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What is Starfish Youth Music
Starfish offers young people in the Lewes District the opportunity to explore,
play, record and develop contemporary music with professional tutoring,
equipment and a motivating environment. Starfish is aimed at young people
aged between 9 and 21. We do not have any entry criteria.
In addition to the programme detailed on the website, Starfish also organises
specialised music workshops and regularly holds public performances. We work
with the help and support of Lewes District Youth Service.
Starfish sessions are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 5pm-7pm (juniors) Tuesdays & Thursdays 7pm-9pm (seniors) in the Priory school music block.
Click here to apply to join on-line
Since 1998 Starfish has been offering young people in the Lewes District the opportunity to explore, play, record and develop contemporary music. Inspired after attending a Herbie Flowers 2-day 'Rockshop' a group of young people approached the district youth worker asking for a permanent music project. Working with the Lewes & Eastbourne Youth Service and with the help of the community the Starfish music project was born.
Starfish has over 80 members attending sessions each week and the demand for places has always been high despite a 20 week rolling programme. Members are encouraged to compose their own compositions and are guided by and advised by 'Tutors'. Starfish Co-ordinator Steve Franklin explained 'Our staff are all working musicians and collectivly we have a vast amount of expeirence which we can pass on to our members. We do not tell members how or what to play, we facilitate and as long as people are sticking to some basic guidelines they are free to express themselves however they like'.
Starfish puts on around 5 concerts a year which attract fantastic audiences, mainly of young people. These concerts are important fundraisers which enable Starfish to buy and renew the equipment. At least one of the concerts is dedicated to raise awarness (and money) for other people, Last years concert was split between Children in Need and the Cystric Fibrosis Foundation. In the last 3 years Starfish has raised over £1500 for other organisations.
In 2001 Starfish ran a 1 day music workshop at the Joff in Peacehaven and soon after a sister club U.O.M (Union of Music ) was formed. Sessions are held on a Monday evening. U.O.M bands regulary play at Starfish concerts and bands from Starfish are invited play at U.O.M gigs.
In addition to the weekly sessions Starfish holds specialists music workshops and this year have developed 'Starfish Outreach' which invites community groups and statutory organisations to submit proposals for music making workshops, events etc .
Starfish is aimed at young people aged between 9 and 21. We do not have any entry criteria.
The Youth Development Service continues to support Starfish through funding salaries and the support and training of tutors.
For more information contact:
Starfish Youth Music ,
c/o Flint House,
41 High St,
Lewes. BN7 2LU.