YOUNG people in East Oxford have been discovering musical talents they never knew existed thanks to a new citywide project.

Arts charity Oxford Contemporary Music (OCM) ran school holiday courses last year to teach children how to play instruments, write songs and develop more musical skills.

Children who completed the project, held during the summer and October half-term, were given awards for their work by Lord Mayor Rae Humberstone at a ceremony last Friday.

The initiative was created through a partnership between OCM and the East Oxford Early Intervention Hub.

OCM education and outreach officer Jordon Maynard-Daley said it had helped to “awaken the creative talent” of which many children had been unaware.

He added: “When we started the project many of the kids came in and were very nervous as they didn’t know each other.

“But as the weeks went on and they began learning more about music, they really began to bond as friends. They have been working together as a team and a couple of them have started to show really strong leadership skills.”

Of the 20 children who took part, 12 were presented with either an Arts Award Explore – for those aged between eight and 11 – or an Arts Award Bronze for 12 to 18s. Children took part in a workshop with an experienced artist, researched an artist who inspired them and passed on what they had learnt to others.

Other activities included learning to be a DJ, songwriting, using music technology and introducing new instruments.

East Oxford hub worker James Ottley said: “Not only have the children got these awards, they have learnt lots of music skills and styles of music they weren’t even aware of before.

“The workers at the hub have commented on the differences they have seen in the children, and many of the young people are looking for more music projects to take part in.”

The project was also funded by a £5,000 grant through the city council’s Positive Futures initiative, which gives money to support local projects for young people. This year OCM is looking for more partners in Oxford to help them run music projects with local children. For more information call 01865 484787.