Orchestras for All and Youth Folk Ensemble gain National status

Orchestras for All and the National Youth Folk Ensemble - both based at Cecil Sharp House - join a network of National Youth Music organisations offering creative opportunities for young people.

The likes of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and British Youth Music Theatre, whose alumni include Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran, are already recognised by the Arts Council and Department for Education for outstanding work in offering residencies, performance opportunities and tuition.

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain already has National status and is now joined by four new London based organisations (Image: Jason Alden)

All recieve funding from the Arts Council with a portion of funds coming from the DfE to help them expand opportunties and teaching for young musicians who may make music their career.

New music charity Sound and Music based in Bethnal Green, and Stratford-based UD which creates life opportunities inspired by Black music culture, also gained national status.The National Youth Folk Ensemble nurtures the talents of aspiring folk performers through tuition and performances (Image: Neil King)

The English Folk Dance and Song Society in Regent's Park Road was handed a £300,000 annual Arts Council grant last autumn to boost understanding and engagement in folk music and dance, including their work with the National Youth Folk Ensemble. The funding will enable them to extend their reach to young people through open days and partnerships with schools and music venues.

Peter Craik, from EFDSS said: "For us this announcement is about increasing visibility of the folk arts – that the national excellence of the National Youth Folk Ensemble is being recognised, as a peer alongside diverse and high-calibre ensembles in other musical genres."The National Youth Folk Ensemble performs at Cecil Sharp House on April 5 (Image: National Youth Folk Ensemble)

Orchestras for All aims to widen participation in music making by running a mixed ability orchestra of children who face barriers to learning instruments, supporting under-resourced schools to run ensembles, and offering training courses for music teachers.

Executive Director Nick Thorne said: “Being invited to join the network of National Youth Music Organisations is a milestone moment for us. Since 2011, we have been championing inclusive music-making throughout the UK and we’re so proud to sit alongside a range of national ensembles and nationally significant organisations.

"The young people we work with inspire us each day through their passion, energy and barrier-smashing enthusiasm.”

The National Youth Folk Ensemble perform at Cecil Sharp House on April 5 and are running free open days to recruit next year's ensemble.