Making tracks: bp pulse x Music Workshop

Find out how we're amplifying the impact of the community music charity with funding support

Since early 2023 we have been working with Music Workshop - a Bath-based community charity which delivers music lessons and provides live performance opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds. Its emphasis is harnessing the power of music to promote fun, creativity and inclusivity.

As part of its student programme, Music Workshop travels across the country creating memorable music experiences. And this is where we at bp pulse come in - with our network of EV charging points across the UK. We have funded an electric minibus, now affectionately known as the 'MUW bus', which journeys over 7,500 miles a year, taking students and equipment to various musical destinations.

In addition to the new electric minibus, our funding support has also enabled the purchase of new instruments, including drumkits, keyboards and guitars for Music Workshop students, as well as the upgrade of vital live music equipment, such as guitar amps, PA speakers and stage monitors.

Making tracks: Music Workshop heads to Abbey Road Studios

In November 2023, Music Workshop drove a group of students in the all-electric MUW bus to Abbey Road Studios in London - the famous recording studios, which has hosted musical artists such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Adele. As part of the 'Road to Abbey Road' project, students were gifted a once-in-a-lifetime experience: after weeks of rehearsals, they recorded a set of original tracks they had penned themselves. Keep an eye on the Music Workshop social channels for videos of their Abbey Road experience.

Hitting the electric road: Music Workshop does festival season

Throughout 2023, Music Workshop has also taken its bp pulse-funded electric minibus to several events across the country including Bath Carnival, Queens Park Day and CarFest - the music and motoring festival created by DJ Chris Evans. Music Workshop performed every day at the three-day CarFest event as a band of teachers and students, and also held a musical instrument petting zoo, giving festival goers the opportunity to try a range of instruments and unleash their inner rockstar.

A musically beneficial partnership!

Kim Hoefkens-Lee, founder of Music Workshop, said: "We're incredibly excited about the opportunities that our new electric minibus brings in terms of the places we can visit and the new experiences our community will benefit from. Our students are already enjoying their new and upgraded instruments and equipment which have enabled a multitude of live performances. This step forward for our charity has been made possible by bp pulse's support, meaning we can continue to shape our future and engage with even more people who don't currently have access to music."

Paul Goodmaker, Global Sponsorship Director at bp, added: "bp pulse is thrilled to support Music Workshop, helping the charity to create memorable live music experiences that benefit communities. We're delighted that our support has made new instruments and equipment possible, as well as enabling the charity to hit the road and create EV adventures."

Watch this space for more projects with Music Workshop, and for more information about the charity visit www.musicworkshop.org.uk