Continued Welsh Government Funding secures bright future for music education in Cardiff and the Vale
Cardiff and Vale Music Education warmly welcomes the Welsh Government’s announcement of continued funding for the National Music Service over the next three years. This vital support ensures the sustained delivery of the National Plan for Music Education (NPME) across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
As the lead organisation for NPME delivery in the region, Cardiff and Vale Music Education has used the associated grant to re-establish and expand its reach following the challenges of the pandemic. The funding has enabled the service to strengthen relationships with schools, develop new partnerships, and significantly increase the number of children and young people engaging with music education.
Since the launch of the First Experiences programme in January 2022, over 18,500 children across 150 primary schools and settings have benefited from a wide range of musical opportunities. Targeted projects have introduced pupils to instruments and genres with historically lower uptake, including digital composition using GarageBand, strings, harps, woodwind, and trombone.
Additional highlights of the NPME delivery include:
- Professional Learning opportunities for school teachers
- Live Music Experiences reaching over 17,000 learners
- Inclusive projects supporting learners with additional learning needs
- The development of the ‘Little Gigs’ initiative in partnership with the Cardiff Curriculum Team and Cardiff Council’s Music Strategy.
- Cardiff’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “This continued investment in music education is a powerful endorsement of the transformative role music plays in young people’s lives. It allows us to build on our successes, broaden access, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to discover their musical voice.”