FROM September 2024, budding musicians across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull will benefit from access to a new regional music hub.
Arts Council England has chosen the areas to lead a new regional music hub, as part of an ambitious national programme to provide high-quality music education for all children and young people.
Heart of England Music will be jointly owned by Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Coun Dr Kindy Sandhu, cabinet member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council, said: “Music plays a vital role in enriching the lives of young people, and we are delighted that we have over 6,500 children and young people who currently use Coventry Music to enjoy music and develop their skills.
“We are confident that the collaboration with Warwickshire and Solihull will be a positive step forward for music education in the region. We look forward to working with our partners to develop a vibrant and thriving regional music hub that will inspire and nurture the musical talents of future generations.”
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, including helping them to begin careers in the music industry.
Warwickshire County Councillor Kam Kaur, portfolio holder for Education, added: “We are so pleased to be working with our regional partners to establish Heart of England Music and we are looking forward to the wider opportunities this will provide to help more young people access and enjoy music education.”
As the new Hub Lead organisation, the partnership will receive £1.6million from the Department for Education.
This will ensure music education continues in each local area, and provide new investment in musical instruments, equipment and technology tailored to the needs of children and young people in the region, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Coun Michael Gough, Solihull Council cabinet member for children and education said “It’s great that we’ve been able to get this project underway and I look forward to seeing it get over the line later this year.
“This new regional collaboration will enable us to keep delivering high-quality music education for the children of Solihull and to keep growing that offer even further. I’m grateful to the Department of Education for the funding they’ve put up to make this happen, and to everyone from the three councils who has been involved in making it a reality.
“I look forward to attending performances by Heart of England Music students in the not-too-distant future.”
