New partnership aims to strengthen music education across South Yorkshire

Global superstar visits the Sheffield Music Hub

The region’s Music Hubs are set to come together to form a new South Yorkshire Music Hub, with the aim of strengthening opportunities for music education.

The existing Sheffield Music Hub, and hubs in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham will form the new South Yorkshire Music Hub (SYMH), led by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and funded by the Arts Council England (ACE).

The new partnership is part of an ambitious national programme aiming to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people, by the ACE.

Sheffield Music Hub already has a fantastic track-record of delivering music education across Sheffield. They support 9,000 children every week to access music provision in the city’s schools, and in the last academic year put on a programme of over 50 concerts and events.

The Hub has created a range of unique and life changing opportunities for the city’s young people. Through the Studio Orchestra project, young musicians were given chance to perform on the main stage at this year’s Tramlines Festival, in front of tens of thousands of spectators.

Earlier this year, thousands of Sheffield children were involved recording a rendition of Stormzy’s “Blinded By Your Grace” ahead of the MOBO Awards taking place in the city – and many were given the opportunity to meet the MOBO Founder and CEO, Kanya King, as well as MOBO Award winning artist, Bugzy Malone.

The work of the Hub has gained national attention and recognition, as well. Earlier this year, they were visited by global superstar Ed Sheeran, who wanted to see the work for himself.

Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

“Sheffield is a city of music and culture, from our flagship music venues to the world-famous bands that were born here and that now have a significant influence on the UK’s music scene. 

“This is incredibly inspiring for our young people, so to be able to deliver music education that offers them exciting opportunities and a platform to develop their talent and follow their dreams is so important.

“We are incredible proud of the work being done by the Sheffield Music Hub, which is an asset to the city and our young people. We are looking forward seeing what they can achieve as part of the SYMH.”

SYMH, was launched this this morning at the Annual Conference of Music Hubs in South Yorkshire at Barnsley’s Civic Centre and formalises the new partnership.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will also join the partnership to lead a South Yorkshire approach to developing music education.

As part of the agreement, SYMCA will receive an additional £600,000 capital grant from the Department of Education to invest in new musical instruments, equipment and technology tailored to the needs of children and young people in South Yorkshire, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

It will also coordinate the existing revenue funding currently received by the other partner organisations.

The new SYMH will continue the excellent work of South Yorkshire’s four local Music Hubs, which have supported thousands of young people’s music education.

Those organisations will continue to deliver music education across South Yorkshire. The new partnership will add to this by strengthening relationships across South Yorkshire, bringing people together and linking to other exciting opportunities.

The creation of the South Yorkshire Music Hub is part of a major investment in a new generation of the nationwide network of Music Hubs.

This investment will help to deliver the Government’s National Plan for Music Education and give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their musical interests as far as they wish, including helping them to begin careers in the music industry.

Pete Massey, Northern Economy and Partnerships Director and Director, North at Arts Council England said:

"Music education is enormously powerful – it enriches young people's lives, helps them connect with the people around them, and starts them on the pathway to fruitful and fulfilling careers.

“We are excited that this investment not only brings high-quality music education to even more children and young people across South Yorkshire, but also provides hundreds of new musical instruments ensuring that no child misses out on the magic of making music."

The SYMH will focus on delivering accessible to all children and young people in South Yorkshire through diverse partnerships between educational, creative and community organisations, in their local communities and throughout the country.