South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 20/07/2012

The Arts Council of England has announced that South Gloucestershire’s Music and Arts Service will be awarded £831,000 to set up and run the hub over the next three years, in partnership with a wide range of local organisations.

The hub concept aims to ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to sing and learn a musical instrument, by promoting joined-up, high quality music provision both in and out of school.

As the hub provider for South Gloucestershire, the music and arts service will work with schools, practitioners, communities and music organisations such as WOMAD, The Bristol Music Trust and the Creative Youth Network to promote music provision and nurture young talent.

Special music making opportunities will also be created for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and large-scale music making will be continued to be offered at Music Centres and via a new Choral programme.

The announcement also means that thousands of young musicians in South Gloucestershire will continue to receive ‘first access’ music tuition in which Year 4 children are given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument for one term.

Welcoming the news, South Gloucestershire Council executive member for children and young people, Sheila Cook said: “This award by the Arts Council of England is a very welcome recognition of the authority’s strong track record in music provision.

“I am delighted that the council’s music and arts service will be delivering the district’s new hub and we look forward to working with our partners to broaden access to music-making opportunities, nurture our musical talent and promote a life long enjoyment of music among our young people.”