ABRSM launches Play On fund

The UK’s largest music education body, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) has today announced the launch of a new fund designed to support grassroots music education projects around the world. The Play On fund is open from today.

Organised in partnership with music organisation The Commonwealth Resounds, Play On will offer grantees around the world more funding for a broader range of projects. The Commonwealth Resounds will administer the fund, with applications open on the organisation website until 26 February.

ABRSM chief executive Chris Cobb said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of everything the International Sponsorship Fund has achieved and are excited about reaching even further. Working in partnership with The Commonwealth Resounds means we’ll connect with new networks and be able to support more learners than ever to experience the richness of music in their lives.’

The Play On fund is intended to build upon the 10-year legacy of ABRSM’s International Sponsorship Fund (ISF). Launched in 2012, the ISF was designed to support music education and achievement worldwide and reached 5,000 music learners across six continents.

Organisations based anywhere outside the UK can apply for grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 to support their promotion of music in a variety of ways including training teachers, offering music education programmes or tackling barriers to accessing music.

Alison Cox, who founded The Commonwealth Resounds in 2005, said: ‘I am proud and delighted that The Commonwealth Resounds is able to continue working in partnership with ABRSM to deliver Play On. This will help support the work of those who are running excellent musical initiatives and greatly valued training programmes for people across the globe.’