Royal Albert Hall appointed as strategic partner for music education

Arts Council announces National Plan for music education

The iconic UK venue and charity, Royal Albert Hall, has been appointed by the Arts Council to develop music education strategy for Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham schools. The appointment will see the venue partner with the Royal College of Music and the Aurora Orchestra and the Tri-boroughs in shaping the way music is taught in over 150 schools.

The Royal Albert Hall is to be a strategic leader in the west London partnership ensuring that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to sing and learn a musical instrument, develop their skills, and to play with other children as part of an ensemble or choir.

Lucy Noble, Head of Education and Programming at the Hall commented: “We’re extremely honoured to be appointed in this role, and we see it as a great responsibility. Music is obviously an area that everyone at the Royal Albert Hall is extremely passionate about, and we look forward to instilling some of that passion in the education programmes we develop with our partners.”

The appointment is further endorsement of the Hall’s ongoing commitment to provide innovative and inclusive music education programmes for all.  The Royal Albert Hall is already a major sponsor of Music for Youth throughout the country and continues to grow its commitment to engaging with partners to champion youth music and support young people who might otherwise have little opportunity to experience live performance.

Over £171 million of funding will be invested in 122 hubs across the UK, with each being responsible for their local area. The appointments come after an announcement in January from Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, stating that councils will no longer shoulder sole responsibility for the development of education programmes in music.

The new hubs will see a significant shift in the way music education has been delivered to date, both in and out of school. Organisations including schools, professional music organisations, higher and further education institutions and other Arts Council funded organisations working in a local area will be coming together to create integrated music education provision for children and young people. It is unprecedented for a venue to be involved in strategically planning music education in schools and it’s a very exciting and dynamic prospect for the Hall to provide influence in the future of music in the United Kingdom.