Festival Education & Street Programme

Aim: Support the Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival Education & Street Music Programme - Making music accessible to all.

Overview

The Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival is dedicated to fostering a love for music within the community. This year, we are excited to offer a series of free educational workshops and masterclasses designed for individuals and families of all ages and abilities. 

These sessions will take place at the Sidmouth Methodist Church from Saturday, May 24, to Monday, May 26, 2025. 

We have secured a certain level of grant funding, with special thanks to Sidmouth Town Council; however to ensure the success and accessibility of this programme, we aim to raise a further £3,000 through this crowdfunding campaign.

Programme Highlights

• Jazz and Blues Workshops: Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on sessions led by experienced musicians and educators. For instance, previous workshops have included "Everyone Can Play the Blues!" led by music tutor Daniel Shaw, covering elements, styles, and communication in a blues band. 
• Family-Friendly Sessions: Our programme is designed to be inclusive, offering sessions that cater to families and individuals of all ages and skill levels. An example is the "Family Drumming Workshop" with James from Drum Devon, providing rhythmic fun times for the whole family. 
• Accessible to All: We are committed to making these educational opportunities free for the community, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder participation.

Funding Goal

The £3,000 raised will be allocated to:

• Instructor Fees: Compensating our talented educators for their time and expertise.
• Materials and Equipment: Providing necessary instruments and materials for participants during the workshops.
• Venue Costs: Covering expenses associated with hosting the sessions at the Sidmouth Methodist Church.
• Promotion and Outreach: Ensuring that all community members are aware of these free opportunities through effective marketing and communication.

Please support

By contributing to this campaign, you are playing a vital role in enriching our community's cultural landscape and providing valuable educational experiences. Your support will help nurture the next generation of musicians and music enthusiasts in Sidmouth.

Join us in making the Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival Education Programme a resounding success. Every donation brings us closer to our goal and ensures that these enriching experiences remain accessible to all.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Background

The Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival, now in its fourth year, has become a cornerstone of the UK's boutique music festival scene. Held annually in the picturesque coastal town of Sidmouth, Devon, the festival offers four days of exceptional live music, featuring a stellar line-up of world-class internationally acclaimed artists. The 2025 festival is scheduled from Friday, 23 May to Monday, 26 May, coinciding with the late May bank holiday. 

Since its inaugural event in 2022, the festival has grown organically, each year enhancing its diverse program to include an array of genres such as jazz, blues, roots, soul, Latin, and funk. The festival's programming is high quality, dynamic, exciting, inclusive, and provides a wide choice of music styles under the festival umbrella. 

A core vision of the festival is to make music accessible to all. To this end, the festival offers a free educational program comprising workshops, masterclasses, and performances, alongside free live music events at various local venues and in 2025 we extend this to Peacock Lawns. This inclusive approach ensures that both residents and visitors can engage with and enjoy the rich musical offerings without barriers. 

The festival's commitment to accessibility and community engagement has fostered a vibrant atmosphere, attracting music enthusiasts from across the country and overseas. As it enters its fourth year, the Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival continues to enrich the cultural tapestry of the region, embodying its mission to make world-class music experiences available to all.