Foyer Music is part of an organisation called Aberdeen Foyer, a charity which was set up to offer supported accommodation, as well as education and training to young people in the north-east of Scotland. It has become a major success and now has accommodation all over Aberdeenshire. Foyer Music is just one part of that organisation.

In establishing Aberdeen Foyer we have been able to develop and successfully operate a wide (and expanding) range of services. The importance of music was something expressed directly by young people in the design and development of the organisation and the facilities, which we now run. Foyer Music is well used by young people from Aberdeen and beyond and staffed by 2 Music Support Workers and an invaluable team of volunteers.

Foyer Music offers New Deal placements to young people who seek to pursue a career within the music business. This is a three-month voluntary option placement that has already seen some of the young people gaining employment within the industry on completion of the placement.

Until recently we were involved in the management of a large music industry festival and showcase called "goNORTH" which was held annually in Aberdeen. This brought together musicians and music industry personnel from around the UK and gave some of our young people a chance to work alongside professionals from within the music business. We are now setting up a new event along the same lines with help from The International Youth Festival amd will post the news on that on these pages as it develops.

We also run a project called Foyerlive which showcases new music and provides the opportunity for local young musicians to perform with the support and guidance from Foyer Music staff. This has been very successful and is now running every month to great acclaim at local venues.

Foyer Music aims to support young people (particularly those aged 16-25) to become and remain involved in music and related activities, to enable them to gain confidence, achieve ambitions and develop a lasting interest in music. We aim to develop and maintain a programme of activities, understanding, training and tutoring and provide opportunities for rehearsal, recording and creation of new music. Foyer Music targets disadvantaged young people who have had limited or no access to music, and opens doors to a wide range of music on offer locally and nationally.

The focus for this work is to encourage young talent, provide support and space to learn and "make mistakes". To learn about music and the music industry as an interest/hobby and for some to be a platform for entry into the local music scene. A main objective is access to music to those young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with limited opportunities. The difference that music can make to young people's quality of life is quite amazing. Opening doors to a new world of art and culture, different types of music, the opportunity to meet and socialize with other young people and for many a huge boost of confidence and enhanced self-esteem.

The facilities are open to young people regardless of gender, race, ability (or disability), ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, religious or political beliefs or those with any criminal convictions. Whether as a hobby or for those considering a career in the music industry, Foyer Music aims to provide a supportive environment to learn and for some, we hope, to go on to great things in the future!

Young people themselves are in the driving seat for this venture and Foyer Music constantly seeks input from young people who use the facilities. The Foyer Tenants group and Foyer Social Committee are eager to be involved in the activities of Foyer Music and many of the young people on our community drug rehabilitation project 'Lifeshaper' and the Princes Trust Volunteer Programme are active participants.

Foyer Music has a support group of young people who use our facilities. They guide us in the day to day running of Foyer Music and actually run some of the projects. We are currently looking for new members so if you are interested please get in touch right away then you could be deciding which band is on the next Foyer Records CD or playing the next Foyerlive gig.

Please get in touch! Email us by clicking Email in the menu, telephone us (The number's on the Contact Us page) or just drop in to see us any time.