Bristol Beacon chosen to lead West of England Music Hub
The team will be working in partnership with West of England Music and Arts as part of the Government’s new National Plan for Music Education
The West Country's newly-reopened music venue - the Bristol Beacon - has been chosen to lead a regional music education hub for young people by Arts Council England.
The team has been appointed to lead the West of England Music Hub, and will be working in partnership with West of England Music and Arts (WEMA), as part of the Government’s new National Plan for Music Education.
The Beacon is one of the first music charities based in a concert hall to be a Music Hub Lead organisation - with the hub set to launch later this year, in September 2024.
It means the Beacon will be able to connect its artistic programme to children and young people across the whole of the West of England region (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, and North Somerset), enabling them to get involved with the music industry directly through encounters with professional musicians and performances.
With this announcement, the Beacon is to receive nearly £2 million (£1,933,874) from the Department for Education - with the cash going to to coordinate music education in the local area as well as into new musical instruments, equipment and technology.
One of the Beacon's key roles will be ensuring that young people with special educational needs and disabilities have access and opportunities when it comes to musical education.
This investment is said to help to deliver the Government’s National Plan for Music Education, devised to give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their musical interests.
'Access to music can create a lifelong love of music'
Adam Kent, director of creative learning and engagement at Bristol Beacon, said: “Through the current music hub arrangements, we are already delivering our citywide music education programme in around 92% of Bristol’s schools, benefitting over 30,000 children and young people.
“Access to music can create a lifelong love of music, create joy and aspiration, and of course it feeds the UK’s future talent pipeline. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to engage in musical experiences – from learning instruments to participating in and watching live performances – and we have a strong focus on reaching everyone, with dedicated programmes to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities and those that are in or have experience of the care system.”
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been chosen to lead the new West of England Hub and look forward to working in partnership with West of England Music and Arts and reaching even more young people through our programme. This important work could not happen without this vital public funding for which we are extremely grateful.”
'The team works tirelessly to reach young people from all backgrounds'
Sandra Meadows MBE, vice chair of Bristol Beacon’s board of trustees, said: “Being appointed as one of the new regional Music Education Hubs is a real honour and recognition of the fantastic work Bristol Beacon’s music education team has been delivering over the last few years. The team works tirelessly to reach young people from all backgrounds and abilities across the city and now has an amazing new cultural base in the transformed education spaces in the venue that will open up music and create incredible opportunities for even more young people.”
'We will be able to build even bigger musical communities'
Simon Lock chief executive: West of England Music and Arts, said: ““West of England Music and Arts is delighted to be working alongside Bristol Beacon to deliver the next phase of the Government’s Music Education strategy as the region’s Music Hub. We look forward to continuing to deliver our mission to ensure everyone, especially the most vulnerable and those who face barriers, can thrive through the power of music.”
“Through the new Music Hub partnership, we will be able to build even bigger musical communities for those who love music for its wellbeing, social and emotional impact to those who strive for a career in the music industry. This new partnership between West of England Music and Arts and Bristol Beacon represents an even brighter future for young people’s music across the West of England.”
'Music education is enormously powerful'
Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: "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."
16-year-old violin player with Bristol Youth Orchestra: “The Beacon ensembles have really opened all my doors, as they gave me my first experience with the orchestral repertoire and ensemble playing that I have now completely fallen in love with and immersed myself in since.”
“The proficiency it has given me in sight reading and musical competency at an early age has opened doors to the Bristol Pre-conservatoire and National Children’s Orchestra. The generosity of Beacon tutors has allowed me to learn and experience orchestral conducting and had it not been for Bristol Youth Orchestra, I may never have had the chance to explore at such an early stage in my musical journey.”
The news comes after the completion of the once-in-a-generation transformation of the Beacon’s building - which you can read more about here.