Keep Playing - a new Young Fellowship Programme by Philharmonia Orchestra

Music education and instrumental learning is in decline across the UK. To help with this, the Philharmonia is launching a new Young Fellowship Programme, to support young orchestral musicians from low-income families to realise their potential.

'With permanent residencies in five English towns and cities, we are at the heart of the communities we want to support. Our learning and participation programme is deeply connected to schools and music services in these areas, which means that we have the infrastructure to make a real difference.

The Philharmonia Young Fellowship programme will supercharge the music education of talented orchestral musicians aged 10-15, initially in Leicester. In close collaboration with Leicester-Shire Schools Music Service and their schools, our Young Fellows will have a better chance to reach their musical potential. This will be achieved through additional one-to-one lessons with our players, creative weekends and free access to our rehearsals and concerts.

This age range covers two crucial 'drop-off' points where many young musicians give up their instrument:

• The transition from primary to secondary school, when whole class music lessons and subsidised instrumental tuition comes to an end, making it impossible for many low-income families to support their child's music studies.
• From Year 9 to 10, when exam pressure takes hold.'

Read more here