Anthem: Platform Making a Career in Music Accessible for Youngsters

Anthem's Website, Anthem Family Chorus

Young aspiring Welsh Musicians, here is the platform you need to kick start your career. Anthem is an organisation made to help young artists develop their platform, connect them to the music industry and offer funding.

Anthem's mission on their website is for a Wales that can 'empower every young life' through music. They believe 'music is a potent creative force for young people that feeds self expression, personal development and well being'. Not limited to any genre, they foster many diverse communities and are the catalyst in young artists careers. Since 2018, Anthem was established after a Welsh government report was made looking into and exploring ways to support aspiring young artists in learning how to and getting access to music creation facilities.

The organisation has 4 key projects; Atsain, Anthem FFWD, Anthem Gateway, Showcasing.

Atsain Fund, supported by the Welsh Government and Youth Music, launched in 2022. This fund was designed to make the music industry more accessible for young people e.g. hosting/promoting events or recording music. Since the launch of this project, Anthem has awarded over £379,000 to people, clubs, choirs etc.

Anthem FFWD is described as a forum that 'is a fun, informal way to connect with other young musicians'. Every year, there are new members added to the board between the ages of 16-24, receiving support from Anthem. All of the members range in genres and offer something different from each other. The members consist of songwriters, rappers, producers and more.

Going onto the Anthem Gateway, you can find a plethora of programs suitable for many kinds of aspiring artists, from free courses to musical showcases. The Gateway offers many resources to job opportunities in the music industry, industry links, events. Anthem's Gateway also offers an 'Info Space' that contains a copious amount of information about every aspect that is needed to be a musician, producer, promoter. It contains links to videos and documents explaining things like; how to book gigs, starting as a music manager, ways to make a good album cover, all for free.

The music industry is a difficult one to get into while also obtaining a sustainable career. A platform like Anthem allows for people to get into industry and it be a sustainable choice for them, Also, their focus in empowering Welsh acts reminds everyone that such an industry does not require yourself to be based in a metropolitan city to excel.


Website: https://www.anthem.wales
- www.anthem.wales