Music Education Hub

SoundStorm is the lead partner of the Bournemouth and Poole Music Education Hub.

The Music Education Hub officially began activities on 1st September 2012.

Music Education Hubs are central to the UK Government’s National Music Education Plan which came about following a thorough and enlightened report on music education by Darren Henley in 2011. Music Education Hubs are funded and overseen by the Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Education. There are 123 nationwide.

A Music Education Hub is characterised by a partnership between organisations working together to ensure that every child aged 5-18 in their area has the opportunity to sing, to learn a musical instrument, to perform as part of an ensemble or choir and to take their talent further.

Music Education Hubs have four core roles and three extension roles through which they have to plan and delivery activity:

Core roles

  • First Access: Ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument through whole-class ensemble teaching programmes for ideally a year (but for a minimum of a term).
  • Ensembles: Provide opportunities to play in ensembles and to perform from an early stage.
  • Progression Routes: Ensure that clear progression routes are available and affordable to all young people.
  • Singing: Develop a singing strategy to ensure that every pupil sings regularly and that choirs and other vocal ensembles are available in the area.

Extension roles

  • Continuing Professional Development: Offer CPD to school staff, particularly in supporting schools to deliver music in the curriculum.
  • Instruments: Provide an instrument loan service, with discounts or free provision for those on low incomes.
  • Inspirational Experiences: Provide access to large scale and / or high quality music experiences for pupils, working with professional musicians and / or venues.

Within this clear and structured framework, SoundStorm and partners are working together to provide exciting opportunities so that the young people of Bournemouth and Poole can achieve their musical potential.

First Access

Whole class instrumental tuition is often the starting point of a young person’s journey as a musician. SoundStorm works closely with primary schools and partner organisations to ensure that every year 4 pupil has the opportunity to take that first musical step. We prioritise schemes of work that embed creativity alongside technical skills development, whilst...

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Singing

Using our voices is the most natural and enjoyable way to be involved in music making. With the support of our partners, we have a variety of subsidised programmes for schools to enhance and support all kinds of singing. Building singing schools Targeted at KS1 and KS2, these programmes offer expert support to schools to...

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Ensembles

As a Music Education Hub, one of our four core roles is to support the development of both in and out of school Ensembles. SoundStorm supports the vision that ‘children and young people should have the opportunity to take part in vocal and instrumental ensembles’, offered either in school or by bringing students together from...

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Progression

Learning new skills, developing and motivating talent and experiencing new music ideas; progression is the golden thread that ties the Music Education Hub together. Progression needs vary widely, depending on the individual or the school. We work closely with neighbouring hub, Dorset Music Service, to support access to the County groups; we make recommendations within...

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CPD

As the lead partner for the Music Education Hub, we are committed to providing professional development opportunities to support the realisation of the National Plan for Music. Where possible, we take an embedded approach where CPD and teacher support is included within the delivery of projects and programmes including First Access. The programme is delivered...

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Instrument Loans

SoundStorm has an extensive range of instruments available to loan to organisations and schools at highly subsidised rates. A small charge is levied to cover the cost of storage and servicing of instruments. SoundStorm does not generate any profit from this charge. Individual instruments can be hired for pupils with the school acting as guarantor....

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Grants

As a Hub we aim to balance formal with informal routes to learning; schools and academy’s work with us to identify the best possible musical pathways for young musicians. But in increasingly challenging financial circumstances, both school and individuals can face barriers to progressing their ideas and ambitions respectively. Through our school targeted Development Grants,...

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Partners

As the lead partner of the Music Education Hub (MEH) for Bournemouth and Poole, we are committed to nurturing productive partnerships with a variety of music education professionals and organisations, with whom we deliver the Hub Core and Extension roles.  From Arts Council England to National Portfolio Organisation’s (NPO), local independent practitioners to internationally renowned orchestras...

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Share Your Story

We want to hear about how music has made a positive impact on the lives of young people. Has a promising young musician you know grown in self confidence through performance? Or do you know of a student who has struggled in other subjects but then flourished through music? We want to hear about these positive...

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