Discover
Young Sounds UK bring Discover training to Aberdeen
We’ve been running our Discover training in England since 2008 and we’re now looking to start the programme in Scotland! Starting with free sessions in Aberdeen.
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Earth Day 2024
Taking place every year on 22 April, Earth Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical environmental challenges facing our planet. This topic is of great concern to the young musicians we support, like 18 year old composer and Young Sounds Award winner Maddy. We recently spoke to Maddy about her musical journey so far, the impact the environment has had on her work and how we collectively can have a positive impact on the environment.
For 18 year old Maddy, Earth Day isn’t merely a date on the calendar; it’s a call to action—a global reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. Through her music, Maddy seeks to amplify the voices of nature, taking direct inspiration from the landscape of her Somerset home.
“Music and nature have always been very closely tied for me, especially given that I‘ve always lived rurally. I often practise piano or compose outside with my keyboard in my garden.”
But there’s an important message within the music beyond appreciating the beauty of nature; it’s a reminder of its fragility and the need for everyone to take action on climate change. Maddy’s musical experience began at the age of four with piano lessons which quickly led her to delve into improvisation and composition, picking up the harp and then moving into performing at local concerts and venues. Maddy’s journey with Young Sounds began in 2020.
“I met some people at Junior Conservatoire who were supported by Young Sounds and I wanted to find some additional ways to move my composition forward, so I applied!”
Since then, Maddy’s found Young Sounds’ support invaluable, not only from the financial side to pursue her goal of releasing her first album but also as belief in her ability to address climate change through her artistic expression. Maddy’s concern for the environment started early, spurred by media coverage of the climate crisis. Understanding the strong connection between environmental health and human existence, she felt compelled to advocate for action.
“Climate change will eventually affect all of us in some way. As artists and musicians, we have a responsibility to use our voices to help others understand that they have a voice too. Music is definitely one of the most powerful and effective ways of expressing this.
“In the future, I hope to see an increase in awareness of how important the climate crisis is and what it means for all, not just humans. We have a responsibility to protect the environment, and the planet we live on. It’s definitely easy to feel like personal efforts to combat climate change are not important, but even seemingly small things like printing less paper, or trying to take public transport can make a real difference.”
As an artist, Maddy is conscious of her own environmental footprint and prioritises environmentally friendly practices.
“I always make an effort to use public transport when I can. When I get CDs and other items printed, I try to ensure the company I work with is environmentally conscious, so that I can have physical music printed in the best way possible for the environment. This is something artists can look into when designing their own ideas for their music too and we can collectively make an impact in the music industry.”
In the broader music industry, Maddy advocates for sustainable practices at all levels along with a collaborative approach to environmental change.
“Musicians can try to seek out venues to perform in that are environmentally friendly, venues should be researching and developing the ways they can operate to improve their sustainability. Resolving climate change has to be a group effort, especially within music! On a more personal scale, efforts such as printing less sheet music can have a positive impact if we all try to do it!”
As Maddy continues to pursue her passion for music and environmental advocacy, Young Sounds remains a continued support on her journey. A highlight was our Awards Day at BBC Maida Vale Studios in October 2023. Immersed in the world of recording and technology in orchestral performance, Maddy gained vital knowledge from the experience whilst growing in confidence.
“The day was amazing, and I came away from it feeling like I had learnt so much. As a composer, I usually feel quite separate from the recording and editing process when it comes to orchestral writing. So, learning skills on the day was invaluable to me and will definitely be really useful in the future!”
Through her art and activism, she strives to inspire others to join her in this endeavour, reminding us all that the protection and preservation of our planet rests in our hands.
We’d like to thank Maddy for sharing her story and highlighting this important topic! You can find out more about Maddy’s work at the links below.
https://britishmusiccollection.org.uk/node/67605 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f4h0qb https://www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/features/article/the-purcell-school-parallel-composition
If you are, or if you know, a young musician like Maddy, aged 5-17, with bags of musical potential who needs support for musical costs, Young Sounds could help!