Partnership to boost Welsh music education

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) have announced a new partnership to support music education in Wales.

The scheme will focus on three strands in its first year. One of these will involve identifying “cold spots in provision”, and running projects to boost young people’s skills and experience in areas such as choral singing and stringed instruments.

The organisations will also support each other’s youth representation programmes. This will include sharing experience to develop new best practice models and giving young people opportunities for “training, influencing policy and work experience”.

In addition, the ABRSM and NYAW will gather and bring together data to help understand the strengths and gaps within instrument learning, and which parts of Wales need more support.

Evan Dawson, Chief Executive of NYAW, said his organisation was excited to begin a partnership with “one of the world’s leading music education organisations”.

ABRSM’s Deputy Head of Engagement James Welburn said he expected the initiative to be “engaging and energetic”.