Music Information Sources
A very useful source of information is the Music Education Yearbook (Rhinegold Publishing; 2004 edition), which should be available at your local library along with the British Music Yearbook. Amongst other things, it includes lists of institutions of all kinds that offer music education and music making opportunities, details of regional and national organisations, festivals and competitions for young musicians, and suppliers of music materials.
For information about local groups, organisations and events, visit your local library and look in the local press. There are many magazines available from newsagents that are devoted to different areas of music; some of them regularly include articles on music education and listings of events and courses. These include BBC Music Magazine and Classic FM Magazine (both monthly). Music Teacher (published monthly by Rhinegold Publishing) carries a detailed list of summer school courses in the February issue each year.
Music Industry Organisations
Listed below are some of the many organisations that offer opportunities for music making, or can provide information and advice. We've given web links where possible, though we should point out that these sites are not endorsed by the BBC, and we are not responsible for their content. Corrections or additions to this list can be emailed to us at the address above.
Extracts and addresses are taken from the booklet 'A BBC Guide to Music Making' by Leonora Davies. (Published by BBC Educational Developments, 1996). Some of the information has been updated by the BBC Young Musician admin team.
Listed below are some of the many organisations that offer opportunities for music making, or can provide information and advice. We've given web links where possible, though we should point out that these sites are not endorsed by the BBC, and we are not responsible for their content. Corrections or additions to this list can be emailed to us at the address above.
The Arts Council receives a government grant and its mandate is to develop arts activities. Its Music Department has officers appointed to specific tasks in connection with opera and music theatre, music education, amateur and youth music, jazz and non-western music. Contact the Jazz Officer for information about the regional jazz organisations which have been set up to sponsor, coordinate and encourage jazz activities.
 Arts Council of WalesNorth Wales office: 36 Prince’s Drive, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8LA Tel: 01492 533440 Fax: 01492 533677 Email: information@artswales.org.uk
South Wales Office
9 Museum Place,
Cardiff,
CF10 3NX
Tel: 029 2037 6500
Email: information@ccc-acw.org.uk
Isle of Man Arts Council10 Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2HN Tel: 01624 611316 Fax: 01624 615423 Email: dawn.maddrell@iomartscouncil.dtl.gov.im
Scottish Arts Council12 Manor Place
Edinburgh EH3 7DD
Tel: 0131 226 6051 Fax: 0131 225 9833
Email: help.desk@scottisharts.org.uk
BBC PhilharmonicA broadcasting symphony orchestra based in Manchester, whose chief conductor is Gianandrea Noseda.
BBC Radio 3The BBC's classical music radio service, consisting mainly of serious music programming, much of it live, including relays of all of the BBC Proms.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
A broadcasting symphony orchestra based at Maida Vale Studios in London. Chief Conductor is Leonard Slatkin.
Bhavan Centre
The Institute of Indian Art and Culture - the largest centre for Indian culture outside India. Classes are available for different age groups - 8-12 years, 13-19 and adults. All the major musical traditions of India are represented.
4A Castletown Road
London W14 9HQ
Tel: 0207 381 3086
Email: info@bhavan.net
Benslow Music Trust
A residential centre offering over 100 music courses a year for chamber and orchestral groups of various standards, solo singing and instruments, etc.
Little Benslow Hills
off Benslow Lane
Hitchin
Herts SG4 9RB
Tel: 01462 459446
Email: info@benslow.org
Bude Jazz Summer School
An intensive but fun week of courses for young musicians who are reasonably proficient, for various levels of jazz experience including beginners.
South West Jazz
c/o Exeter and Devon Arts Centre
Gandy Street
Exeter EX4 3LS
Tel: 01392 218368
Centre for Information for Gamelan
Produces a quarterly newsletter about gamelan activities.
Contact : Sheila Crude
Tel: 0208 340 1928
Centre for Information for Gamelan
Produces a quarterly newsletter about gamelan activities.
Contact : Sheila Crude
Tel: 0208 340 1928
Children's Music Workshop
Run by Ann Blaber and Jane Pountney, this links professional musicians with large numbers of primary schools, offering long-term residencies to promote and support the work of teachers and children.
Tel: 0207 607 6454
English Folk Dance and Song Society
Runs monthly workshops (7-12 years) in dance, music, song and storytelling. Has an education and library information service.
Cecil Sharp House
2 Regent's Park Road
London NW1 7AY
Tel: 0207 485 2206
Email: info@efdss.org
Ernest Read Music Association
Runs a summer school offering orchestral courses (Grades 6-8).
9 Cotsford Avenue
New Malden
Surrey KT3 5EU
Tel: 0208 942 0318
Folk for Youth
Organises occasional residential folk weekends for young people aged 16-25.
5 Lyneham Close
Hinckley
Leics L310 0XY
Tel: 01455 613889
Folkworks
Folkworks Youth Summer School for players and singers aged 12 - 25 - and they also organise the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in association with Smooth Operations.
