Developing and supporting young people’s music – especially those who are disadvantaged – brings huge reward but also challenge.
We know that as the needs of children and young people change, so too do the needs of those working with them – whether as teachers, workshop leaders, managers, producers, coaches or mentors.
Sound Connections’ 2019-2020 programme focuses on:
- Youth voice and participation
- Music and social justice
- Music in the early years
We really hope you find something here that is useful to your practice, but if not, we’re offering two individuals/organisations a paid opportunity to deliver a training course to share and develop practice that is important to the young people you work with.
All of our events are subsidised with support from The National Foundation for Youth Music and the Rachel Baker Charitable Trust.
Training courses
Sound Connections runs a full programme of training and seminars across the music education sector, including accessible learning, singing and early years. Find out more >
Inclusive Practice in Action
In our annual gathering this year we will be opening up a dialogue on what power and privilege means in music education and for those working with and for children and young people. Find out more >
Music and Social Justice Network
The Music and Social Justice Network is a community of practitioners working with young people through music. We host three Network gatherings per year, each one aimed at helping people understand social justice, and bring greater justice and equity to their work. Find out more>
London Early Years Music Network (LEYMN)
Championing high quality early years music pedagogy and practice in London via networking and training events, and our Apprentice programme. Find out more >
Information, advice & guidance
We offer a range of information, advice and guidance services for individual practitioners and organisations. Find out more >
rb&hArts Music and Healthcare Mentoring Scheme
In partnership with Sound Connections, this mentoring programme is run by rb&hArts and is an opportunity to take part in an informal training programme of shadowing, mentoring and learning to develop the skills and confidence to work with vulnerable people of all ages in healthcare settings. It is part of rb&hArts’ commitment to providing professional development opportunities for musicians wishing to develop and run high quality music activities in clinical settings.
Applications for the January 2020 scheme are now open. Apply by Wednesday 9 October.
Would Like To Meet…
Our highly successful twice-yearly networking event that brings together individuals and organisations from across the music education world. Find out more >
Upcoming Events
How to facilitate co-created music projects
Friday 24 January 2020
10:30am - 4:30pm
Music and Social Justice Network - Music, Youth and City Life in the Digital Age - Workshop 2
Monday 27 January 2020
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Inclusive Practice in Action: Power and Privilege
Thursday 13 February 2020
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Arts and schools networking event (Merton)
Monday 24 February 2020
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Creating diverse, equal and inclusive musical environments in the Early Years
Tuesday 25 February 2020
4:00pm - 7:30pm
Start Up
Thursday 27 February 2020
10:00am - 1:00pm
Music for young children with SEND
Tuesday 3 March 2020
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Using Carnival Themes in Youth Music Workshops
Saturday 7 March 2020
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Arts and schools networking event (Hounslow)
Monday 9 March 2020
4:30pm - 6:30pm
LEYMN Meeting 2
Wednesday 11 March 2020
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Music and Social Justice Network - Music, Youth and City Life in the Digital Age - Workshop 3
Thursday 26 March 2020
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Get Business Ready
Wednesday 8 April 2020
10:00am-4:00pm
Youth Voice and Participation for Senior Managers: How to develop a culture of shared decision-making with young people
Monday 4 May 2020
10:00am - 1:00pm
