Musical Monuments is a unique project which gets young people with and without disabilities working together through music. Run by the York based charity Accessible Arts & Media, Musical Monuments focuses on different North Yorkshire Monuments. In March 2010 the project moves to Bolton Priory, in Wharfedale, where young people from Brooklands Community School, the Boyle & Petyt Primary School and Wharfedale Montessori will be working alongside artists from Accessible Arts & Media to create and perform their own music about this iconic monument through singing and signing and accessible music technology.

The project will culminate in a unique FREE performance of the group’s new piece at Bolton Priory on Friday 26th March, 1.30pm, which will feature a wide array of music ranging from Plainchant to especially created sound effects. Everyone is invited to the performance – family, friends, visitors and the local community alike.

Rose Kent of Accessible Arts & Media said: “It is wonderful to see so many young people with and without disabilities to work together and play an equal role in creating and performing their own music. With the emphasis on fun and finding out, anyone can take part no matter how much music they have done before, or how much movement they have. ”

George Moffat, Canon at Bolton Priory said: “We're thrilled to host Musical Monuments here at Bolton Priory, as old medieval buildings really come into their own when filled with children’s voices and music”. Through the project, they young people will not only have the opportunity to find out about the history of the Priory, but make up their own music all about it too!”

This exciting project has only been made possible through generous funding from the Big Lottery Awards for All Programme, Yorkshire and Clydeside Bank, Amicus Music. It is a partnership project between Bolton Priory and Accessible Arts & Media.

To find out more about Musical Monuments, or the performance, contact Accessible Arts & Media on 01904 626 965 / email: info@a-arts-media.org

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Notes to Editors

1. Bolton Priory is a fine example of a robust 12th century house of Augustinian canons. Set beside the River Wharfe the landscape was improved by the Devonshire's throughout the 19th century and is now one of Yorkshire prime tourist attractions in the region. This working church is supported by an energetic sizeable congregation who have encouraged a strong music tradition, including in the youngsters in this project takes their commitment to the Common Good that bit further.

2. Accessible Arts and Media is the recently merged York based charities of Accessible Arts and Cube Media whose primary aim is to make the creative and media arts more accessible, especially for young people and those with disabilities. The charity has recently been recognised as a model of good practice in music education for a singing and signing project run in partnership with Live Music Now and short listed for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Education in 2009. We specialise in providing a pioneering range of programmes that use the arts and media to empower people by developing skills, improving self-esteem and extending boundaries. Musical Monuments is one of the many and varied programmes that we run. For more information go to www.a-arts-media.org

3. Big Lottery Fund Awards for All
The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need. The Awards for all Programme aims to support projects that give people better chances in life, build stronger communities, improve rural and urban environments and to become healthier and more active.

Contact Information
email: info@a-arts-media.org