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What are Music Hubs?

Music Hubs are partnerships that support, deliver and enable access to music education for children and young people within a local area. These partnerships are co-ordinated by a Hub Lead Organisation and can include schools, local authorities, community groups, music organisations, industry and more.

Hertfordshire Music Service - Lead Organisation

Hertfordshire Music Service has been appointed by Arts Council England to lead the Hertfordshire Music Hub from September 2024, as part of an ambitious national programme to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people.

As the Lead Organisation, Hertfordshire Music Service will deliver the three aims set out in the National Plan for Music Education:

  1. To support schools and other education settings to deliver high-quality music education
  2. To support young people to further develop their musical interests and talent, including into employment
  3. To support all children and young people to engage with a range of musical opportunities in and out of school

The National Plan also outlines five strategic functions for Music Hubs: Partnerships, Schools, Progression and musical development, Inclusion, and Sustainability.

As the new Hub Lead Organisation for the Hertfordshire region, Hertfordshire Music Service will receive £2,222,372 from the Department for Education. Hertfordshire Music Service will receive £1,672,854 to coordinate music education in the local area, plus £549,518 to invest in new musical instruments, equipment and technology tailored to the needs of children and young people in Hertfordshire, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Hertfordshire Music Service’s appointment is part of a major investment in a new generation of the nationwide network of Music Hubs. This investment will help to deliver the Government’s National Plan for Music Education, and give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their musical interests as far as they wish, including helping them to begin careers in the music industry.

National Music Hubs

The new Music Hubs form an ambitious national programme providing high-quality music education for all children and young people through investment in musical activities, equipment and teacher training.

Creative music nurture group

Building on the extensive work existing Music Education Hubs have undertaken since 2011, the new Hubs will be led by 43 Hub Lead Organisations from September 2024.

Arts Council England

View a map of the new music hubs

Download a list of Hub Lead organisations

Download a spreadsheet of the new Music Hub areas and funding allocations

Hertfordshire Music Service will continue to deliver high quality music education accessible to all children and young people in Hertfordshire through diverse partnerships between educational, creative and community organisations, in their local communities and throughout the country.

Quotes from some of our partner organisations

Lisa Quinlan-Rahman

(Chief Executive Officer of Hertfordshire Music Service)

“We are extremely proud to be the lead partner for the Hertfordshire Music Education Hub. This enables us to deliver our vision of ensuring that all of Hertfordshire’s children and young people, regardless of background or circumstances, have the opportunity to discover or develop their unique musical voice and express themselves through the language of music.

Through our continued work with partners and the development of new partnerships, we aim to provide engaging life-long music education, committed to delivering high-quality music education and create positive outcomes for generations to come.

This reflects the dedication of the Hertfordshire Music Service in fostering musical growth and inclusivity within the community.”

Caroline Clapper

(HCC Executive Member, Education, Libraries & Lifelong Learning)

“As the Executive Member, Education, Libraries & Lifelong Learning, I am absolutely thrilled that the Hertfordshire Music Service has been awarded the prestigious role of lead organisation for the Hertfordshire Music Education Hub.

This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing musical ability, fostering creativity, and providing equitable access to music education for young residents across Hertfordshire.

With this responsibility, we look forward to attaining the aspirations of, delivering a joyous musical journey to, and orchestrating a musical future for everyone in Hertfordshire.

This momentous occasion is a testament to the dedication and passion of the entire team at Hertfordshire Music Service. Let the music play on!”

Michael Taylor

(Chair of Forum – Hertfordshire Music Service)

“As the Chair of the Hertfordshire Music Education Hub Forum, I am delighted to hear that Hertfordshire Music Service has been appointed to continue its leadership of the Hertfordshire Music Education Hub. This achievement is a tribute to the devotion, expertise, and collaborative spirit of our music educators, practitioners, and partners.

Our vision is clear: To ensure that all of Hertfordshire’s children and young people, regardless of background or circumstances, have the opportunity to discover or develop their unique musical voice and express themselves through the language of music. As a hub we pledge to amplify access to music education, nurture diverse voices, and compose pathways for lasting musical exploration.

Together, we will develop more musical opportunities, inspire future musicians, and deliver a life-long passion for music and musical experiences.

This important milestone in the development of music in Hertfordshire is a high in our musical journey, and we look forward to continuing to deliver our vision and creating new partnerships that benefit the young people and families across Hertfordshire.”

Darren Henley

(Chief Executive of Arts Council England)

"Music education is enormously powerful – it can enrich young people's lives, help them connect with the people around them, and start them on the pathway to fruitful and fulfilling careers. 

We are excited to announce this investment in a new generation of Music Hubs, which will support the brilliant work of our dedicated music teachers across the country, and help bring high-quality music education to even more children and young people in every part of England."

Hazel Edwards

(South East Area Director, Arts Council England)

“We are so pleased to bring forward a new generation of Music Hubs in the South East, ensuring all children and young people can learn and make music.

They will do so thanks to the investment committed by the Department for Education, including an additional fund to invest in musical instruments, equipment and technology so that children and young people’s creativity can flourish. We are thrilled to help nurture the musical interests of all children and young people in the South East, no matter who they are, or where they live.”

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