Music Hub for young people enters into new partnership

The North East Lincolnshire Music Education Hub is to enter into a new partnership arrangement with the Music Education Hub in Hull.

Established in 2012, the North East Lincolnshire-based Hub has been successful in attracting Arts Council England grants of over two hundred thousand pounds each year to our area to help thousands of children to access music tuition.

The new partnership with the Music Education Hub in Hull is expected to make more opportunities available to both areas, sharing expertise and resources. Funding will still be ring-fenced for use in our area, with Hull becoming Lead Partner for North East Lincolnshire Music Education Hub as well as for Hull.

The Hub works with schools and in the community, allowing lots of young people to benefit from learning music. Learning to play and sing is shown to improve outcomes in all areas of education. Taking part in music making is also a great way to make new friends and to learn about the different cultures of the world.

Arts Council England’s Director for Music Education, Hannah Fouracre said:

“All children should be able to sing, learn an instrument, play together and make musical progress. This is why the Arts Council believes that it is so important that children and young people and schools across England are supported by an excellent Music Education Hub. I’m delighted that Hull Music Service is going to lead the Music Education Hub in North East Lincolnshire and look forward to seeing how their work develops.”

Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“We have a fantastic music service in North East Lincolnshire and I’m really pleased that we’ll now be working cooperatively with Hull City Council to enhance this.

“Creative opportunities are vital in bringing out the best in our children, developing their skills and raising their aspirations.

“Hull City Council have a great reputation from their work in the arts and cultural sector following the city’s time as UK City of Culture, so I’m excited to see what our new partners will bring to the mix.”

James Dickinson, Head of Hull Music Service said:

“We will now also look to build on what has already been achieved in North East Lincolnshire, strengthening the identity and resilience of the N E Lincs Music Education Hub by nurturing partnerships and networks. This work, led by a new leadership post to be based in North East Lincolnshire, will also be looking for opportunities to collaborate across the wider region.”

Stephen Wild, Strategic Lead for Music in North East Lincolnshire,added:

“This is very good news for the children and young people of North East Lincolnshire. This will help us to build a secure foundation to build long lasting success in music education.”

Schools, cultural and arts organisations and other key partners will have a voice in steering the Hub as it goes forward. The new partnership is expected to make even more music possible for new generations of children in the area.