Sound Connections

Our Fund C programme is divided into three strands:

1. Children and young people –youth voice and participation, and progression for people age 16-25

Our work with children and young people is built around the principles of youth voice and participation. Most of our work in this area happens through Wired4Music, the music network for people age 16-25. Wired4Music provides professional and personal development for its members and is a thriving network engaging over 1,000 young people from all of London’s 32 Boroughs.

Wired4Music activity includes:

• Generate – bursaries and mentoring helping people age 18-25 to get a new music project or idea off the ground
   
• Two annual events led by Wired4Music members
   
• Consultation to hear the experiences, ideas and opinions of young people in London
   
• Paid work experience
   
• Sound Connections trusteeships for people under the age of 25

2. Workforce - training and professional development

In order to raise the quality and prevalence of inclusive practice in London, we provide a variety of training and development opportunities. In 2018-2022 these include:

• Delivering the Certificate for Music Educators in London, in partnership with Morley College and the Musicians’ Union
   
• Training courses with topics including diversity, youth voice and impact measurement
   
• Early Years Apprenticeships
   
• Development Needs Analysis (DNA) - 1-to-1 coaching and mentoring
   
• Start Up! – an introduction to working in music education
   
• Innovate investment and mentoring programme for individuals and grassroots organisations
   
• Hosting and facilitating the Music and Social Justice Network and the London Early Years Music Network
   

3. Sector - research and advocacy

London’s music education sector is complex and home to myriad education, arts and cultural, charitable and statutory organisations. In order to achieve inclusion and equity, partnerships with Music Education Hubs, arts and cultural organisations, schools and educational institutions need to be nurtured. Sound Connections plays a vital role as a sector support organisation brokering relationships; asking challenging questions; supporting organisations to think and reflect; and empowering fragile parts of the sector to find their voice. Our activities to challenge and develop the sector include:

• Action research with Hubs and other partners
   
• Networking events
   
• An annual conference championing cutting edge practice
   
• Briefing papers and resources

The aim is that our programme of activities 2018-2022 will result in:

• More targeted activity for babies, children and young people in challenging circumstances
   
• Young people more active as advocates, decision-makers and creators of music opportunities
   
• Better coordinated and connected progression routes reflecting diverse genres
   
• A diverse, representative workforce that is confident and skilled in inclusive practice
   
• A sector that is aligned and more deeply engaged in inclusive practice and policy