Aberdeen FC to host free music making workshops for young people

After a highly successful first year, SPL Music Box is returning to Aberdeen FC.

To launch the start of this year’s Music Box, Aberdeen FC Manager, Derek McInnes, and Assistant Manager, Tony Docherty, held a Q&A with the music box participants answering all of their questions ranging from football to music.

Over the course of the next 12 months, SPL Music Box, which is supported by Creative Scotland’s CashBack for Creativity Programme, will provide young people aged 10-16 with a chance to take part in free music making workshops at Pittodrie Stadium. Opportunities will include tuition in a range of popular musical instruments, songwriting and recording workshops as well as information on the wider music industry. Young people will also get the chance to participate in a number of performances and showcases throughout the course of the programme.

Utilising the draw of Aberdeen FC, the project aims to engage with a wide range of young people, creating a unique opportunity to gain new experiences and develop new skills. In particular, it strives to create access for young people who would not normally participate in music making activities as well as those who face additional barriers to participation.

SPL Music Box will kick off in the summer holidays with a week of sessions taking place on 15-19 July, 10.00-12.00pm and 13.00-15.00pm. This will be followed by a weekly music club running throughout the school term, which will take place on Wednesday evenings from August onwards. As places are limited, young people are encouraged to sign up in advance, and can do so by visiting www.splmusicbox.com

CashBack for Creativity is a unique programme that re-invests the proceeds of crime back into communities through a diverse range of cultural activities for young people across Scotland The programme is supported by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Initiative.

Aberdeen FC’s Steven Sweeney, Senior SFA Community Coach, said: “Aberdeen FC are very pleased to announce the continuation of this project into its second year. The young people who took part last year were able to take advantage of expert musical tuition and great performing opportunities through exchanges with groups in the Aberdeen area and as far away as Shetland. We look forward to getting more and more young people involved this year.”

Billy Singh, General Manager of The Scottish Premier League Trust, said: “We are delighted that after a very successful year last year that Creative Scotland sees value in providing funding for our top clubs and local music providers to encourage young people to get involved in music. We are all aware that football clubs have a central role in providing opportunities for the communities that surround them and Music Box is an excellent opportunity for young people who have an interest in the music industry to get involved.

Leonie Bell, Acting Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland, said: “SPL Music Box is a great way for young people to learn about and enjoy making music, and it’s fantastic that, with the support of the Scottish Premier League Trust and the Football Clubs, this successful project will continue.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This fantastic CashBack project which brings sport and culture together is a great example of how money seized from crooks can be used to open doors for Scotland’s young people and allow them to access unique opportunities.

“Since Cashback was launched in 2007, more than £50million has been ploughed into projects like this and other activities that broaden the horizons of our youngsters and set them on a positive path in life.

“Over 600,000 young people have directly benefitted from the CashBack programme, generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.”

If you are interested in getting involved with Music Box at Aberdeen FC or would like to find out more, you can do so in the following ways:

Website: www.splmusicbox.com
Email: musicbox@scotprem.com
Call: 07522 985 772