Getting the help you need

Are you aged between 5 and 17 and looking for funding for your music making?  AYM may be able to help! Have a read about our Awards programme. If we're not the right fit for you, you may still find some of the resources and information about other opportunities at the bottom of this page useful or interesting.

Annual Awards

Our Awards

Each year we invite talented young musicians aged 5-17, to apply for up to £2,000 to help with musical costs. This may include buying an instrument, paying for lessons or travel, buying equipment etc.

This is a means-tested scheme so whether you are able to eligible for funding will depend on the income of your parents/carers. More information about this can be found here.

All genres are welcomed and you do not need to have taken formal exams to apply.  This programme is for young people who have already made some significant progress in their music making though, so we're afraid we can't support the costs of starting out on an instrument.

As well as funding, we help young musicians on the programme access a range of music making opportunities, which may include workshops, performances or mentoring.

 

Other help and opportunities

As a small charity our funding is limited and we cannot directly support all the talented young musicians who ask for our help. We hope that the following information about other opportunities may be helpful to you, whether we can can help you directly, or not.

“I don’t envisage a time in my life when I will stop playing violin, and I plan on making music a part of my career.” 

Music has always been 15 year old Maisie’s core passion.   She started playing the violin…

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A night of music at Third Man Records

On Tuesday 6 June we hosted a fundraising gig that brought together AYM supporters and…

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“Since I was very young, I’ve been hearing beats in my head and tapping out rhythms – it just comes naturally to me!”

Growing up, Joshua had loads of musical potential. He just needed somewhere to use it!…

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“For me, music is everything and my whole life revolves around it.” 

When 14 year old Tristan started playing in brass bands, he was inspired to have…

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A day of gospel music at Lewisham Music

On Saturday 25 March 2023 we hosted a gospel music workshop for young musicians in…

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“Piano is really important to me, it helps me to find a voice because I’m quite shy but I don’t have to be shy when I play piano.”

Theodore and Arthur are 12 year old brothers who live in Wales. Playing piano is…

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Gospel Music Industry Alliance partners with Awards for Young Musicians and Lewisham Music

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) by…

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“Music is a form of expression – it allows you to create whatever you want, no matter the quality.”

For 14 year old Wiktor, playing the guitar is a way of connecting with others….

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‘Summer Blast’ joint Get Together at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Back in July, students from four of our Furthering Talent Partner Hubs from Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire,…

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Awards Day 2022: Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

On Sunday 17 July 2022 we were thrilled to host our first in person Awards…

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“Lockdown during the pandemic was tough and I struggled to find motivation. But during such time AYM were there virtually to help us through it!”

18 year old violinist Kayla is just one of the 800 young musicians we’re currently…

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AYM goes to the BBC Proms

Earlier this year we launched an exciting mentoring partnership project with the BBC Symphony Orchestra….

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“Music is a big part of my life and I can’t imagine a time where I’ll not be playing.”

16 year old David is quickly establishing a reputation for himself as a musician. He…

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“Music has truly changed Rhys’s life and given him hope. All I can say is thank you so much for helping my son find his smile.”

14 year old guitarist Rhys from Egham first applied for an AYM Award in 2021,…

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Champions for Children – Meet Shammah

This week, as part of our Champions for Children appeal, we’re introducing you to seven…

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Meet Hawa and Sulieman – Champions for Children

This week, as part of our Champions for Children appeal, we’re introducing you to seven…

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Champions for Children 2022 – Meet Princetta

In partnership with Lewisham Music, this week (Tuesday 14 June to Tuesday 21 June), we’re…

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Champions for Children appeal is now live!

In partnership with Lewisham Music, this week (Tuesday 14 June to Tuesday 21 June), we’re…

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An Evening at Lauderdale House

On Tuesday 22 March 2022 three of our Award winners performed to an audience of…

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“Music is something that I will be doing for the rest of my life.” 

16 year old Phoebe is a singer and songwriter from Suffolk. Brought up in a…

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“I’m getting so good at playing now and I never want to stop.”

8 year old Millie was one of the first pupils who joined our Furthering Talent…

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“Music means more to me than I can say.”

16 year old Noah from Surrey began playing the French horn when he was 7…

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“Music is a common language.”

15 year old Sophia has been through many changes on her musical journey over the…

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Other funding opportunities for young musicians

Are you overwhelmed and not sure where to begin in order to find funding for…

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“My favourite musical is The Lion King. When I grow up I would love to play the violin in the orchestra pit for this show.”

For the Big Give Christmas Challenge week, we’ve been sharing stories of what music means to seven…

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