The Sage Gateshead
PO Box 254
Gateshead NE8 2YR
Tel: 0191 443 4666
Email: folkworks@thesagegateshead.org
Guildhall Summer School
Offers a range of courses for beginners and more advanced students in jazz, gospel singing and music technology.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Barbican
London EC2Y 8DT
Incorporated Society of Musicians
Can provide lists of private teachers and information on careers in music.
10 Stratford Place
London W1C 1AA
Tel: 0207 629 4413
Email: membership@ism.org
Jazz Services Ltd
Promotes the development of jazz in the UK by providing various services, including education.
First Floor
132 Southwark Street
London SE1 0SW
Tel: 020 7928 9089 Fax: 020 7401 6870
Lake District Summer International Summer School
An international summer school and festival in the Lake District with classes and coaching, and non-residential children's workshops.
Stricklandgate House
92 Stricklandgate
Kendal
Cumbria LA9 4PU
Tel: 0845 644 2505
Fax: 0845 644 2506
Email: info@ldsm.org.uk
Music Box
A children's opera group operating in Bristol.
Tel: 0117 974 4666
Music Information Centres
Described as resource centres for contemporary classical British music, these bodies have been set up primarily to 'increase public awareness of music and to disseminate information'.
British Music Information Centre
10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1BA
Tel: 020 7499 8567 Fax: 020 7499 4795
Email: info@bmic.co.uk
Irish Contemporary Music Centre
19 Fishamble St, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
Tel: 00 353 1 673 1922 Fax: 00 353 1 648 9100
Email: info@cmc.ie
Scottish Music Information Centre
1 Bowmont Gardens, Glasgow G12 9LR
Tel: 0141 334 6393 Fax: 0141 337 1161
Email: info@smic.org.uk
Welsh Music Information Centre
Ty Cerdd, 15 Mount Square, Cardiff, CF10 5DP
Tel: 029 2046 2855/5700 Fax: 029 2046 2733
Email: wmic@tycerdd.org
National Children's Music Camps
Holds annual music camps in the summer holidays for teenage and junior age groups.
61 Crown Road
Sutton
Surrey SM1 1RT
Tel: 0208 715 4048
National Children's Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Homecroft, St. George's School
Sun Lane
Harpenden, AL5 4EY
Tel: 01582 767343
Email: info@musicale.co.uk
National Festival of Music for Youth
4 Blade Mews
Deodar Road
London SW15 2NN
Tel: 0208 870 9624
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
2 The Coppice
Impington
Cambridge, CB4 9PP
Tel: 01223 234090
Email: nybbgb@bandstand.demon.co.uk
OrchestraNet
This site is a guide to the orchestral scene in the UK. It gives history, contacts, details, and some concert diaries for many UK orchestras.
Oriental Arts
Organisation based in Bradford, offering a wide range of music and dance opportunities for children of all ages .
Tel: 01274 370190
Pro Corda Trust (National School for Young Chamber Music Players)
Runs courses during school holidays for string players (8-18 years) with a range of abilities and experiences. Entry by audition.
Leiston Abbey House
Theberton Road
Leiston
Suffolk IP16 4TB
Tel: 01728 831354
Email: mail@procorda.fsbusiness.co.uk
Sing for Pleasure
Organises a wide variety of day and residential courses for young singers.
Unit 10a
Nortonthorpe Mills
Wakefield Road
Scissett
Huddersfield HD8 9LA
Tel: 01484 860404
Sonic Arts Network
National association of music professionals and teachers interested in creative uses of technology in music. Initiates education projects to bring together composers, pupils and teachers, with particular emphasis on ways of integrating new technology with other classroom resources across all styles of music.
The Jerwood Space
171 Union Street
London SE1 0LN
Tel: 020 7928 7337
Email: phil@sonicartsnetwork.org
South Bank Education Department
The Music Education Department runs a varied education programme of activities for all ages to complement concert themes. Detailed information available in their quarterly brochure.
Royal Festival Hall
South Bank Centre
London SE1 8XX
Tel: 0207 921 0846/0908
Email: education@rfh.org.uk
WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance)
Aims to bring the music and dance of many cultures, both traditional and modern before the widest possible audience. Presents annual festivals and produces records and educational resources to further the enjoyment and understanding of different cultures.
Top Floor
85 Park Street
Bristol BS1 5JN
YoungChoirs.Net
(formerly British Federation of Young Choirs)
Arranges singing events and training for young people on a regional and national basis.
PO Box 7877
Loughborough
Leics LE11 2WW
Tel/Fax: 01509 211664
Email: admin@youngchoirs.net
Youth Music
A funding, information and advice body providing music-making opportunities for under 18s, particularly focusing on those children and young people who would otherwise not have the chance to take part in practical music-making activities.
1 America St
London SE1 0NE
Tel: 020 7902 1061
Email: info@youthmusic.org.uk
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