AN organisation has pledged to ensure that every child in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will receive access to music education after being awarded £922,247 funding.

ASONE Hub has been confirmed as the successful Hub Lead Organisation for music education in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly into 2025 following a competitive tendering process led by the Arts Council England.

The music organisation was deemed to be the most suitable to deliver the ambition and aims for music hubs as outlined in the National Plan for Music Education.

This news comes as ASONE releases impact figures from 2023, during which its work with partners directly impacted over 20,000 individuals across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Building on their continued success the newly restructured ASONE Hub team is now looking at improving best practice and making further strides in music education for both children and adults into 2025.

ASONE Hub successfully won the bid to deliver a music programme into schools across Cornwall and has already introduced a diverse programme.

The offer includes workshops, youth voice, supporting ensembles and choirs, and the much-celebrated Songfest, which brought together over 100 schools from across the county reaching from Penzance to Bude.

The focus has been on practical, ground-level music education delivery, leveraging the strengths of the county wide consortium of deliverers.

The partnerships have also spurred innovation in merging traditional and contemporary musical forms. Initiatives with Ephraim Masudi and the Lowender Festival, as well as collaborations for Songfest, Cornwall Music Festival, exemplify the creative synergy achieved.

These projects have not only preserved cultural heritage but opened new avenues for budding, young musicians.

ASONE Perform managing director Cindy Dalgleish said: “We are truly delighted to be the successful Hub Lead Organisation into 2025. We intend to maximise this opportunity to grow, driving our ambitions that are underpinned by industry standard management practices to ensure every young person in Cornwall has access to opportunity, can learn a musical instrument, and succeed, in the sector.

“We would also like to thank all our ASONE Hub partner organisations and independent teachers who work so consistently to make a difference in young peoples’ lives.

“When we reflect on the past year, we realise just how much we have achieved together, not just in numbers, but in a major extension of all types of music access for young people across Cornwall. We are looking forward with aims to extend our reach into the local communities.

“Our short-term ambitions are now set on seeking inward investment to amplify our collaborative work.”

Darren Henley, the chief executive at Arts Council England, said: "Music education is enormously powerful – it can enrich young people's lives, help them connect with the people around them, and start them on the pathway to fruitful and fulfilling careers.

“We are excited to announce this investment in a new generation of Music Hubs, which will support the brilliant work of our dedicated music teachers across the country, and help bring high-quality music education to even more children and young people in every part of England.” 

Phil Gibby, South West area director, Arts Council England, added: “We are thrilled to award £12.5-million from the Department for Education to seven Music Hubs across the South West. Each Hub Lead Organisation will link thousands of children and young people with high-quality music education - because everyone everywhere should be able to pick up an instrument and express themselves.

“This support package includes more than £3-million to purchase the latest industry technology and equipment - sure to remove barriers for aspiring creatives so their ideas can reach new heights. Thanks to public funding and the dedication of talented folks across the sector, a new generation is set to sing, compose, and play their way to a fairer future."

Andy Dockerty founder and director of Adlib Ltd, the UK’s largest independent live production company, said: “I think ASONE Hub being appointed as lead organisation for music education in Cornwall is fantastic news. It is one of the very few organisations that has industry recognised partners such as Nub Sound, guaranteeing young people practical experiences required by the industry. I believe this to be a model many other areas in the UK should be adopting.”