Young Sounds UK
For a quarter of a century, Young Sounds UK has been helping talented young musicians whose family finances or social circumstances would otherwise hold them back. Their belief is simple: musical talent turns up everywhere, but opportunity does not, and that gap is what they exist to close.
History
The charity, formerly known as Awards for Young Musicians, traces its roots to 1998, when the sale of a private collection of stringed instruments and books seeded what became The Musicas Fund. Sir Simon Rattle has been their founding patron since the earliest days. They are currently part of Arts Council England's National Portfolio and one of a small group of newly designated National Youth Music Organisations, and are now rolling out a multi year, government backed pilot aimed at widening access still further for children with special educational needs and those from low income households.
Mission
Their work runs across four strands. Discover trains teachers and youth workers to recognise musical potential in the young people they already see every day. Connect places local specialists in music education hub regions to link families with opportunities near them. Thrive is their funding arm, offering grants worth up to £2,000 alongside mentoring and performance chances for individual musicians. Innovate sees them acting as an independent voice pushing new thinking across the wider talent development sector.
Since their founding they have reached around 1,400 young people, handed out more than £160,000 in awards and bursaries, and trained over a thousand teachers to spot musical potential in their classrooms.