WAM usher in the new school term with the launch of the digital New Noise tool kit and website, plus the new Musicians in Residence schools program.
WAM have teamed up with Act Belong Commit to make it even easier for educators, learners and artists to get involved with New Noise, and support their mental wellness through music. Delivered as part of their year-round Audience Development program and carrying the Act Belong Commit message for mental wellness, New Noise is WAM’s all-ages initiative providing opportunities for young people across the state to engage with contemporary WA music. Featuring a multi-faceted schools program and youth-run events collective, last year saw over 24,000 young people aged 17 and under participate in the programs. The new open-access website sees the initiative expand further, with new youth-targeted resources and activities, educational videos with local artists, and all the information needed to bring a free New Noise program to your school or community.
Launching this school term alongside the website is the latest New Noise program – Musicians in Residence. Developed to deepen the existing connection between musicians and students, the program sees a local musician set up a temporary recording studio at a school and spend ten weeks working with students to create a song using the Act Belong Commit message for mental health. The musician is encouraged to get involved in the school community and be a visible presence for students, teachers and staff. The program is supported by WAM and Act Belong Commit’s much-loved Songwriting journals, in addition to the new resources and learning materials available through the New Noise website. WAM work closely with the schools, staff and musicians to ensure as many students as possible can engage in the songwriting process and message to act, belong and commit.
