Culture buzz is the sound of good music in young ears.

Byline: By Amanda Crook

It's impossible to miss the culture buzz on Tyneside with the Baltic and Sage music centre now dominating the skyline.

This arts revival has persuaded a new charity, determined to make top-level live music accessible to all, to open a new office in the region.

Live Music Now launched its North East branch last month, pledging to bring professional musicians to children who never normally experience this kind of performance.

It is also hoping to work with The Sage to help young, gifted musicians build careers in the region.

The charity, which brought a fiddle, flute, whistles and guitar group to schools across the region last year, hope by expanding its work in the region it will raise the profile and enjoyment of all kinds of music.

Leading the charity is Karen Irwin, 34, who said: "Arts and music in particular are really taking off here. I think people have been inspired by The Sage.

"We want to make sure children who don't normally have access to professional musicians get a chance to experience inspirational music.

"Music can unlock children's imaginations. I have seen disruptive children transfixed by our musicians, much to the amazement of their teachers."

Karen, who lives in Gateshead, is an enthusiastic amateur musician, playing viola in the New Tyneside Orchestra.

She believes that her personal passion for music is crucial for spreading the LMN philosophy that music promotes all sorts of social development skills, listening, communicating.

LMN musicians often spend time working with children to compose a simple tune and this can teach team work and creativity.

Last year they toured Gibside School in Whickham; Bamburgh School, South Shields; Sir Charles Parsons School, Walker; Thomas Bewick School, Chapel Park; Ashleigh School, North Shields and the Percy Hedley School, Forest Hall.

One of the charity's biggest fans is Steven Auster, music co-ordinator for Sunderland City Council. He has been hiring LMN bands from London to tour city schools each year.

He said: "I came across Live Music 20 years ago and I was impressed not only by the quality of the music but also the musicians' communication skills, which really draw in their audiences.

"The musicians have a real skill for aiming their performance at just the right level. I have watched them with audiences aged three to 19 and with children with special needs.

"Now that the charity has a base in the region I'm looking forward to seeing more bands and watching local youngsters create a name for themselves at home."

Andy May, 25, from Gateshead, who plays the Northumbrian pipes, is hoping to benefit from the support of LMN.

He performed at LMN's launch at the Baltic last month and has applied to become one of the first North East musicians to play at the charity's special performances.

LMN musicians are drawn from a wide variety of genres.To take part in the project they must demonstrate a very high standard of musicianship and good communication skills.

They perform for children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and emotional or behavioural difficulties in special schools, pupil referral units, youth centres and clubs.

There are also special concerts for children and families in rural areas and as part of festivals.

In many cases the musicians hold extended workshop sessions with musicians for children to compose, play, conduct, sing and dance, creating and performing their own music.

N For more information contact Karen Irwin on [phone].