“Our voices are crucial because we are the ones who will inherit the future”

Learning

Case Study: E

E is 16 years old. When we first started working with E through Reverberate, she had many ideas but lacked the confidence to take herself seriously, preferring instead to laugh and make jokes. Throughout the duration of this project, her belief in the importance of her voice has grown significantly, and she has become one of the most engaged members of the group.

E’s leadership qualities have also developed, and she has become instrumental in running the sessions. She helps organise other young people and enjoys taking charge by helping write notes and more. In the final performance at The Glasshouse, E assisted by compering the event, an activity she couldn’t have taken seriously nine months prior. She also volunteered to be interviewed for evaluation, where she stated that Reverberate has “taught us more about music and how we can improve music more than it already is.” She also emphasised that youth voice is important “because you can hear from the youth themselves instead of from the adults. The youth...experience firsthand both the advantages and disadvantages of things such as music provision.”

E has influenced the project through her leadership qualities, helping to hold the group together and encouraging others to participate in group discussions. She has provided much-needed humour and lightness to the group. E contributed by helping choose the music and workshops for the Glasshouse event and gave valuable feedback on the Music Hub’s aims and goals.

I believe this project has had a positive impact on E, allowing her to see herself as someone who can be serious and achieve great things. It has provided her with opportunities for public speaking and event organization, as well as to lead meetings, be part of a board, and experience live music for free.

Case Study: H

H is 14 years old. When we first started working with H, he would look to others before making decisions. Throughout the project, he has found his own voice significantly. Reverberate has provided a place where he can safely experiment with who he is, from the music he likes and plays to his identity. H has been given the opportunity to attend various music events and perform at The Glasshouse. He also volunteered to compere, opening the night by walking on stage and shouting, “Hello, ya little radgies!” which the year 6’s loved. He described Reverberate as a place that “accepts all people for what they want to do and what they are.”

H has influenced the project through his contributions to the Youth Voice toolkit, his opinions on what we should do for The Glasshouse event, and his generally kind and positive presence.

I believe this project has had a positive impact on H, helping him find his own voice and try out things he might not be able to in other spaces. He has also had the experience of being part of an official Youth Advisory Board for the council, as well as experiencing live music events and performing at The Glasshouse.

The Musical Youth Revolution event was a highlight of the project, bringing together a diverse group of artists from across the North East to deliver dynamic workshops and performances. Children and schools from across Gateshead participated in various workshops, including:

• Steel pan

• DJing

• Music production

• Rapping

• West African drumming

• Funky brass

Participants also experienced a live gig in Sage One featuring performances by Kema Kay, Kay Greyson, Dilutey Juice, and The Expired, a youth rock band formed by Reverberate members. The event not only provided hands-on musical experiences but also inspired young attendees through live performances by professional artists. The event highlighted the importance of inclusive music making on engagement levels of children when making music.

Embedding Youth Voice

One of the significant achievements of the project was embedding youth voice across the Music Hub's activities. This was exemplified by the creation of a Youth Voice Toolkit for schools, leading to the appointment of young music ambassadors in 10 primary schools across Gateshead. Additionally, the music service staff benefited from Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions led by experienced artists who prioritise youth voice and inclusion in their practice.

Research and Best Practices

As part of the Musical Youth Revolution project, we sought to understand best practices for youth voice engagement from across the country. We studied the work of leading organisations such as the Roundhouse and Sound Connections, specifically examining their Music Lab toolkit. These insights provided a valuable foundation for shaping our approach to youth involvement.

Engaging Diverse Groups

Our work with schools, particularly in sessions with Hilltop and Cedars, focused on including students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This experience underscored the importance of tailoring approaches to meet the specific needs of diverse groups of young people. Effective youth consultation and involvement require significant time, resources, and meticulous attention to detail. A one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate, especially when working with marginalised groups.

Practical Learnings

One key learning for our organisation involved the process of obtaining digital consent forms. We discovered that parents often need support in filling out these forms, and we realised that many aspects of accessing music education rely on form completion, which assumes a level of accessibility that is not always present. This insight has prompted us to rethink our approach to administrative processes to ensure they are more inclusive.

