Young Sounds UK programme ‘supercharged’ with backing from Department for Education

National music education charity, Young Sounds UK is set to launch a new phase of its Connect with £2 million in support from the Department for Education. The four-year programme starts this month and will reach up to 1,000 young people in 12 regions of the UK.

With funding totalling £5.8 million, the pilot programme will benefit emerging talent in key areas including Sunderland, Bradford, Bury, and Stoke-on-Trent, offering ‘targeted support’ to help develop young musicians. The scheme builds on Young Sounds UK’s long running Connect programme, which aims to help young people from low-income households and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Young Sounds chief executive Hester Cockcroft said: ‘Fifteen years since it was first piloted, we are delighted to be able to supercharge the programme model over the next four years through the Music Opportunities Pilot. Collaborating with parents/carers, music educators, and an amazing group of Music Hubs and national partners, we will continue to learn together, and share our learning, so that many more young people’s musical lives can flourish in the future.’

The intensive support offered through the Connect programme includes free weekly instrumental or singing lessons, personal bursaries, and access to mentors, as well as termly ‘Get Together’ events with professional musicians. Young Sounds UK will be working with partners including ABRSM, BBC, Music Mark, Music Masters, National Youth Orchestra, Open Up Music and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra which will provide additional resources, mentorship, and opportunities for Connect participants.