About Us
Music for Youth is a national youth music charity working with young people aged 25 and under across the UK. Our aim is to ensure that every young person in the UK can achieve their musical potential by performing the music they love. We believe that music, and the chance to participate in high-quality musical activities, should be open to every young person.
Our Vision is to be the spearhead of a vibrant, inclusive cultural movement where the brilliance of youth music inspires communities, enriches the nation’s identity, and nurtures the next generation of creatives.
Our Mission is to develop, celebrate and unite the extraordinary talent of young musicians from every corner of the UK, creating a national stage that amplifies their voices and artistry.
We do this by providing opportunities, platforms, and support for young musicians to develop and showcase their talent, connect with peers, and shine on a national stage, ensuring their creativity is recognised, celebrated, and championed across the UK.
For over 50 years, Music for Youth’s annual cycle of regional festivals, local events, a national festival and showcase concerts has made a significant contribution to the music education calendar, bringing together regional providers and young performers, and putting young people’s own achievements into a wider national context.
Music for Youth has four main purposes:
NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS
We produce and stage high-quality professional standard live music events (including gigs, concerts, and festivals) for young musicians, both regionally at grass roots level, and at the UK’s most prestigious live music venues.
YOUNG ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
We nurture and develop young musicians so they can realise their musical potential, by initiating adventurous collaborations, commissioning new music, and providing a robust music mentoring programme.
CREATIVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
We provide skills and training development for young people looking for a career in the creative industries in non-performance and stagecraft roles such as stage management, sound engineering, lighting and digital production skills.
ADVOCACY FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
We campaign to highlight the brilliance of young musicians.
OUR EVENTS AND PROGRAMMES
We provide young people with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of events, programmes and workshops, both live and online. This includes our National Festival held in Birmingham each summer, the MFY Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in November, as well as smaller regional and genre-specific events held across the country throughout the year, alongside an ongoing programme of digital activities.
MUSIC MENTORS
Developing young artists forms a vital part of our work and music mentoring is central to this. Our Music for Youth Mentors are respected professional musicians and music educators working across the musical spectrum, and together we support hundreds of groups and individuals with their unique musical development.
MFY Mentors are present at all our events, including the Regional and National Festivals, providing all participants with access to advice from experts in their field.
Mentors offer critique and support to all participants, whether in person at an event, or in the form of written feedback or an online Mentor-On-Call session.
CREATIVE CAREERS
We offer young people aged 16 - 25 the opportunity to work with us at our events. This not only gives young people the opportunity to learn new skills, it also gives them first-hand experience of what is involved in creating a national event, in the run-up, on the night and behind the scenes.