Youth Voice Toolkit

The research conducted throughout the project enabled us to develop a Youth Voice Toolkit for teachers and the music education workforce across the Northeast. This toolkit focuses on ice breakers and games, alongside communication styles, designed to enhance participation and engagement. By providing practical tools and strategies, we aim to support educators in fostering a more inclusive and responsive music education environment.

Insights from Reverberate

The most significant learning for the Music Hub came from Reverberate, our youth advisory board. Their feedback and ideas were instrumental in shaping our understanding of accessibility and engagement. Reverberate members highlighted the importance of making music events more youth-friendly, suggesting gigs specifically aimed at young people and ensuring that venues feel safe and welcoming. They also proposed organising open mic nights for youth bands, which would provide valuable performance opportunities and foster a sense of community among young musicians.

This learning section emphasizes the critical insights gained through the Musical Youth Revolution project, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches, inclusive practices, and the invaluable contributions of our youth advisory board, Reverberate.

Reflection and Adaptation

Reflection Process

Throughout the Musical Youth Revolution project, reflection and adaptation were integral to our approach. We established a comprehensive system to gather feedback and insights, ensuring continuous improvement in all aspects of the project.

Quarterly Reflection Meetings 
We held quarterly reflection meetings with our delivery partners, providing a structured space to review progress, discuss challenges, and identify areas for improvement. These meetings facilitated open communication and collaboration, allowing us to address issues promptly and effectively.

Monthly Reflection Diaries  
Staff members were encouraged to fill out monthly reflection diaries. These diaries served as a tool for personal and professional growth, enabling staff to document their experiences, reflect on their practices, and share insights on how to enhance the music hub's offerings.

Reverberate Session Reflections 
At the end of each session, members of Reverberate provided reflections on their experiences. Their feedback was invaluable, offering a youth perspective on the effectiveness of our activities and highlighting areas where adjustments were needed.

Final Evaluation Meeting
A final evaluation meeting was held with partners and staff to consolidate all the reflections gathered over the course of the project. This meeting allowed us to synthesize our findings and develop a cohesive plan for future improvements.

Gathering and Analysing Feedback

We collected a wealth of information aimed at improving the overall music hub offer, understanding the personal growth of staff and participants, and refining the operational side of delivery. The majority of this information was narrative, as we believed this approach would most effectively capture the nuances of development and progression.

Surveys from Participating Schools 
We surveyed the schools that participated in the Musical Youth Revolution event, asking them to reflect on their experiences. Questions focused on what they enjoyed, what they wished could have been different, how they felt during the project, and what they would like to experience more of in the future.

Qualitative Data Analysis 
The strength of our reflective process was the rich qualitative data it produced. By collecting narrative feedback, we were able to delve deeply into nuanced responses, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the impact of our activities. This approach, while more time-consuming than simple questionnaires or tick-box surveys, provided valuable insights that were crucial for meaningful development and adaptation.

Outcomes of Reflection

The reflective process led to significant improvements in various areas:

• Music Hub Offer: Schools identified a desire for more live music experiences and opportunities to explore music technology. They valued having such a diverse set of workshops at the Glasshouse.

• Personal Growth: Staff development focused on building confidence, understanding safeguarding best practices, and producing events. Participants showed significant development in social and emotional maturity and improved oracy skills.

• Operational Improvements: We created flow maps to support project planning and to help new staff understand how to manage events effectively. The project was adapted to allow the hub lead to provide more direct support, building confidence in staff who were new in their roles.

Reflecting and adapting throughout the project allowed us to stay responsive to the needs of our community and ensure that the Musical Youth Revolution project remained impactful and relevant.

Next Steps and Legacy

The project has laid a strong foundation for the continued involvement of youth in the Music Hub's activities. The next steps and legacy plans include:

- Seeking funds to support the ongoing monthly meetings of Reverberate.
- Expanding youth voice activities across the newly formed North East Music Hub.
- Securing funding to run the Musical Youth Revolution event annually, in partnership with the Glasshouse ICM and Gem Arts.

The Musical Youth Revolution project has made significant strides in empowering young people and embedding their voices in the Music Hub's operations. The positive impacts on participants and the broader community underscore the importance of continuing this vital work.