Two local charities, Outside the Box and Ilkley Live, have come together to promote support music making and performance by people who have a learning disability or autism.
Building on the success of the Ilkley Live Community Music Festival, the charity has recently made a donation to Outside the Box to support its inclusive music making.
Louise Hale, CEO of Ilkley Community Enterprise, the charity that runs Outside the Box, said:
“We really do appreciate the donation from Ilkley Live and very much look forward to working more closely with them. Ilkley Live is all about bringing people together locally to explore and celebrate music in all its forms and this, excuse the pun, really chimes with our work at Outside the Box, particularly for our talented music groups and the OTB Band.”
[Euan Thirlwell singing with OTB Band]
Ilkley Live has made the donation following the success of its last 2-day summer music festival which featured over 140 performances drawing large and enthusiastic crowds at more than 20 venues across the town. Building on this success, the charity has introduced new live music events taking place across the year, including a Spring Community Sing, Blues Night and Busking Festival.
Dan Hammond, Ilkley Live founder, commented:
"Ilkley Live and Outside the Box have been connected for a number of years but this change takes things to a new level!
"Inclusion is at the heart of Ilkley Live’s ethos – we are all about building community cohesion through live music and that means everyone in the community. So it’s wonderful to be able to support the amazing work of OTB in enabling people who have a learning disability or autism to benefit from everything that music can bring."
Currently the Outside the Box Music Group and Band support over 20 people with a learning disability to learn and make music including having regular performances in the local community including at care homes, the Ilkley Bandstand and many local events. The partnership with Ilkley Live will help with music equipment and resources for Outside the Box music makers, talent development and more involvement in Ilkley Live events for OTB members.
[Benjamin Ashton playing ukulele in the OTB Band]
Anyone interested in finding out more about OTB music groups please call 01943 431173 or email cafe@outsidetheboxcafe.com
If you would like to know more about Ilkley Live, just go to www.ilkleylive.com to browse events and also sign up for updates.
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