New Youth Music project launches with quest for junior producers

By James Powell | 4 November 2025

‘Booked’ aims to bring live music to libraries whilst also providing some fantastic opportunities and experience to local young people in Ipswich and Haverhill.

Blending live music with libraries’ literary heritage, Booked will bring intimate music gigs to libraries in the evening – all coordinated and performed by new talent from the local area!

The project opens with a call-out to 18-25 year olds who are passionate about music and interested in new paid Junior Assistant Producer roles. The roles offer eight people a total of 12 days work between January to June in 2026 – with a chance to shape, deliver and perform a series of mini lo-fi concerts set within the warm familiarity of Ipswich or Haverhill libraries.

Full role details and information on how to apply can be found pe site-ul nostru web. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 17 November. There will be other opportunities to volunteer, perform and get involved behind the scenes.

Working alongside other young people, industry professionals, library staff, musicians and artists, this is an amazing opportunity to get hands-on experience with event-planning, sound engineering, artist liaison, marketing and media production.

You don’t need formal qualifications or music experience to apply. Suffolk Community Libraries want to work with individuals who are underrepresented in the sector and/or come from low-income backgrounds.

For more information or help with the form please email libraries.arts@suffolk.gov.uk

Suffolk Community Libraries is working in partnership with Brighten the Corners, Suffolk New College, Haverhill Arts Centre, Out of Time Records and BBC Introducing Suffolk & Norfolk.

The Booked project is backed by Youth Music, thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

Nadia Cenci, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“I’m delighted to see this project launched which is a great initiative for Suffolk Community Libraries and will provide some fantastic opportunities for young people in Suffolk to develop their creative skills and provide valuable experience for their future careers.”

Sally Garwood, Suffolk Community Libraries Senior Creative Producer, said:

“Booked is a music-in-libraries project we’re incredibly proud to bring to life. It’s designed to open doors for new creatives, offering both paid and voluntary opportunities for people at the beginning of their careers.
 
“After finishing media studies, I found it tough to get creative work in Ipswich. University wasn’t the right fit for me – I wasn’t especially academic, and learning on the job and earning at the same time was right for me. Like many others trying to break into the creative industries, I ended up having to leave Suffolk to find opportunities.
 
“Booked is our way of changing that story – creating real entry points into the creative sector right here in our local libraries. We’re using these welcoming, familiar spaces as catalysts for new talent to start up, level up, and develop skills in the communities they come from.”

A spokesperson from Youth Music added:

“Booked is an amazing project helping to open doors for young creatives outside of London. This fits with Youth Music’s mission to equalise access to music for young people, and why 86% of our funding goes outside of the capital.”

Youth Music is a national charity which helps marginalised young people to make and monetise music. Every year, they raise £10 million to fund inspirational grassroots music projects and support aspiring young creatives up and down the UK. Youth Music are campaigning to break down barriers for young people facing inequity, exclusion and discrimination.