Sound Gallery was originally founded in 2000 as a not for profit organisation by London born singer-songwriter and social entrepreneur Jim Peters (GRICE) with support from the Elmgrant Trust and Lord Young (Open University).

This new venture gained momentum and attracted a dedicated and passionate team of musicians and friends including Marie Belsten (CRAMP), Jez Taylor (Playback Theatre), Paul Bateman (Jackdaw Music), Alexander Marchant (Veil Cassini), Aleksis Gailans, Maria Peters and Jo Gedrych who channelled their enthusiasm and talents into organising small festivals, live music showcases (Phoenixsounds), multi-media projects and events (Virtual Vincenzo, New works for lost Voices) and music enrichment and training programmes for young people (COBRA, ERA, Moonmaths). 

In 2007 Sound Gallery became a community interest company and in 2008, after securing a 3-year grant from the National Youth Volunteering Charity (Vinvolved project), Sound Gallery CIC took up residence in the basement at Exeter Phoenix where the team built a recording studio and rehearsal facilities with support from Exeter Phoenix and ECC. Since then the team has designed and delivered innovative multi-media events and projects (Virtual Vincenzo, New Works for Lost Voices) and music industry networking events such as the State of the Arts event and the Analogue to Digital Music Expo.

As a result of the passion and dedication of its founders Sound Gallery has been providing professional audio recording services and state-of-the art facilities for musicians and young people to help them create original musical works and to reach new audiences. We have forged strong links with the music industry, arts organisations, businesses, schools, colleges, local authorities and our local community of musicians and music industry professionals.

During lockdown and as a result of the team’s resolve to survive amidst the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry and other challenges, Sound Gallery was successful in securing funding from the Exeter Covid-19 Community Action Fund, Devon Community Foundation, Arts Council England (Emergency Response Fund & Culture Recovery Fund) and the UK Youth Fund-Covid Resilience (UK Youth & Julia & Hans Rausing Trust) to help us to continue to offer creative & training opportunities for musicians and young people.

We look forward to the future and we remain inspired and positive for the present, continuing to make music and helping others to realise their musical dreams.