A music producing charity has received funding from North Sheffield Local Area Committee to support the provision of free musical events for adults and babies from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Concerteenies aims to connect professional musicians with young children and their grown ups to experience live music together. They achieved their registered charity status in 2023.
They have hosted a variety of family events in the past including concerts at The Leadmill to give parents the rare opportunity to go to gigs.
Founder of Concerteenies, Polly Ives said that the project “can lay the foundation of musical engagement.”
The fund will be used for the Concerteenies for Babies programme, with £1200 being granted to contribute to the costs of free access to music events for 38 new parents and babies in North Sheffield, in partnership with Sheffield Family Hubs.
A parent who attended a baby concert said: “Seeing my baby respond to live music, instrument and voice was breathtaking.”
The money comes from North Sheffield LAC’s Great North Fund which aims to develop the voluntary sector and support projects with a track record of supporting people in the North or offer a new approach to improving community lives.
Talking about the project, Polly said: “Music often gets bad press and is seen as either expensive, elitist or inaccessible.”
She added that there is “a real gap in opportunities for adults with young children.”
The project worked with 80 musicians last year, going beyond nursery rhymes to highlight the importance of live music. They use a variation of music from different cultural backgrounds to give an eclectic style to the concerts.
Indian Sufi singer, Deepa Shakti said: “Every single audience member is important. When you play music to them, you’re trying to share something with them that they can take away which will make their day better.
“It is a privilege to perform to such a diverse audience.”
Polly said that the grant is “hugely valuable”, particularly in how it will help them to reach more diverse communities, and create a greater impact by identifying needs in the local area
