By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 13:29, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Solfest founder Simon Kay has been made head of programmes at Cumbrian music organisation SoundWave.

Simon Kay

The 38-year-old, of Abbeytown, will help the Workington-based organisation focus on youth music.

Simon was one of the founder members of the hugely successful Solfest festival.

As a qualified youth worker, he also has nearly 20 years experience working with disadvantaged and underprivileged young people locally.

SoundWave, which formed in 2007 and is based at the Carnegie Theatre, has just been awarded a £180,000 grant from Youth Music.

The funding will be used to bring new musical experiences to young people across Cumbria over the next two years – providing opportunities for children facing challenging circumstances and giving them the chance to access a variety of developmental and music making activities. Musical experiences will cross all genres, from opera to rock and hip-hop to reggae.

Following his appointment, Simon said: “Music is a fantastic means of releasing a young person’s potential outside of the traditional classroom environment.

“Few people realise it, but the UK is actually the world’s second largest exporter of music.

“It’s one of the things that really stirs the national conscience and one which we do really well.

“Everyone enjoyed the huge part that music played in the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, but let’s not forget that Dizzee Rascal who performed at the opening had been excluded from numerous schools and become involved in petty crime as a child but turned his life around after participating in a youth summer music scheme.”

SoundWave chief executive, Sarah Allison, added: “Having Simon on board is a huge bonus, not only for his links to Solfest and the music industry, but also for his background in youth engagement. Simon knows only too well how difficult it can be for young people in Cumbria to access music making opportunities.”

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk