This month, Trinity have invited ec2a label head honcho Dr Dubplate to deliver April's Music Masterclass. This will be focusing on differences between major and indie labels, how to market your label, typical working teams, how to make money from a label. The workshop will consist of personal reflections, discussions and time for questions.
Although there is no charge to attend and no tickets are required, we do ask that you sign up for attendance tracking purposes.
This month, we have invited Femke and Louise from Crack Magazine to deliver November's Music Masterclass. The workshop will consist of a insight into running a music magazine, personal reflections and time for questions.
Although there is no charge to attend and no tickets are required, we do ask that you sign up for attendance tracking purposes.
Photo @ Khali Ackford / KoLAB Studios
Max is a young man who has been coming to Trinity off and on for the past year. He started playing the drums at the age of 12 but in recent years had no access to a drum-kit so stopped playing.
Making Tracks has provided Max with weekly lessons, teaching him the rudiments of drumming for the first time and creating opportunities for him to realise songs he had written in his head for years.
“I've never really had the facilities and encouragement to do this before, but I'm making these steps, and although they're not speedy they’re at a pace that I’m comfortable with and I'm really enjoying the journey.” Max
During the course of the year Max has found it easier to retain musical information, and both his confidence and musical ability have improved significantly.
He shows great insight into the value of projects like Making Tracks and the benefits they offer to young people like him who may suffer from anxiety or self-doubt and therefore not push themselves forward: “I think it's important that that's what these places do, they try to encourage people who aren't fully out of their shells or fully know what they want to do, to explore things and just have fun with it, because it shouldn't be a stressful thing, not knowing what you want to do.”
]]>The first Steering Group meeting was held on Thursday 15th October. The Steering Group gives Making Tracks participants a chance to share their opinions to help shape the programme and opportunities to connect with others on the programme.
The meeting was led by Steering Group Producer, Amber Watsonn, who is on a work placement through BE IT - a radical leadership programme run by Rising Arts Agency.
Amber is dedicated to improving representation in thearts sector and is bringing her passion for empowering and championing young people's voices into the steering group.
With the help of project intern, Thomas Meadley, Amber invited four young people to take part in this meeting that aimed to be an accessible space and allow for all voices to be heard.
The first part of the session focused on understanding the purpose and aims of the steering group. The session was briefly joined by Dave Thomas, Trinity’s Youth Activities Manager. His contagious enthusiasm for Making Tracks and Youth Music helped spark young people to share their love for the programme.
Young people shared their thoughts on how the Making Tracks project is accessible to them; how it caters to everyone no matter their skill, home life or musical interests. The group shared how much taking part in the project helps support mental health and confidence building. They also commented on the supportive staff that show how much they want to be there and help in any way they can.
Amber then supported the group to share how they may want to shape the project in the future. This included:
- an online forum for young people to network, share their music, and see news and project updates
- more studio access to record music
- more online resources
- how they can help support the project
The meeting ended, as all good meetings should do, with pizza and an opportunity to discuss the next meeting's agenda.
Want to get Involved?
The steering group is always open to new members. Please email amber@trinitybristol.org.uk if you would like more information or have any questions.
Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.
]]>
Sunkern Circus perform to crowds to open up our Festival of Light photo @ Khali Ackford
Making Tracks is our collaborative music making project with ACE and Basement– giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills in music creation. Trinity offers 121 and small group music sessions alongside industry workshops and opportunities to perform at Trinity events.
Xyzelle, Sealvia and Chantaleaze - students from project partners ACE performed first to a packed room. Photo Khali Ackford
Xyzelle, Sealvia and Chantaleaze from project partners ACE (Aspiration, Creation, Elevation) performed two songs, followed by Trinity student Louis Stone who performed his original songs using both his acoustic and electric guitars.
Great to welcome Trinity student Louis Stone who played tracks he is working on as part of Making Tracks. Photo Khali Ackford
Playing to an energetic and supportive crowd the students performed cracking sets and roused the crowds ready for local dub DJ Dutchie and the ever fantastic Bristol Reggae Orchestra – well done to them.
Dub DJ Dutchie gets the crowd ready for Bristol Reggae Orchestra photo @Khali Ackford
Bit of a squeeze for Bristol Reggae Orchestra on the stage in the main hall! @Khali Ackford
Onj's firework display was a treat for all the family. Photo @ Khali Ackford
This year we welcome over 800 people through the gates who came to watch the aerial performances, the fantastic firework display from Onj, a very warm bonfire from Woodsy, and the live music in our main hall.
Thanks to everyone that makes the event happen, from staff; to volunteers; to artists; to traders and of course all of you who attended.
The Festival of Light is a free event supported in part by public donations. This year we raised over £1100 in donations meaning that we can continue to run events like The Festival of Light so everyone can enjoy.
]]>
Area of Effect play Garden Party in 2018 photo @Jessica Bartolini
Garden Party is one of our most popular events - each year we programme family friendly workshops and some of Bristol and the South West's best bands and DJ's.
Our Making Tracks Showcase is an opportunity for young people, from our music making project, to showcase their talent to a 3,000 person Garden Party audience! The Showcase will be on the main stage from 12:00 - 12:30 then, in the main hall from 3pm - 6pm.
Students will join an awesome lineup including Sam Binga, Rider Shafiue, Dutchie + Indra and Almatic.
We wish them all the luck x
Singer-songwriter Holly Miller performing in Making Tracks Christmas Showcase in 2018
Holly Miller
Holly has been attending the Making Tracks programme for 8 months and has used this time to hone her singer-songwriter craft to create intimate acoustic songs covering universal themes of love, loss and life.
Miss Tee is prime for a summer hit, watch out for her.
Miss Tee
Miss Tee is a multi skilled singer, songwriter and producer who has progressed in leaps and bounds through taking part with our Making Tracks programme, developing her awesome writing capabilities and finding her own distinctive sound.
Sam Neal has been honing his distinctive sound during 121 sessions at Trinity
Sam Neal
Sam Neal is a Making Tracks veteran. This uplifting singer-songwriter's soulful summer sounds are guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
Meghan
Meghan is a multi-discipline drummer / singer. As a performer she is a ball of energy, that can't be ignored - whether it's rocking out on her drum kit or serving fierce vocals Meghan always packs a punch.
Rob B
Rob proves it's never to late to pursue your passion. Having joined 18 months ago his Drum and Bass DJ stylings have thrived producing a mature sound. Area of Effect - Making their return to the Trinity, Garden Party stage Area's of Effect are a young Indie-Rock band - with oodles of talent and buckets of energy.
Making Tracks is a collaborative partnership between Trinity, ACE and Basement Studios. Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
This is brought to you by Trinity Presents. Click here to see more arts, community, well-being and education content or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Trinity are working with external artists, partners and organisations as part of Trinity Presents Online to provide exciting content, relevant to Trinity's diverse audiences and in line with our Equal Opportunities and Free Speech Policies. Click here for more information about our Policies. While we endeavour to ensure content we share is relevant and appropriate, Trinity is not responsible for individual content created by third parties.
]]>
Student writes lyrics during a youth music session
“The Trinity Centre has a proven track record of helping young people channel their energy into music, young people who may have struggled to find their way in school and have a raw musical talent but no way of developing this. We’re delighted to be partnering with Basement Studios and ACE for this important youth music project.” Emma Harvey, Trinity’s Centre Director
We are really excited to announce that we have join forces with Basement Studio at The Station and ACE at Docklands Youth Centre to provide life-changing music-making experiences for young people in Bristol.
Funded by Youth Music, Making Tracks is a two year collaborative partnership that offers young people from the inner city communities of Easton, Lawrence Hill and Ashley and Central Bristol to take their first steps into their music making journey. Young people can take part in music-making sessions, workshops and showcase events and will have access to 1-2-1 support and performance opportunities - to take the next steps in their own music-making journey.
Young people will have the chance to take part in a range of activities: tailored 121 and small group music making sessions mentoring, peer learning and joint-project activity showcase events and performances live-learning Q&As with artists & industry professionals.
Are you an aspiring musician wanting to get involved ? Would you like to refer a young person? Find out more here or email davet@3ca.org.uk.
@ Paul Blakemore
@ Paul Blakemore
@ Paul Blakemore
@ Paul Blakemore
Making Tracks is a life changing music making project delivered in partnership with Trinity and leading youth providers Basement Studio and ACE.
Making Tracks offers young people who are facing challenging circumstances the opportunity to access music making opportunities. Ranging from 121 music making sessions to opportunities to perform a city-wide festivals (Harbourside, St Paul’s Carnival) to Q&A’s with professional artists. Young people are able to receive support and training bespoke to their needs - so they can take the next step into their future.
"It was interesting to see all the other students performances and it shows how far you can get with Making Tracks. I was pleased to see vegan pizza provided and meet lots of friendly people too." Joan, 15
The end of year celebration event is an opportunity for young people, their parents, careers and friends to celebrate the achievements and hard work of everyone who has taken part in Making Tracks over the year.
Taking place in Trinity's main hall the evening included performances from some of the young people who take part in the project. Performers included Chloe Thorn (Basement Studio), Miss Tee (Trinity), Sam Neal (Trinity) and Tom Meadley (Trinity).
The celebration is also an opportunity to network/ meet others who take part in the Making Tracks project as well as other young people from across the city. We were delighted to welcome 15 young people from Hartcliffe who came along with their youth workers to experience more creative opportunities in the city, joining 60+ others for the evenings activities.
