Connect

Sheffield Music Hub is proud to be one of 10 Music Hubs nationwide delivering the Connect programme in partnership with Young Sounds UK. 

Connect helps musicians from the earliest stage in their musical journey. The programme is specifically designed to help young people from low-income families sustain their musical learning after initial state-funded whole-class lessons end, so they can keep on progressing and playing music well into their teens and beyond.

Everyone selected for the programme receives weekly instrumental tuition, access to instrument hire and membership to our weekly music groups as well as wider help for their musical progression in the form of an Individual Learning Plan. Students are also invited to a range of termly musical experiences called ‘Get Togethers’, which aim to introduce pupils to a wide range of musical styles and receive a personal bursary to support their ongoing progression. This holistic support means the programme has a very high continuation rate.

In addition to the Connect programme, Young Sounds UK have established a network of experts across the music education sector in England. The experts are called ‘Connectors’ and their role is to connect young people and families with musical experiences in their local area. They exist to find appropriate opportunities and share valuable information on how best to support young people’s musical development. 

If you know of a young person under 18 who is interested in finding out about musical opportunities such as funding, next steps, groups to join or general music making in South Yorkshire and beyond, please fill out this form. Rachel Greene will get back to you as soon as possible.

In Sheffield the Connect programme, and connector role is managed by Rachel Greene, please find a video of her explaining her role here. Mentoring support for Connect pupils is provided by Catherine Bennett, one of our music tutors.