Furthering Talent

Furthering Talent helps musicians from the earliest stage in their musical journey. The programme is specifically designed to help young people from low income families sustain their musical learning after initial state-funded whole-class lessons end, so they can keep on progressing and playing music well into their teens and beyond.

In detail

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Everyone selected for the programme receives weekly instrumental tuition for a minimum of two academic years, as well as wider help for their musical progression in the form of an Individual Learning Plan. They’re also invited to a range of termly musical experiences called ‘Get Togethers’ as well as receiving a personal bursary to support their ongoing progression. This holistic support means the programme has a very high continuation rate.

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We work closely with our partners, including schools and Music Hubs, to identify the young people who could benefit most from our help. In each Hub the programme is managed by a Local Co-ordinator who works closely with the families and young people, some of whom may be living in challenging circumstances beyond limited finances. This makes effective communication with families and schools even more critical.

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As of April 2023, an exciting new phase called Furthering Talent Connect will be launched where we will be working with 10 Music Hubs in England. With Youth Music’s help we'll be continuing to support upwards of 600 young people. This new phase will further embed the principles of inclusive musical practice and child-led, personalised learning within partner Hubs. More details of Furthering Talent Connect will be shared soon.

Picture : Lorne Campbell / Guzelian
Albright Kodom Abrafi,  11, a pupil at the Academy at St James School in Bradford , West Yorkshire, signals the end of term and the start of school holidays, by  playing slow melodies on his euphonium, during his last day of school before moving to secondary school.
PICTURE TAKEN ON WEDNESDAY 21 JULY 2021

Described as ‘overwhelmingly successful’ by music education expert Richard Hallam, in his external evaluation of the programme Furthering Talent has received significant support from Youth Music since 2014.  We were also a founding member of the Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England. The work has been made possible by funding from the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

Everyone selected for the programme receives weekly instrumental tuition for a minimum of two academic years, as well as wider help for their musical progression in the form of an Individual Learning Plan. They’re also invited to a range of termly musical experiences called ‘Get Togethers’ as well as receiving a personal bursary to support their ongoing progression. This holistic support means the programme has a very high continuation rate.

We work closely with our partners, including schools and Music Hubs, to identify the young people who could benefit most from our help. In each Hub the programme is managed by a Local Co-ordinator who works closely with the families and young people, some of whom may be living in challenging circumstances beyond limited finances. This makes effective communication with families and schools even more critical.

As of April 2023, an exciting new phase called Furthering Talent Connect will be launched where we will be working with 10 Music Hubs in England. With Youth Music’s help we'll be continuing to support upwards of 600 young people. This new phase will further embed the principles of inclusive musical practice and child-led, personalised learning within partner Hubs. More details of Furthering Talent Connect will be shared soon.

Described as ‘overwhelmingly successful’ by music education expert Richard Hallam, in his external evaluation of the programme Furthering Talent has received significant support from Youth Music since 2014.  We were also a founding member of the Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England. The work has been made possible by funding from the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

AYM Connectors

We have established a network of experts across the music education sector in England. We’re calling them ‘Connectors’ and their role is to connect young people and families with musical experiences in their local area. They exist to find appropriate opportunities and share valuable information on how best to support young people’s musical development.

Young People's Programme Panel

In 2021 we started the Young People’s Programme Panel; a group of young musicians on our Furthering Talent programme, who meet online twice a year. Chaired by AYM mentors, this is a space for them to chat about their experiences on Furthering Talent and explore the ideas for how to make the programme even better. 

This session is led by young people and it's an opportunity to meet young people from different parts of the country and make some important decisions about how AYM support other young musicians.

If you are or know a young musician on the Furthering Talent programme who would like to participate please ask a parent or carer to contact Furthering Talent Programme Manager Neil Phillips at [email protected].

Meet our Partner Hubs

Click on the logos to find out more.

Youth Music 2019
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News from Furthering Talent

Clowning around with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

A guest story from our Furthering Talent Ambassador Hub The Music Partnership! This piece first appeared in their Spring newsletter…

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Become an AYM Music Hub partner!

We’re searching for 10 new Music Hub partners to join the next phase of our Furthering Talent Connect programme in…

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AYM hosts mentor training weekend for young music leaders

On the last weekend of September 2023, we ran a three-day training weekend hosted by our friends and partners at…

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A Get Together at the University of Hull!

Students from our Furthering Talent programme in Hull recently started the new school year with a visit to the University…

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Furthering Talent in Manchester City 

Children from Saviour Church of England Primary School in Manchester have been taking great steps forward in their musical journey. …

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An afternoon of Power Folk with Joe Broughton

Sunday 2 July 2023 saw young musicians from our Furthering Talent programme in Hull and Bradford come together for a…

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