Current and Past Projects
Alongside our programme, we deliver time-limited projects that sit alongside and grow from our core work. All are rooted in the same approach; accessible, co-created and embedded in communities, supporting people to share their stories, find their voice and connect through music.
Current Projects
Pop Choir Project
Pop Choir Project is a singing project for adults. There are no auditions, no solos, and you don’t need to be able to read music to join!
We sing joyful pop songs to boost well-being and have a good time.
Past Projects
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Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass (2025)
A community heritage project that brought together residents’ stories of Washington to create songs, podcasts, artwork and live performances celebrating the town’s history and identity.
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Public Record (2025)
A National Theatre production bringing together community from across Sunderland to explore identity, music, love, joy and loss. YMP performed as a cameo group within the show, contributing to a nationally significant performance.
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Sweet Caroline and the Football Boots (2024)
An interactive, music-led show for young children and families about a football-loving girl who forms an unlikely friendship while discovering her confidence, talent and the courage to challenge stereotypes.
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Our Past, Our Future (2024)
In partnership with English Heritage, YMP members took inspiration for songwriting, creating and recording new music from heritage sites, connecting local history with contemporary voices.
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Front Street Songs Community Tour (2023)
Bringing live, interactive music performances directly into neighbourhood spaces—transforming streets, parks and community venues into accessible, family-friendly gigs that invite whole communities to take part.
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Songs of the Streets (2023)
A participatory heritage project that worked with 1719 and local residents to gather stories and turn them into original songs, creating a musical map of Sunderland’s East End and celebrating its community history.
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Rising Up (2022)
A creative project supporting survivors of domestic abuse to share their experiences through music, writing and art, building confidence and wellbeing while amplifying their voices and stories.
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Singing Your Stories (2021)
A lockdown project that connected isolated older people with musicians, who turned their life stories into original songs and shared them through personal “phone gigs” and recordings.
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Lasses and Lyrics (2021)
A heritage project that supported young female musicians to uncover forgotten stories of women in Sunderland and turn them into original songs through research, collaboration and performance.
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YMP Paint the Town in Sound (2021)
A creative project, with photographer Andy Martin, as part of the Arts Council Collection exhibition Paint the Town in Sound, exploring music and visual art through collaboration and responses to sound, identity and place.
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Front Street Songs (2020)
Front Street Songs brought live, interactive music performances into streets, parks, community venues and family spaces across Sunderland, creating accessible, joyful music experiences for children and families.