The joy of making music with support from the Richard Shephard Music Foundation
THE Richard Shephard Music Foundation (RSMF) is celebrating its most successful year to date.
More than 8,685 children have received weekly music lessons through partnerships with 34 schools across Yorkshire and Tees Valley.
This milestone marks significant progress towards the York foundation’s goal of teaching 10,000 children every week by 2026: a target that will mean almost one in seven primary-aged children in the region will have regular access to high-quality music education.
Andrea Hayes, foundation trustee and former head teacher, says: “Music inspires, unites and empowers. The foundation brings that power into classrooms, ensuring every child, whatever their background, can access high-quality music teaching.”
Here are the key highlights from the RSMF’s 2024–25 Impact Report:
• 8,685 children received weekly music lessons, totalling 8,250 hours of high-quality music education.
• 34 partner schools participated, including new additions in East Yorkshire, Saltburn, Darlington, Richmond and Selby.
• 450 children joined the foundation’s biggest-ever Make Music Day, celebrating creativity and collaboration through live workshops and performances.
• Ten free Music Explorers holiday clubs reached 263 children, with an average of 57 per cent eligible for free school meals, rising to 85 per cent in Scarborough.
• 1,943 children took part in foundation-led events, concerts, and community performances.
Revelling in the power of music for schoolchildren
Independent evaluations and teacher feedback revealed transformative results:
• 99 per cent of staff reported improved confidence among pupils.
• 97 per cent saw enhanced musical knowledge.
• 92 per cent observed improvements in wellbeing.
• 94 per cent said their school’s standard of music teaching had improved.
A teacher from Crayke C of E Primary School says: “The love of music you are instilling in children is wonderful. It’s breathing life back into the curriculum.”
Reaching communities that need it most
HALF of the RSMF’s partner schools have more than 30 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, and 12 are based in Arts Council England’s Priority Places. By focusing on these areas, RSMF is ensuring access to the social, emotional and educational benefits of music for children who might otherwise miss out.
How you can be involved
WHETHER you are a parent, musician or member of the public passionate about music education, RSMF would like to invite you to be involved. “Please consider becoming a Friend of the Foundation by committing to a monthly donation – as small or large as suits you,” requests the RSMF. “You’ll receive updates from the foundation and invitations to events.” For more details, visit: donate.rsmf.org.uk.
Young players in unison
Cathy Grant, the foundation’s chief executive, says: “Research highlights time and time again that music education is not an equal playing field. The Child of the North* report found that 93 per cent of children are being excluded from arts and cultural education due to a lack of funding in state schools, with almost half (42 per cent) of secondary schools no longer entering pupils for GCSE Music.
“The same report outlined how participation in arts activities also correlates strongly with socioeconomic status, with children from the most affluent backgrounds being three times more likely to sing in a choir or play in an orchestra than those in deprived areas.
Cathy continues: “Our work directly addresses these inequalities, aiming to level the playing field for children across our region. We’re encouraged by the Government’s recent curriculum review report, which commits to ensuring that ‘the arts are an entitlement within the national curriculum for every pupil, not an optional extra’. We think our work in the region is a practical example of how this can be delivered.”
For more information about the Richard Shephard Music Foundation and its work supporting schools, visit www.rsmf.org.uk. View the RSMF’s Music Is A Key video at: https://youtu.be/jdJGf3fCvbg.
* N8 Research Partnership produced the Child of the North report, an evidence-based approach to creating a culture of inclusive opportunity through arts and creativity, in March 2025.
Upcoming Richard Shephard Music Foundation events:
Saturday, November 29 2025 to Monday, January 5 2026: York Minster Christmas Tree Festival, featuring RSMF Christmas tree.
Saturday, November 29, Scarborough Sparkle: School choir from Overdale Primary School singing from 11am to 12 noon.
Wednesday, December 3: Acomb Primary School Christmas busking, York Railway Station, 9.45am to 10.30am.
Thursday, December 4 2025: Christmas Celebration, St Olave’s Church, Marygate, York, 1.30pm to 3pm. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rsmf-christmas-music-celebration-tickets-1756681294039?aff=oddtdtcreator.