Community members who take part in activity at Trinity also had an opportunity to showcase their talents. Flash-mob style dance interventions came from some of the young women who took part in the Let Us Dance project and liver music was performed by members of WECIL Collective, whose members attend regular group music sessions with tutors at Trinity.
Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.
]]>
Eleri is one of Trinity’s part-time music tutors, working closely with young people to help them explore, experiment, and grow through music. Her one-to-one sessions cover a wide range of skills, from singing and music production to learning instruments like drums, always with a focus on building confidence, creativity, and technical ability in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Alongside her individual tuition, Eleri co-runs Move On Music in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project. This weekly group is a progression from BDP’s Beginners Music programme and offers a space for participants to build on existing skills, connect with others with shared experiences, and enjoy making music in a relaxed, judgment-free setting.
And there’s more to come. Beginning in March 2026, Eleri will lead brand new after-school music sessions with Year 6 children at Easton CE Primary School. This marks an exciting next step in strengthening our partnerships with local schools and expanding opportunities for children and young people to get creative through music.
Earlier this month, we caught up with Eleri. Here's what she had to say:
Hey Eleri, what do you enjoy most about teaching music in our community?
I love connecting with people of all ages from all walks of life through the universal language of music. Everyone has something to say, and providing my community with the means to express themselves in their own way, as well as the chance to be heard, is the best part of my job.
What projects are you involved with at Trinity Community Arts?
I have fingers in many pies here at Trinity! I run a weekly session in partnership with BDP's Creative Communities called Move on Music, aimed at anyone with a lived experience of drug and alcohol who would like to build on skills already learnt at BDP's beginner music groups. I also regularly help out with Next Gen, our open-access music group for 14-25 year olds, where young people can do anything from taking part in live instrumental jams to DJing and recording beats. When I'm not taking part in these groups, then I'm facilitating 1:1 music sessions in our studios or working live gigs and events as a sound engineer.
What things are you involved with coming up in 2026 that we can look out for?
Trinity will now be putting on after-school music clubs for primary and secondary schools in the area, taking in some equipment such as our new Ableton Push and teaching children how to make music in a fun and interactive way. We also plan on hosting a school holiday club over the summer, which would be building on the same skills. I will also be involved in various BDP Creative Communities Concerts that will be happening throughout the year at Trinity Centre, as well as a couple more projects that we're still developing. It's looking like an exciting year for our music department
]]>
Speak Out Workshop - Image Credit: Alastair Brookes
Speak Out was a free creative development programme for young people made possible through funding from the We Move Fund, created by Children in Need and BBC 1XTRA.
As part of the programme rapper/activist MoYah and poet and spoken word artist Sukina Noor delivered a series of workshops for young musicians and poets, offering support with writing and developing music-making skills. These workshops where primarily aimed for young people who have lived-experience of the refugee and asylum-seeker system.
"As the Speak Out project unfolded, we saw how transformational this was to the participants. I think for me that was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had working with young people" - Sukina Noor, Speak Out Facilitator
During the workshops the team offered tailored support and one-on-one mentorship to the young people who attended. We connected with translators to work with young people who wished to express themselves through Arabic -and as a result they where able to use traditional Arabic poetic techniques during the workshops.
The young people involved in the project reflected on how the sessions offered them a safe space where they were able to fully express their identities and be themselves, and channel this into their art. For example, a participant from Brazil who spoke Portuguese was able to express himself better thanks to MoYah's ability to speak Portuguese, something that the young person had not been able to do since arriving in Bristol. Sukina observed the personal growth of the young Brazilian participant due to being able to speak his first language in the sessions, noting, "He could really experiment and let his story be told".
Facilitators, MoYah and Sukina both reflected on the confidence that the young people demonstrated by taking part and performing at Speak Out events, highlighting their creative and personal development throughout the project.
The young people who took part in these Speak Out workshops were given the opportunity to showcase their talents as part of the Bristol Refugee Festival.
In total six young people aged 16-18 took part in eight workshops, facilitated by MoYah and Sukina.
Click here to find out more about Trinity’s programme of events and activities for young people.
From his home, he has recorded this short video explaining piano triads and how to play Otis Redding's 'Lean On Me'.
Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.
This is brought to you by Trinity Presents. Click here to see more arts, community, well-being and education content or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Trinity are working with external artists, partners and organisations as part of Trinity Presents Online to provide exciting content, relevant to Trinity's diverse audiences and in line with our Equal Opportunities and Free Speech Policies. Click here for more information about our Policies. While we endeavour to ensure content we share is relevant and appropriate, Trinity is not responsible for individual content created by third parties.
