Children's Fun Music Activities Planned For East Sussex This Summer

The service that teaches music to young people in East Sussex has planned a summer programme of events, at no cost to families where children receive benefit-related free school meals.

East Sussex Music said it's created a sequence of "Holiday Food and Fun Workshops" for Heathfield, Lewes and Bexhill — with advance booking closing this Friday (July 16).

These particular courses, free for families receiving benefit-related free school meals, have been described by the service as a "core component" of its mission "to make music accessible for as many young people as possible."

They add to events in the rest of the summer holidays, along with those at Easter and Christmas, and form part of the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food scheme, with vital funding provided by East Sussex County Council.

The service said its staff will give primary and secondary school children the opportunity to learn what it takes to create and perform a song using drum kits, guitars, keyboards and vocals.

Training and advice will come from East Sussex Music’s professional team of teachers.

There will also be food provided for the duration of the courses.

In Bexhill-on-Sea, the programme will take place at the Bexhill Museum and the De La Warr Pavilion on 26-29 July and 2-5 August, focusing on creative music, arts and heritage activities for primary school pupils aged 8-11 years old.

Across the same dates in Lewes, what the service called "lively" Rock and Pop workshops will be happening at the Performing Arts Centre, aimed at secondary school children aged 11-14 years old.

Later on in the month on 16-19 and 23-26 August, Rock and Pop workshops for secondary school pupils aged 11-14 years old also take place at Heathfield Community College.

At Easter, one parent said:

“A big thank you to the organisers and leaders on this course.

"I've just spoken to James and he said it was a really fun day and he enjoyed it.

"I'm so happy and grateful as he really needed something to get him out meeting other kids and sharing music."

Emma Collins, Learning & Partnerships Manager for East Sussex Music, commented: 

“It really is a pure delight to be able to run these workshops over the school holidays.

"Learning music is an essential part of child development and a great way to have fun.

"There are endless positive benefits it can have on young people’s lives.

"Many people have been hit hard over the past year with lockdown, so providing meals is also a great support to those who may need it.”

East Sussex Music has more information on its website, https://www.eastsussexmusic.org and can be called on 01273 261 540.