A South Holland initiative that gets young people into music is set for a busy autumn including the launch of a new youth club and funding to go into more schools.
The Rock School Bus is rolling into the new term on the back of a fantastic season summer including its members playing festivals.
And as well as incredible opportunities for musicians such as playing at Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire sharing the bill with the likes of Scissor Sisters and The Last Dinner Party, the group has also been celebrating the latest round of musical classifications it has given out.
Four students have earned the Silver Arts Award, a level two qualification in music that is the equivalent of a GCSE.
“It gives more students the opportunity to move beyond creativity alone, developing leadership, independence, and team working skills,” said Amber Sinclair, the woman behind the Rock School Bus. “We look forward to rewarding more of our students for their hard work in the future.”
The Sound Futures project funded by Arts Council Endland and youth club, sponsored by Tesco, now hopes to get even more youngsters involved.
The new Music Youth Club will run on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm at Bromley Memorial Hall on Bourne Road in Spalding and is aimed at nine to 15-year-olds.
It’s being funded by the Tesco Stronger Starts initiative.
There’s a charge of £1 to attend and places are limited so you’re asked to book by ringing Amber on 07939 266321.
Amber said: “It’s a chance to make new friends who share their interest in music, make music, listen to music on records, CDs and tapes, create music themed arts and crafts and write their own songs.”
The Sound Futures project is to be delivered in association with Lincolnshire Music Hub.
“This allows us to modify our new bus ready to take music workshops directly into schools,” continued Amber. “It aims to inspire students with music making and creating, as well as getting them engaged with what is on offer outside of their school.
“We still have a wish list to make our bus absolutely perfect, so if there are any companies interested in sponsoring Rock School Bus in our mission, please get in touch.
“To help raise the funds needed to complete the modification of our bus, we are planning a fundraising event in October.
“The Houndogs will be playing, so we predict tickets will fly out of the door. Keep an eye on our social media for announcements and get your tickets nice and early.”
Attendees of both the Music Youth Club and the The Sound Futures could end up featuring in festivals as they did this year.
“Going to Wilderness was a first festival for many and it not only gave them a chance to perform, but also to experience music being performed at the highest level, including the wonderful Annie Lennox,” said Amber. “We also sponsored the second stage at Ayscoughfest 2026, providing a space for local choirs and chilled out acoustic acts away from the revelry of the main stage.
“We provided performance opportunities for both our mini and youth bands at many local events, and supported ‘the Zone’ pop up in Spalding town centre.
“We were happy to support Ryan Gilmartin and Young Event Planners with a FIFA project, where we put together a band and learning a full set of songs from the FIFA franchise.”
