Young Sounds UK

Young Sounds UK Musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We're here to change this!

We support young musicians from low income families with funding and other help. We also support music education through training, advocacy and research. This combination creates real impact. For over 25 years, we’ve supported talented young people from low income families, helping them to overcome financial and social barriers. Whatever the genre, whatever the style, our strategically targeted programmes help young musicians from across the UK to grow, flourish and fulfil their musical potential. We provide both direct, sustained support - beyond funding - for individual young musicians, as well as targeted interventions to improve the broader music education environment.

28/09/2026

Thank you London Piano Festival and Young Sounds Patron Kathryn Stott for this incredible opportunity!

We've had the privilege of participating in several masterclasses with Kathy this year and they're always a treat. Would highly recommend attending on the 1st of November. ☺

For more info on the masterclass and the London Piano Festival see the post/page below. 👇

As Arts Council England celebrates its 80th anniversary of this year, we asked some of our Young Sounds colleagues to ...
25/09/2026

As Arts Council England celebrates its 80th anniversary of this year, we asked some of our Young Sounds colleagues to reflect on their own experiences of working to make a difference in the arts and culture sector.

Read the full interviews with Hester, Neil, Katie and Beth (and find out who's got a children's book in the works!) at www.youngsounds.org.uk/making-magic

Congrats to James Penney for running the Torbay Half Marathon for Young Sounds UK!James’ dad has spent virtually his ent...
24/09/2026

Congrats to James Penney for running the Torbay Half Marathon for Young Sounds UK!

James’ dad has spent virtually his entire life in music as a keyboard player and musical director, so when James decided to run the Torbay Half Marathon & 10k in his honour, his dad chose Young Sounds UK as the fundraiser.

Through the support of his community, James far surpassed his original £500 goal and raised £1500 for young musicians.

We’re so grateful for James and his dad’s support - well done on your amazing achievement!

If you’d like to support young musicians from low-income backgrounds at your next fundraising event, find out more on our website at youngsounds.org.uk/fundraising

23/09/2026

Learn how to spot the musical spark in your students!

Our facilitators Hugh and Beth visited PGCE students at Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver our Discover teacher training.

This free training is provided by Young Sounds UK with support from Arts Council England, and aims to make music education fairer by training teachers on how to identify signs of musical talent and potential in the classroom 🎶

Bookings for 2027 are well underway, so enquire now for your school or university: youngsounds.org.uk/discover

14/09/2026

Join National Youth Choir this autumn!

If you love singing with others, National Youth Choir is for you. Each autumn, they look for new singers aged 9-18 to join their fantastic choirs.

To join the choir, sign up for a free online audition before 10am on Wednesday 30 September: https://www.nationalyouthchoir.org.uk/how-do-i-join-national-youth-choir

Did you know Young Sounds was founded by legacy?Bob Lewin was one of the most eminent British collectors of stringed ins...
12/09/2026

Did you know Young Sounds was founded by legacy?

Bob Lewin was one of the most eminent British collectors of stringed instruments, bows and books.

After his passing in 1998, Bob's nephew Michael Lewin used the sale proceeds from his collection to form The Musicas Fund. The fund helped young people from low-income backgrounds to develop their musical talent.

That charity became Young Sounds UK, and Bob's legacy lives on through the young musicians we continue to support today.

Michael Lewin, our Founding Trustee, says: "I’d like to think that Bob himself would be amazed at what we have achieved, as a direct result of his bequest."

Find out more about how Bob passed on his love of music: www.youngsounds.org.uk/the-legacy-that-started-it-all-michael-lewin-remembers-his-uncle-bob/

Remember A Charity

10/09/2026

Will you let your legacy live on in the next generation of musicians?

Malcolm Touchin talked to budding conductors on our Thrive programme about his brother Colin, a highly talented and widely respected musician who made his name through conducting, composing and teaching.

When Colin sadly died in 2022, Malcolm decided to create The Colin Touchin Music Leadership Award. That award would go on to fund a Thrive Conducting Day in London, and inspire young musicians to develop their leadership potential in music!

Whether it’s a generous one-off donation or leaving a legacy in your Will, you can associate your name with giving wonderful music to the world. Find out more at youngsounds.org.uk/legacies

Remember A Charity

We're delighted to announce our new mentoring and financial support project, Prelude, with support from Purposeful Ventu...
10/09/2026

We're delighted to announce our new mentoring and financial support project, Prelude, with support from Purposeful Ventures.

Prelude will help musicians on our Thrive programme through the preparation, application and audition process to Music Conservatoire.

This tailored support will ensure their journey to further education is enhanced, informed, and fulfilling.

Find out more about the project at youngsounds.org.uk/introducing-prelude

Happy Birthday to our newest Patron, Jasdeep Singh Degun! 🎂Jasdeep is a British multi-award-winning sitar player and com...
09/09/2026

Happy Birthday to our newest Patron, Jasdeep Singh Degun! 🎂

Jasdeep is a British multi-award-winning sitar player and composer from Leeds who joined us as a Patron earlier this year. He first worked with Young Sounds in 2024 when he led a workshop for Thrive musicians on Indian classical approaches to improvising and creative music making 🎶

Have a brilliant day!

This summer we were delighted to share our findings from EQUALIZE (delivered in partnership with The Black Music Researc...
08/09/2026

This summer we were delighted to share our findings from EQUALIZE (delivered in partnership with The Black Music Research Unit /University of Westminster) at the AHRC Hub for Public Engagement with Music Research Showcase ✨

EQUALIZE is designed to revitalise music education by aligning it more closely with young people’s musical identities and creative practices, and it was a pleasure to share the outcomes of the project.

Thank you to the AHRC Hub and University of Southampton for their support!

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