Hertfordshire selected as Music Hub...

(16th May 2012)

Hertfordshire County Council’s Music Service has been chosen as one of Arts Council England’s new Music Hubs.

The national network of hubs will ensure that every child aged between 5 and 18 has the opportunity to sing, learn an instrument and take part in an ensemble performance.

Hubs will work with local authorities, schools, music organisations and teachers and the wider community to provide quality local music education - while delivering better value for money and greater accountability.

As lead partner in the Music Hub, Hertfordshire Music Service secures funding of just over £3.5 million pounds for the county over the next 3 years, which replaces the current Music Education Grant.

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Getting involved in the arts can really enrich a young person’s life and help bring out their potential. “I’m delighted that the Arts Council has selected Hertfordshire as an authority that will deliver exceptional music education through the new Music Hub.

“The Music Service, its teachers, schools and partners should be justifiably proud that all the work undertaken across the county to deliver and support music education has been recognised in this way.”

James Dickinson, Head of Hertfordshire Music Service, said: “This is a very significant development and gives us three years to build, develop and transform the way we deliver music to our schools and communities.

“The Arts Council praised the quality of Hertfordshire’s application, and thanks must go to all out partners, including our schools that made our application a successful one.”

Hertfordshire will form one of 122 music education hubs nationwide, which will replace the existing music services model. The hubs will be collections of organisations working together in a local area to offer high quality music education provision for children and young people, in and out of school.

For more information visit www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/

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