Music Your Way
Music Your Way
There are lots of ways to make music – and you don’t have to join an orchestra, choir or traditional band to get involved. Across Somerset and Dorset, you’ll find opportunities to explore music in your own way. You could write and record your own songs, make beats, learn an instrument, join a jam session, perform live, explore music technology or find out more about careers in the music industry.
Some programmes offer a relaxed place to meet other young people and make music together, while others provide more personalised support or opportunities designed around different interests and needs. You don’t always need previous musical experience — curiosity and an interest in music can be enough to get started. Explore the opportunities below and find a way to make music that works for you.
To help you find opportunities near you, Somerset opportunities are shown in green and Dorset opportunities in blue.
Guildhall Young Artists Taunton
A Saturday music and drama centre for children and young people, learning and performing in a creative, supportive environment — no audition or previous experience needed.
Who: Ages 5–18. Where: Wellington School, Wellington, Somerset (Saturday mornings).
B Sharp MusicFutures
Hands-on support for young people taking their first steps toward a music career — performance, music production and professional development with an experienced music and enterprise charity.
Who: Ages 16–25 living in Dorset.
Jack’s Music Club
A relaxed Friday-evening music club for social, informal music-making – a good way to unwind after school or bring music into a home-schooling week. For ages 10–17, any ability. Where: Great Elm, Frome, Somerset.
My Tunes
Music-making, songwriting and studio-based creative practice, giving young people a structured but flexible way to express themselves and re-engage with learning. For young people attending Pupil Referral Units, or at risk of disengaging.
The Outpost
A youth-led team building its own creative home, with core sessions at the Cheese & Grain and an Industry Masterclass programme putting young people face-to-face with working music professionals.
Who: Young people, particularly secondary age and above. Where: Frome and Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Out There
Uses music and creative practice to build confidence and re-engage young people in positive learning experiences, through flexible one-to-one or small-group studio sessions.
Who: Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming so.
Sound Lab
Inclusive, creative music-making and music technology sessions — group music-making, improvisation, beat-making and songwriting — shaped around participants’ own interests.
Who: Neurodiverse young people and adults, and those with learning differences, aged 14–25.
STEPS Youth Music Project
A welcoming Monday-evening drop-in offering tuition (guitar, drums, keyboards, singing), jamming, lyric writing and Open Mic nights. All abilities welcome.
Who: Ages 13–19 (up to 25 with additional needs).