Page 25

MUSIC EDUCATION

Music for Youth

The NUT is a major sponsor of Music for Youth. As the charity approaches its 40th birthday, chief executive Lincoln Abbotts looks at its work and aspirations.

Thousands of young musicians have just had the incredible experience of performing in the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, London. On 9, 10 and 11 November, Music for Youth's Schools Prom concerts showcased the most eclectic mix of musical styles performed by young people under one roof.

At the age of 13 I had my first experience with Music for Youth (MFY) as a flautist with the Staffordshire Youth Wind Band. The opportunity to perform in a major venue was a significant early influence. I can still remember the thrill of it.

The concerts mark the end of our 2009 season but we have already received thousands of applications for our 2010 regional festivals. These are the start of our season and have the greatest reach of all of our activities, currently involving around 45,000 young musicians.

MFY’s main focus for 2010 is encouraging new music groups to enter our regional festivals. Seventy festivals will be held between February and April. They are free to enter and a great opportunity to perform, listen to other young musicians from your local area and get inspirational feedback from the MFY music mentors.

The festivals are open to groups of any standard – you can pitch up with your classroom project put together a month ago, or you can be a hugely polished choir or band. All are equally valued and it’s a great learning experience. We’re keen to get more young people to take part, so if you know a group (or groups!), tell them about Music for Youth and get them to enter online at www.mfy.org.uk – the closing date is 7 December 2009.

MFY also organises a national festival and primary proms. The primary proms are free concerts for young people, performed by young people. It’s incredibly exciting for young kids to see musicians their own age performing on stage. It creates a heady mix of aspiration and inspiration that we hope sparks their enthusiasm to get involved. We currently organise eight primary proms and will be expanding the number during 2010.

The NUT is a major MFY sponsor, and our young musicians provide entertainment at the union’s annual conference and other events. “Encouraging and providing opportunities for young people to play and perform the widest range of styles of music is what Music for Youth is all about,” explains John Dixon, NUT assistant secretary for organising and membership and a member of the MFY board. “The NUT is delighted to be a sponsor, giving young people new experiences and opportunities, developing their talents and aspirations.”

If family members know how exciting it is to be involved in music they are much more likely to be supportive, so we’re organising our first family event in February next year in Birmingham. If you’re interested in finding out more email tim@mfy.org.uk.

Next year is MFY’s 40th birthday. So far, over 2 million young people have taken part, with artists such as Evelyn Glennie, Michael Collins, Jason Yarde and Nigel Kennedy performing. We’re keen to hear from others who have taken part over the past 40 years to understand the influence MFY has had. If you have participated, please get in touch. As part of our celebrations we plan to make our own supergroup of past MFYers, so contact us at alumni@mfy.org.uk.