Music partnership brings new sound to Glace Bay youth centre

A groundbreaking musical initiative is set to revolutionize access to instruments and technology for young people in Glace Bay, N.S., with plans to expand the program to other communities across Cape Breton. The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative has joined forces with the Undercurrent Youth Centre in Glace Bay to enhance the facility’s musical offerings, thanks to funds raised by the Cape Breton Music Hall of Fame.

In recent weeks, members of the co-operative have been hard at work upgrading the outdated sound equipment at the youth centre. The goal is to equip the facility with state-of-the-art sound gear to facilitate concerts and musical programming for attendees. This is just the beginning, as Phase 2 of the project involves bolstering the instrument collection to provide aspiring musicians with access to guitars, drums, fiddles, and more. Duane Nardocchio, the co-op’s executive director, emphasized that lack of access to equipment often serves as a barrier for those looking to delve into the world of music.

Furthermore, the initiative will offer funding for instrument acquisition and music lessons led by members of the musical co-operative. Nardocchio highlighted the challenges that young musicians face in obtaining quality equipment, hindering their ability to break into the industry. He expressed hopes that this collaboration will help level the playing field for aspiring artists.

Trevor DenHartogh, executive director of Undercurrent, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s potential impact, noting that the outdated sound equipment at the youth centre was in dire need of an upgrade. The addition of new speakers and a soundboard will pave the way for exciting concert opportunities that were previously unattainable with the old gear.

While Undercurrent will be the first beneficiary of this initiative, the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative envisions extending similar opportunities to other areas in Cape Breton. DenHartogh emphasized the program’s adaptability and potential to benefit youth throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Overall, this innovative collaboration represents a significant step towards democratizing access to musical arts for young individuals in Glace Bay and beyond. By investing in modern equipment and educational resources, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of talented musicians and foster a vibrant music scene across Cape Breton.