]]>
Josh has been attending 121 sessions at Trinity as well as workshops and other events delivered as part of Making Tracks (photo Alastair Brookes - KoLAB Studios).
"I had heard Trinity provided people who have had difficult pasts with good opportunities to develop skills with performing and recording music"
Hi, I am Josh I'm 21 and I come to Trinity weekly to attend 121 music sessions that are part of the Making Tracks Project .
As well as the recording sessions I attend I also have been learning skills in songwriting workshops and other music related events at Trinity.
I came to trinity because music is something that I’ve always been passionate about and I had heard Trinity provided people who have had difficult pasts with good opportunities to develop skills with performing and recording music, I mainly work with Al in the studio and greatly enjoy it.
I’ve struggled with mental health problems all my life and being able to record at Trinity has been a massive help with keeping myself positive and active. Taking part in Trinity has benefited me in more ways than I ever would have imagined, it’s enabled me to be able to write and record my own songs and has helped me develop my skills and confidence as a musician. When I first started attending trinity I was very shy and struggled with depression a lot and the friendly atmosphere provided at trinity has really brought me out of my shell and helped me become the strong confident person I am today.
Without trinity I would never have gotten the chance to make my own music or improve my skills as a musician.
If I had to describe my experience at trinity in three words I’d use “truly amazing experiences".
You helped secure Trinity's past, now play your part in Trinity's future
Children's Adventures in Nature
Mon, Wed & Thu from 27 Jul to 31 Aug, 2pm-4pm
Children aged 6-12 can join the fun at the Trinity Community Garden, where they can connect with nature through all weather activities, like forest school, bushcraft and play. Free - suggested donation £5. Contact Lisa: lisat@3ca.org.uk / 07791 140 916
Mondays, 6pm-8pm
12-18 year olds can join us every week to learn about bush-craft, fire-lighting, shelter building, foraging, food growing and cooking at the Trinity Garden. No need to book, just come along, its free! Contact Lisa: lisat@3ca.org.uk / 07791 140 916
Wednesdays: 29 July, 12 & 26 Aug, 10am-12pm
A cookery club for parents and children of all ages. Come and enjoy cooking with other local families, and enjoy your creations in our beautiful garden. Free (donations welcome) - Booking essential, contact Helen: helenw@3ca.org.uk / 0117 935 1200
Wednesdays 29 Jul; 5, 12 & 19 Aug, 5.30pm-6pm
Help us beat the current Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Samba Dance at the Stapleton Rd Make Sunday Special event on Sunday 23 August. Join the free dance workshop sessions and learn the simple routine created by World Jungle Samba Dancers. Contact Ripley: ripley@3ca.org.uk / 0117 935 1200
Wednesdays, 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Exciting and vibrant street dance training, which is not only fun but a good way of keeping fit! for ages 5 to 11 and 12 to 25 yrs old. £5 per session (please arrive 10 minutes early to sign in). Contact Natasha: thype@hotmail.co.uk / 0117 935 1200
Fridays, 12.30-2.30pm
A weekly meet for parents, carers & their preschoolers to enjoy seasonal activities and the urban outdoors in our beautiful community garden – Free! Contact Helen: helenw@3ca.org.uk / 0117 935 1200
Fri 14 Aug, 10am-4pm
Are you 13-21 yrs old? Try something new for free! Drums, Guitar, DJ, MC, Vocals, Production; followed by a BBQ and your chance to perform on our stage!
Contact Karina: info@3ca.org.uk / 0117 935 1200
]]>
Photo @ KoLAB Studios
Joan is a young women who has been home schooled. She struggles being around groups of young people but really enjoys the opportunity to play one to one with a music teacher. Joan now plays the bass and until her introduction to Making Tracks mainly played alone.
“Trinity as a whole seems to be a safe space for Joan. She seems quite nervous when I've seen her mix with people outside, but when she is mixing with people inside Trinity she's really open. So I think it's important for her to have a space like that... it really seems to be benefiting her.” Bridget, Trinity music tutor
Having taken part in group sessions at both Basement Studios and ACE where she struggled in integrate with other young participants she was offered one to one bass lessons at Trinity.
“Even though I have a bass at home I like playing music with people, so it's given me an opportunity to play music with people, which then gives me more inspiration to play at home. I’ve definitely been taught a lot that I wouldn't have learned if I just played on my own. I've got a lot more confident with playing music and I feel like I understand my instrument more than I did before.”
Her experience at Trinity has marked a significant improvement in Joan’s musical ability, her confidence and her motivation.
When she started lessons she described herself as playing “only one song on one string of the bass” whereas now she has mastered “a whole playlist of songs”. She has developed a good relationship with her music tutor, who she feels understands her and responds well to her individual needs.
Making Tracks is supported by Youth Music and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, as well as support from match funders.
]]>