In our independent role we bring together some of the most innovative and creative minds around. Through pioneering programmes like the Musical Progressions Roundtable and our Talent to Talent mentoring programme we continue to seek new ways to make a difference to the musical futures of talented young people.
We’re proud of the way we’ve used our independent role in music education to become a thought leader in talent development. Twelve years ago a strategic review of how AYM could develop its work led to us identifying four key obstacles to young people’s progression. We structured our new business plan around tackling these obstacles, which were specifically those where we could make a meaningful strategic difference. Our approach at all times was to work collaboratively and in a joined up way with our colleagues across the sector to help young people achieve their musical potential.
We began by co-commissioning research into the impact of whole class instrumental tuition and whether talented children’s needs were being addressed within this model. Alongside this we brought together key partners for new action research, which led to the establishment of our Identifying Talent programme. Convening and leading the Musical Progressions Roundtables came next. Its findings had a transformative effect on our Furthering Talent programme, leading to both Practical Progression and Talent to Talent. As we move beyond our 20th year we continue to develop new ways to enhance our support for the young people we’re here to help.
We worked with the Department for Education and Music Mark to co-commission a report evaluating the impact of whole class instrumental tuition.
More recently we hosted the influential Musical Progressions Roundtable (MPR). This involved colleagues from across the sector and many young people too and led to a major shift in how progression is viewed across the sector. The MPR’s findings in particular informed the development of both Furthering Talent and our Talent to Talent young musician-led mentoring programme supported by Arts Council England.
With support from Arts Council England we piloted our peer-mentoring scheme Talent to Talent across 2016 and 19. The programme aims to enable young musicians to take a lead and discover more about their musical self through sharing ideas and experiences with a mentor and/or mentee at a different stage in their musical development. 45 AYM supported young musicians were involved in the pilot across 18 months.
We are currently piloting this peer-led training programme. Delivered by musical leaders, for music leaders, the training aims to build on music leaders’ existing tool kit, whatever setting they are working in. The training will look at different ways to support young people to overcome obstacles to their music making. An accompanying film series, also called Practical Progression is already available. Keep a look out for more information to come.
We’ll always continue to explore new ways to improve the way talented young people from low income families can be supported. The young people we help are constantly striving to be excellent musicians, and we continually strive to be better enablers. We support each of their musical journeys, refining, developing and evaluating the way that we work, to research new approaches that can help make a difference in the lives of talented young people.
2009 – 2014 Advocating for the musical needs of young people across the sector has always been a priority for […]
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