Sunderland youngsters to benefit from free music programme

Sunderland youngsters with difficulty accessing the arts will benefit from a new programme coming to the city.
Youngsters taking part in the Awards for Young Musicians music programme. Photo by Edward Webb of Weyside ProductionsYoungsters taking part in the Awards for Young Musicians music programme. Photo by Edward Webb of Weyside Productions
Youngsters taking part in the Awards for Young Musicians music programme. Photo by Edward Webb of Weyside Productions

Through Sunderland Music Hub, Sunderland has been chosen as one of five new areas which will be taking part in the Furthering Talent Programme with the Awards for Young Musicians charity over the next year.

The programme provides the opportunity for talented young people who are in challenging circumstances to have free music lessons, a bursary to spend on their musical development and other support.

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Awards For Young Musicians (AYM) will work with Sunderland Music Hub to help young people engage with music by supporting young musicians from low income families with funding and other help and supporting music education through training, advocacy and research.

Lizzie Nixon, manager of Sunderland Music Hub, which works with schools and community groups across Sunderland, said: “We’re really excited to be part of the Furthering Talent Programme.

“Too often talented young musicians are unable to continue their musical journey because of financial issues or other challenging circumstances.

“We want Sunderland to be the place where all young musicians thrive, regardless of their background or life circumstances, and the Furthering Talent Programme will play a big part in us realising this ambition.”

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Neil Phillips, the Furthering Talent programme manager, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming five new Hub partners to the Furthering Talent family.

“We were overwhelmed by both the number and quality of applications we received, which made the decision-making process extremely difficult.

“Each of our new partners strongly demonstrated the needs of local young people in their applications and had exciting ideas for aligning Furthering Talent with their existing work. It’s an extremely exciting time for the programme with each of our 15 partner Hubs presenting diverse demographics and challenges.”

Established 20 years ago, the national AYM charity offers young people holistic, tailor-made support to further their music education by funding instruments, lessons, transport, expanding young people’s musical networks and giving them opportunities to perform.

It also offers varied programmes, including training teachers in identifying and nurturing talent wherever they find it.

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