion, sustaining a career in the music industry, pitching your music to the industry and more as part of this programme.
SUCCESS STORIES
‘Pink is a #Focus5 participant who due to a number of issues including the impact of Covid 19 had stopped going out and was spending most of their time on their own in their room. Pink started writing songs using a ukulele and was given a guitar last Christmas which they taught themself to play
Becoming a voice over actor is Ben’s dream and he got to experience this when he stepped into the recording studio at the Sound Gallery in Exeter.
Emily was referred to #Focus5 after her mum wanted to help her build her confidence and to have a greater understanding of her options after school.
testimonials
Sound Gallery provide support to our participants by providing them with a supportive and understanding environment for them to explore an area of interest and grow as an individual. Participants gain confidence, a sense of achievement, communication skills, increased self esteem and self worth alongside their exploration of music and sound, and the skills they learn from the activities they undertake. Providing a safe, accepting space is vital in engaging with our vulnerable young people, and Sound Gallery provide just such a space. Their excellent work and ongoing support of the project has been and continue to be really valuable’ (Nee Bedford, Contract Manager, #FOCUS5, CSW GROUP LTD)
I have found #Focus5 very helpful. I don’t think I would be in the position I am now without the support of my key worker. I feel the support I have received should be made widely available to all young people.’
’It was fun but I also got a lot of experience. I learned more about what sounds good in a whole composition and how different this is to just singing and playing guitar. ‘ Pink
