MUSIC 4 U NEWS

We’ve Come A Long, Long Way TOGETHER!

On 12th December 2023, Music 4 U turned 18, and those Fatboy Slim lyrics have never felt more appropriate! The atmosphere in The Ivories Coffee Shop was absolutely electric as we celebrated this important milestone in the charity’s history.

The drinks were flowing, the pineapple on sticks went down a treat, and of course, there was music, music and more music!

It was such a joy to watch our participants, families, and supporters sing their hearts out, laugh and have fun together throughout the night. Thank you so much for coming!

It’s hard to believe it’s been eighteen years since that special letter from OSCR hit the doormat and we officially became a Scottish Charity!

Music 4 U began because we noticed a barrier to the performing arts. Schools had begun governing their own budgets, and in a bid to achieve more academically, subjects like music and the arts were the first to go.

Another sad fact was that children from challenging backgrounds and those with additional support needs were locked out of traditional music and performance classes. And yet, we knew these children were the ones who would benefit the most from being able to express themselves in a judgement-free environment.

To say we started from humble beginnings is an understatement.

We managed to secure a base in Dyce with the help of the local church, which gave us a room for one hour each week. From there, we set up a singing club. We made some flyers and dropped them off at local primary schools. Within a fortnight, 14 youngsters had signed up, and Music Makers was born, which was one day to become Music 4 U. With one CD, a notebook, a handful of percussion instruments, lots of enthusiasm and a great deal of determination, we were off to a strong start!

The appetite for what we were doing was there. Budding young singers attended regularly, and they were hungry for more. Watching children with additional support needs and those who were just a little shy come into their own was a privilege. Pretty quickly, we realised that not only were we helping these young people to develop a routine, grow in confidence, and express themselves amongst their peers, but we were also supporting their extended families.

Many of our young participants came from lone parent families. Mums, Dads and Guardians were all benefiting from the support and from seeing their children and young people funnel their energy in such a positive way. It was having a wonderful effect. We grew strong relationships in the community. The legacy of which lasts to this day, and we STILL have some of our original members!

In December 2005, Music Makers became Music 4 U and a registered charity in Scotland!

To date, we have secured funding from the People's Postcode Lottery Community Fund, the National Lottery People’s Project, BBC Children in Need and many more. This funding allowed us to extend all our projects, and our participants have also been able to take part in hundreds of public performances!

None of this would be possible without the support of the team we have built.

Our incredible tutors and management team work tirelessly to adapt and improve what we do. We are learning all the time, and occasionally, we have to pause and reflect on where we have come from and where it is all going.

Still, the core mission of Music 4 U is the same - to be recognised as a provider of innovative, person-centred opportunities within the performing arts.