Do you make music? The Voice winner Jermain Jackman to host innovative Instagram Live event celebrating Islington young, musical talent

Music Education Islington (MEI), led by Islington Council and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, is teaming up with Small Green Shoots and Islington Youth Council to put on an Instagram Live event with the aim of celebrating the creativity of young people in Islington.    

The IG Lockdown Session will be hosted by Jermain Jackman, winner of BBC's The Voice, alongside young people from Islington Youth Council and Small Green Shoots.  

 Young people under the age of 18 can send in their tunes and videos of their music focusing particularly on the music they’ve been making during lockdown. Music Education Islington are also holding live feedback sessions on 29 June and 2 July where young people can get tips and advice from professional musicians. The final deadline to upload is 5 July. Link: www.gsmd.ac.uk/MEI-IGLive  

A panel of young people from Islington Youth Council, Small Green Shoots youth music organization and the Music in Secondary Schools Trust Young Leaders Orchestra, will listen to and watch every tune and video submitted to select the final playlist to be premiered in the IG Live Lockdown Session.  

Jermain Jackman,  winner of BBC's The Voice said:   

“Islington is full of incredibly talented music makers, I can’t wait to hear them.”    

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, said:  

“Islington is famous for its cultural heritage and creative industries. We know that making that culture available to every child in our borough, through our 11 by 11 programme, is an important part of making Islington the best possible place for all young people to grow up.   

“Our new partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama a world famous music and drama school, brings that culture and creativity to the doorstep of Islington’s young people. Teaming up with them, the Islington IG Lockdown Session will offer a showcase for our borough’s children to display their endless talent, and I for one can’t wait to hear it.” 

Sean Gregory, Vice-Principal & Director of Innovation and Engagement at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama said: 

“I’m so pleased that Music Education Islington, led by Islington Council and Guildhall School of Music & Drama can help put on this event to showcase the music young people have been making during lockdown. It is clear that connecting to others through creative participation is vital to maintaining good mental health and well being, particularly at these times.” 

Music Education Islington is led by Islington Council and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, in partnership with Music in Secondary Schools Trust and leading arts organisations and funders, as well as the Islington Community of Schools. MEI aims to ensure all children and young people have sustained opportunities to engage in musical learning activities. Islington’s IG Lockdown Session is a way for MEI to provide a creative outlet for children and young people in Islington and highlight the artistic talent in the community.  

MEI has been delivering music education activities to over 75% of schools in Islington with more than 5,000 children and young people learning a musical instrument.