Talented local musicians are busy writing the words for a song highlighting the dangerous impact of bullying, to be recorded at the opening of the new Studio at the Lounge Room in Gosford on 19 July. The Studio is the brain child of Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), a charity providing creative support to disadvantaged young people. The Studio’s first recording will feature local singers Fletcher Pilon and Don Leaton performing their collaborative song. Those bullied are more likely to suffer psychotic symptoms as teenagers while the bullies themselves have a one in four chance of gaining a criminal record by the age of 30. The inspiration for the song comes from the musicians hearing the personal experiences of those who have been bullied and the impact on their lives.
“Fletcher and Don will meet with a teenager who was driven to the brink of suicide by school bullying,” CEO of MMAD, Dominic Brook, said today. “Fletcher, a winner of Australia’s Got Talent, is very excited to be involved in creating change by being one of the first artists to record in the Lounge Room Studio. We’d love to see the public there to watch this exciting event.”
All money generated from the song’s sales goes back into MMAD’s support and mentoring programs for disadvantaged young people. Local MP, Lucy Wicks, has helped fund the new studio and will be attending the opening.
“MMAD has developed a state of the art recording studio in The Lounge Room, complete with sound proofing, partly funded through the Stronger Communities Program. The Program helps connect the Central Coast community through wonderful organisations like MMAD,” Mrs Wicks said today.
The studio also received funding from the Thyne Reid Foundation as well as local grassroots support through a Pozible crowdfunding campaign.
The fully equipped recording studio is available to the amazing local talent in the area and encourages young people to change their lives through the power of music. It is part of the Lounge Room complex at Gosford, built and funded by Musicians Making a Difference. The Australian Charity provides hope and support for young people facing many challenges including homelessness, school exclusion, family breakdown, drug and alcohol issues unemployment and crime reoffending. It reaches over 20,000 young people every year, offering mentoring, support groups, alternative education and crisis response. From its’ beginning as a Voluntary project, MMAD is now a national organisation, raising over 90% of their funds from non-government sources and partnering with individuals, corporations and local businesses.
“Our goal is to break negative cycles, such as bullying, to empower young people to change and then go out and make a difference in their own community,” says Will Small, Creative Facilitator at MMAD.
“The Lounge Room offers a venue for the community to hold events, meetings and gigs with all proceeds going back to the young people who need support. They can use the space to find a voice and express painful experiences through music.”
While the opening of the Studio highlights bullying, the song writing and recording is a yearly event to raise awareness about the many social issues affecting young people. MMAD has succeeded in transforming the lives of thousands of people using the creativity of music, dance and mentoring programs. The opening of the Studio is another way to provide opportunity and funds to continue their inspirational work.
Media are invited to the Launch at 5pm for photos and interviews. Members of the public are welcome and invited to attend the launch also.
The Lounge Room, 2/342 Mann St, Gosford.
Wed, 19 July, 5pm
