GEORGE TOWN, February 14 – Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) is achieving another success under the Youth with Rhythm: Youth in Music initiative. We held our very first open mic event in Sound Maker Studio last Saturday. Six groups of musicians registered to perform that night. The performances include singing, rapping, beatboxing, and playing some instruments. It was a chill and relaxing night.
Performers include Eunice Seah, Bryan Soo, Kozyy Band, Skillzow and Leonietunez, Fiza Ali and Likynn. This initiative was done together with Soundmaker Studio as co-organiser. The Open Mic Night was conducted as a part of the Youth with Rhythm initiative that aims to encourage individuals and groups to join and cast light on hidden talents. Open Mic created a stage and gave the youth the chance to make their voice heard.
The Penang State government is aware that the talents in Penang yearn for a platform to perform and showcase their talents. Open mic was meant for musicians to hangout and mingle and where they will be able to play and perform and even if they have no experience and make blunders. But that’s the spirit that we want from Open Mic. We want the youth to enjoy, to learn from the experience and have a good time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to conduct an open mic by Facebook Live to continue connecting and creating community even though we could not be together physically. All of our young people have boundless talents, and potential and Open Mic Night offers a chance for them to realize that potential.
The event is the latest in a series of opportunities for Penang youth (aged between 15 to 40) who are a musician, songwriter, and performer to gain some experience by joining public gigs, showing off their talents, and present new songs and music. These opportunities give our youth a supportive outlet that allows them to express their feeling and identity while they build confidence in the industry.
Gwee Sai Ling, the General Manager of PYDC mentioned that music is not just a great way for the youth to escape from the hustle-bustle of life and release their stress, but it is also a great way for the youth to express their creative side. The reason why music helps to release stress is that listening to music releases endorphins, which make people happy. These endorphins help to counteract and distract people from the pain and stress.
“I believe that developing the youth is very important, but we need to develop the holistically for them to be able to reach their full potential. Developing them on just one aspect is not enough, thus why PYDC has been organizing various programs on different aspects for the youth to join and learn new knowledge and skills.”
With this initiative, PYDC hopes that Penang Youth will be encouraged to take part in performing arts as they find their interest and enhance their talents, which in turn will make them an asset in the performing industry.
Not only that, it will also be able to help them to build self-confidence, courage, and problem-solving skills as they will perform in front of the public as well as provide a platform for the young performing artists in Penang to enhance communication and execute ideas and performances.
If you want to start a career in music by starting a band or becoming a musician, this is a good chance for you. Register with us under Youth with Rhythm: Youth in Music initiative to be featured as a musician in our website. To register and join us, go to our website at https://www.youthforfuture.my/pendaftaran-bakat-belia-pulau-pinang.
