Music in residence – Developing local roots

More Music In Morecambe (MMM) has been running since 1993 when I created a musician-in-residence scheme with the Lancaster City Council Arts and Events Service, writes Pete Moser.
At that time, Morecambe was a town with social problems linked to a declining tourist industry, but also a town at a point of change with a number of regeneration plans beginning to happen. Residencies were set up in the local district and a presence was established, with the central mission based around access, celebration and community.

We have worked across Lancashire, in response to our funders’ requests, and tried to create independent residencies run by locally based musicians. Those in Burnley, Accrington, Chorley, Blackpool and Blackburn are sustained to this day because local partnerships were developed with funders, youth service, social agencies, arts development officers and musicians. One example is in Accrington, where we were approached by the New Era community centre soon after the building reopened following refurbishment. They had created a sound studio that wasn’t being used enough, and they also wanted to offer some provision to draw in young Asian people. Over a period of two years, we developed two nights of new technology work, under the banner of Studio PDQ, and a series of dhol drumming sessions. Initially, we brought in musicians who work for MMM and live in Liverpool, Manchester and Morecambe. They delivered sessions but also had a brief to train and develop the skills of local DJs and drummers. The music work now links into a Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, is run by local musicians and has produced a series of music events. This has helped create a South Asian music collective called Dhamak. We support this complete project from a distance in a vital partnership with an arts development officer and a local youth worker.

These music residencies need to be run by people who live in their communities and are there throughout the year to respond to situations, lead small sessions as well as large projects, and follow projects and people over many years. Key factors leading to the long-term success of our residencies have been the ability to remain flexible and responsive; high-quality delivery of sessions and performances; a clear and obvious relationship with the community in which we live; a dedicated group of musicians, artists and admin staff; a broad spread of funding; and continued self-evaluation and questioning.

Pete Moser is Artistic Director of More Music in Morecambe. t: 01524 831997;
e: [email protected]; w: http://www.mormusic.net