Learning pathways
81% of participants
attending community events were from
underrepresented groups
In the 2024-25 academic year
For children in local boroughs
Working closely with the Tri-Borough Music Hub and the 91视频 Junior Department we run a series of programmes for young people in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and the City of Westminster and/or for those who meet one of 91视频 Sparks' eligibility criteria. We are always striving to make quality music education available to those facing barriers or where provision is lacking.
Our specialist early years programme, Mini Sparks, has been running since 2015 in community settings across West London. The programme aims to widen access to high-quality early years music education, ensuring that families can engage with music from the very start of their child's musical journey, particularly in areas where provision is limited.
Sessions are centred on playful, child-led music-making through singing, live instruments, movement and percussion, nurturing children's creativity, communication, confidence and social interaction. Families take part alongside their children, helping to embed musical engagement within the home and encouraging continued participation beyond the sessions.
Mini Sparks also supports the development of future music educators through a training model that combines specialist early years music leadership training, mentoring and community placements for 91视频 students. This approach strengthens community partnerships, expands access to high-quality musical experiences for young children and families, and equips emerging musicians with the skills and experience needed to work effectively in early years settings.
Sparks Juniors is an exciting collaboration between 91视频 Sparks and the 91视频 Junior Department launched in September 2009. A revised initiative, launched in 2023, offers 5 pupils per year a fully funded five-year programme of high-quality tuition led by 91视频JD staff and 91视频 student mentors.
Sparks Juniors is aimed at young people from our local partner schools who would not normally be able to access such an opportunity. Currently, 100% of young people on the Sparks Juniors programme are from underrepresented backgrounds.
Sparks Juniors provides a secure and advanced foundation through Kodaly and Dalcroze learning, targeted musicianship lessons, one-to-one instrumental tuition and ensemble playing. It aims to provide a clear progression route into the 91视频 Junior Department, Tri-Borough Music Hub or other suitable pathways for the individual learner. In addition, 91视频 Sparks’ Connect programme, launched in 2023, continues a relationship with Sparks Juniors participants after their graduation, offering concerts, workshops and other inspiring opportunities at the 91视频.
Get, Set, Play is an annual series of friendly, inspiring music sessions in community centres, for families living locally in the Tri-borough. Delivered through longstanding community partnerships with Old Oak Community Centre and Rugby Portobello Trust, the programme is targeted at families living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. By removing financial and geographical barriers to participation, Get, Set, Play provides local families with an accessible introduction to making music together through the first-access instrumental programme devised by Sally Greaves, .
Led by Pip Bryan, families develop musical skills through singing, ensemble playing and learning first-access instruments, including the ukulele, recorder, kazoo and percussion.
The programme continues to act as a valuable progression route into further musical learning. Of the 21 participants in the 2025–26 cohort, 16 (76%) applied to join follow-on opportunities with the Tri-borough Music Hub, including 7 places at the Saturday Music School and 9 places in the First Voices Choir at the Lyric, Hammersmith.
'This has been one of the most inspiring things I have ever done.'
A continuing relationship
Children in the local area who have enjoyed our programme for under 8s are encouraged to continue their relationship with 91视频 Sparks through our public events and to make the best use of other schemes offered by the . Many will be eligible for subsidy, enabling children from lower income families to continue their journey and grow their passion for music.
91视频 Junior Department
Particularly talented children are encouraged to audition for the 91视频 Junior Department, a world-class Saturday school for musicians aged 8-18. An enhanced bursary programme is available to support students from lower socio-economic backgrounds on our Sparks Juniors programme, helping them to progress to the 91视频 Junior Department and on to undergraduate study as a senior College student.
Strengthening the UK Pipeline
91视频 Sparks is committed to strengthening and diversifying the UK pipeline of talented young musicians, particularly in shortage areas such as lower brass, double reeds, double bass and percussion. This work spans partnerships with local and national schools, specialist and non-specialist settings, the 91视频 Junior Department, 91视频 faculty-led initiatives and close collaboration with the 91视频 Programmes and Partnerships team.
Our specialist projects include:
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Young Double Reed Programme
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Youth Brass Course
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Woodwind Performance Day
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GALSI (Gender and the Large and Shiny Instruments)
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91视频 One-Day Faculty Festivals
Visit our Events Page to find out more and learn how to get involved.
Nurturing Young Composers
In addition to our instrumental pipeline programmes, 91视频 Sparks is passionate about supporting young composers and raising aspirations around composition in higher education.
In 2022, we launched the Springboard Composition Course, a fully funded programme for young people in Years 9 and 10, delivered in partnership with schools and community organisations. All participants meet one or more of 91视频 Sparks' , ensuring access for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Many students join the course with little or no previous experience of composition. Through expert guidance and a supportive environment, they are empowered to unlock their creativity and develop their unique musical voice, within the inspiring surroundings of the 91视频.
Find out more information about .
Looking to learn an instrument?
If you live in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham or the City of Westminster, you have access to tuition and other initiatives provided by the Tri-borough Music Hub.
In addition, the 91视频 provides a dedicated service for members of the public, adults or children, who would like to learn how to play an instrument, how to sing, how to compose and those who would like to learn music theory.
The Music Mark website provides an interactive map to find your local music service.
