Discover
Young Sounds UK bring Discover training to Aberdeen
We’ve been running our Discover training in England since 2008 and we’re now looking to start the programme in Scotland! Starting with free sessions in Aberdeen.
Read more
Double your donation this week with Arts for Impact!
From helping with mental health to improving social skills, arts and culture can have a huge, meaningful impact on the lives of young musicians. The Arts for Impact campaign supports arts and culture charities, like Young Sounds, working to achieve societal impact across the UK.
We’re looking to raise £20,000 to help more young people so they don’t have to give up their pursuit of a musical future. Any donations made by 12.00 pm on Tuesday 25 March will be doubled!
The rising cost of supporting musical talent
There are many costs that come with pursuing a musical passion. There are of course the costs for instrument hire or purchase and for tuition – for many families, these are already unaffordable. When other essential costs such as travel expenses, exam fees, and instrument maintenance and repairs are added, it can quickly seem impossible for parents to support their child’s talent.
Cost continues to be one of the biggest barriers for young people not just starting their musical journey, but progressing and pursuing musical excellence – and these are rising.
Every year, the costs facing young people as they pursue music leap higher and higher. Since 2016, average costs have increased by:
| Rail fare | Practical music exams | Private music lessons |
|---|---|---|
| 48% | 44% | 16% |
| (Office of Rail and Road) | (ABRSM) | (Independent Society of Musicians) |
As we strive to support more young musicians, our own costs to support them also increase. It now costs us 40% more than it did in 2016 to cover attendance costs for our Awards Days (travel and accommodation for young people) – in 2016, it cost us an average of £173 per young person; in 2024 the costs had risen to £242.
We’re determined to keep raising funds to help young musicians overcome these financial challenges.
How to help
For one week only, any donation you make will be doubled, directly benefiting the young musicians we’re here to support.
| £10 doubled to £20 | £20 doubled to £40 |
|---|---|
| can cover travel expenses for a young person who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to their music lesson. | can pay for a young person’s music lesson. |
| £70 doubled to £140 | £500 doubled to £1,000 |
|---|---|
| can fund the cost of a Grade 8 music exam. | can fund an entire year of support for a young musician on our Thrive programme. |
If you believe that nothing should stand in the way of a talented young musician reaching their potential, we’d be delighted if you’d support us.
If you have any questions about donating and Arts for Impact, please get in touch with Young Sounds’ Development Administrator, Katherine Rigg:
Email: [email protected]
Together, we’ll continue to give musical talent a chance. Thank you!