Young people in Wales launch films to share their experiences of music making and learning

Twelve young people with diverse musical experiences and backgrounds from across Wales have been helping youth music charity Anthem to shape its future, culminating in the launch of two films and a new website at www.anthem.wales.

The twelve young people, aged 18-25, represent a range of musical genres and experiences, including singer/songwriters, classical instrumentalists, rock musicians, a rapper, music producers and people working in the music industry.

The Anthem Youth Forum met weekly from early February, working with the Anthem CEO, board, and freelance team, to create digital stories about their experiences of music making and learning in Wales, and act as advisors for the relaunch of the Anthem brand and website.  Their work culminated in helping the Beacons (Forte Project) team to curate Summit, and online event for young music makers in Wales that took place in April.

The films will help Anthem to raise awareness of the need for support and funding for young people aged 3-25 to learn and make music in Wales, and to attract donors, funders and partners as part of its fundraising strategy.

The work builds on a wider youth consultation which took place between May and June 2020 – the report and a summary graphic are available on the website.

The Youth Forum are:

• Andrew Ogun – musician, writer, creative director and activist
• Archie Howat – music producer, runs recording studio and releases own music
• Blank Face (Joshua Whyte) – singer/songwriter
• Charys Bestley – freelance events assistant, show rep and photographer
• Chloe Jane Lovell – violinist, orchestra member, first year Music student, Cardiff University
• Dafydd Griffiths – band member (guitar), music student at Ebbw Vale college
• Ella Pearson – oboist, 3rd year Music Performance student at Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
• Gabriel Bernal – electronic music producer, Music Business student, University of South Wales
• James Prendergast – live events promoter, radio show presenter, artist manager
• Kyle Jones / Qye – music producer, pianist, guitarist
• Mr X – makes, writes and produces music, studies with Forget-Me-Not-Productions
• Tayla-Leigh Payne – composer and final year Composition student at RWCMD

Find out more:
Watch the Introducing Anthem film

Watch the Youth Forum 2021 film

About Anthem

 Anthem is here to support young people in Wales to make, learn and celebrate music, and to experience the life-changing benefits that brings. Anthem. Music Fund Wales Cronfa Gerdd Cymru was established in 2018 following a Welsh Government report exploring ways to support young people’s music making and learning in Wales.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales

Mae Anthem yma i gynorthwyo pobl ifanc yng Nghymru i greu, dysgu a dathlu cerddoriaeth, a phrofi’r manteision a all newid bywydau. Sefydlwyd Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru yn 2018 yn dilyn adroddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru a oedd yn archwilio ffyrdd i gynorthwyo pobl ifanc i ddysgu a chreu cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru. Cewch fwy o wybodaeth fan yma: www.anthem.wales