Bristol Beacon chosen to lead regional Music Education Hub for young people

Bristol Beacon is becoming a part of a new generation of Music Education Hubs, supporting young musicians across the South West.

We have been appointed by Arts Council England to lead the West of England Music Hub in partnership with West of England Music and Arts (WEMA), as part of the Government’s new National Plan for Music Education. Starting in September 2024, we will become one of the first music charities based in a concert hall to be a Music Hub Lead organisation.

Bristol Beacon has been the Music Education Hub for Bristol since 2011. As the new Hub for the West of England, we will work closely in partnership with WEMA, who are responsible for the current music education provision in the areas surrounding Bristol. WEMA will continue to deliver music education services to these three areas under the new hub arrangement.

Investing in the future of young musicians

As the new Hub Lead Organisation for the West of England region, Bristol Beacon will receive funding from the Department for Education to coordinate music education in the local area and invest in new musical instruments, equipment and technology tailored to the needs of children and young people in the West of England.

Key to the Beacon’s role as one of the new hubs will be ensuring that more young people in the West of England with special educational needs and disabilities have access to an excellent music education and have the opportunity to progress.

The appointment will allow us to connect our artistic programme to children and young people across the whole of the West of England region including:

• Bristol
• South Gloucestershire
• Bath & North East Somerset
• North Somerset

This will enable them to get involved with the music industry directly through encounters with professional musicians and performances.

The next generation of Music Education Hubs

By investing in music education partnerships, we are able to support, deliver and enable access to music education for children and young people within our local area. As a Hub Lead Organisation we look to work alongside schools, local authorities, community groups, music organisations, industry and more.

As part of the next generation of Music Education Hubs, we are excited to make an impact on the lives of young people, and together with all our partners, make inclusive, high quality musical experiences accessible for everyone.

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.”

Simon Lock, Chief Executive, West of England Music and Arts