A music project which has helped thousands of young Cumbrians to realise their musical ambitions is to mark its growth into a fully-fledged social enterprise later this week.
On Thursday 25 October, young musicians will be descending on Whitehaven's Civic Hall to celebrate Soundwave's progress from a Cumbria County Council led youth music project to an all-singing, all-dancing not-for-profit company.
Founded in 2005 to develop a Youth Music Action Zone for Cumbria, Soundwave provides performance, rehearsal and recording opportunities for young people in Cumbria.
Some of the groups who have received support from Soundwave to achieve their musical dreams will be taking to the stage at Thursday's event. Photographers are invited to capture some of the live action from 6:30pm.
Cumbria County Council's cultural development officer Carol Leathley, said: "The Soundwave project has grown into something beyond all our expectations.
"The development of the project into a social enterprise opens up even more opportunities for arts and music making to be developed in Cumbria and marks the end of the county council's management role in what has been a successful partnership. The county council will continue to support the company with advice and officer time as it develops in the future.
"Thanks to the young people involved, their families and our community musicians this project has enabled young people to try out song-writing, music technology, singing, composition and drumming, festival stage planning and a host of other creative skills.
"Led by its inspirational director Dave Camlin, the Soundwave project has been at the forefront of lobbying efforts for more local music-making opportunities.
"New creative ideas and ways of working need support, physical space to grow, equipment, expertise, finance, and a huge commitment from those involved. Everyone involved in Soundwave has gone the extra mile to make that happen."
Soundwave has been funded by Cumbria County Council, Youth Music and the county's six district councils. For more information on Soundwave visit www.sound-wave.info (external link)
Details on this and other Cumbria County Council arts activity can be found at www.cumbria-artefacts.org.uk (external link)
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