More money for More Music

9:47am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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STAFF at a Morecambe based music charity are celebrating double good news - thanks to two major funders announcing grant increases.

More Music's funding from both Youth Music and the Arts Council of England has gone up - going against the tide as many arts organisations across the country are facing funding cuts.

Youth Music has offered More Music an award of up to £150,000 for the current financial year; with the Arts Council promising £93,800.

"This gives us security and demonstrates the confidence our funders have in More Music. We are a thriving organisation and this increase in support will enable us to develop our exciting plans for the future of the company, which include the renovation of our building," said company manager Kathryn MacDonald.

Recently More Music bought the building, The Hothouse, the ground floor of which they have been renting since 1996, with a loan from The Co-op.

Now they are looking to employ an architect and raise funding to turn the building into a beacon for the West End of Morecambe.

More Music has played a significant role in the social and economic regeneration of Morecambe for the past 15 years and is a major employer in the town. The development of the building and the growth of the organisation come at an exciting time when Morecambe itself is on the brink of change.

The building will continue as an inspirational centre for the local community, providing increased capacity for the company's existing work and a unique space for exploration, training, performance, office space and storage.

In addition to regular music classes ranging from Clapping Song sessions for the under fives to Seagull Cafe sing-a-longs for the over 55s, More Music runs a carnival band - Baybeat - the Stages project for new young bands and musicians, as well as nationally significant projects such as The Long Walk, recently performed in Liverpool as part of the European Capital of Culture programme.

Among the plans for the coming year are: * Drawing up plans for refurbishing the building * A short season of events upstairs * A tour of More Music's production The Long Walk * Increased work in schools * Annual festival events in Morecambe