Jeremy Clay, Orchestras Live trustee, writes on his experience visiting Young Creatives in Corby, where young people worked with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to explore their own musical ideas.

He reflects on how projects like this break down barriers to access, nurture confidence, and show the power of meeting young people where they are.

One of the things which drew me to become a trustee at Orchestras Live was the issue of social justice – in particular access to cultural opportunities for children and young people. As a music educator and practitioner I love being able to support an organisation which cares passionately about access to high-quality musical opportunities. Earlier this summer, I visited a project which is really trying to make a difference.

Young Creatives is a project delivered as a partnership between Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Deep Roots, Tall Trees and Orchestras Live in Corby. This type of project is one of my favourites – time for young musicians to explore their creative voice in practical music sessions alongside professional musicians.

Right from the start the workshop leader Yvette Riby-Williams set the tone, creating a relaxed environment where the participants felt comfortable to share ideas and collaborate together. Her chilled-out approach ensured that no-one was scared to come forward with their thoughts. The RPO musicians supported musically, helping the young people realise and develop their musical and creative ideas. They were down to earth, supportive and did some great listening to the participants.

The young people embraced the idea of the session, clearly feeling that their ideas were valued. We can too often miss opportunities to meaningfully engage with participants by focusing too much on the artistic content of a programme (directed from the organisation) and not enough of the artistic voice of young people – but this project is getting it right.

[A slight aside: one young participant didn’t seem sure what instrument to play, and the team just happened to have a trumpet on board the van, so she started playing that and took to it like a duck to water. I hear she now has been given a trumpet to continue learning. (Arts organisations and funders talk a lot about impact – here it is!)]

Why do projects like this matter? In places like the estate in Corby where Deep Roots, Tall Trees is running this programme, access to cultural opportunities is limited and young people face barriers to engaging with music in meaningful ways. Projects in the community bypass financial and travel barriers, meeting young people where they are and engaging them on their own level.

I work a lot in these settings, and I came away from my brief visit to the Corby Young Creatives project feeling inspired and with some thoughts to take into my own practice.

What can you do to support the creative aspirations of young people in your community?