How it all began...

In 2003, an Aberdeen mother, Debbie Kirkness, set up a singing group for young people near her home in Dyce. Originally known as Music Makers, the group quickly grew as word spread within the local community.

Debbie organised a Summer Club in 2003, giving it an exciting, music-based theme. ‘Mostly Music’ ran for a week, transforming the Dyce hall into a make-believe recording studio, where the children ‘recorded’ one of Debbie’s own creations entitled ‘Song for Tomorrow’.

During this successful and highly entertaining week, one of the children asked an innocent question – ‘Can we do this for real?’ Never one to turn down a challenge, Debbie began making enquiries about recording ‘for real’. A range of fundraising activities and donations allowed the recording to take place. With 1,000 copies sold, the proceeds of £5,000 were distributed to a number of charities, including Ava’s Fund in memory of local girl, Ava Middler, and the Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland (CHAS).

Our first concert, in April 2004, was a huge step forward for our group after 14 months of hard work. With songs from Fischy Music, written by Edinburgh-based Stephen Fischbacher, the concert was great fun for performers and audience.

Soon after the concert, Debbie was joined by Sarah Littlejohn, a graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. Sarah’s enthusiasm and skills have enabled the young people we work with to reach for higher goals, showing tremendous improvements in vocal harmony and general musicianship.

Since then, our organisation has gone from strength to strength, with numerous exciting projects, including the release of a second CD and more performances in Aberdeen and beyond.

Music 4 U became a registered charity in December 2005.