Music Funding Hits the Right Note in Lincolnshire

Music Funding Hits the Right Note in Lincolnshire New Campaign Boosting Music Education for Local Children

A new fundraising campaign, launched by FLINSO (Friends of Lincolnshire Schools’ Orchestras) in partnership with Lincolnshire Music Service, is already making a powerful difference in the lives of children and young people across Lincolnshire.

With music education funding significantly cut back in recent years, this innovative partnership — formally launched in autumn 2024 — is bringing renewed hope and opportunities to local schools and communities.

Thanks to the generosity of local donors, recent fundraising has already been invested into Lincolnshire’s local music centres — hubs that offer lessons, rehearsals, and performance opportunities for young musicians (learn more here: Music Centres – Lincolnshire Music Service). Funding is also supporting projects like the Graffiti Classics Playground Proms, bringing live, interactive music performances to 25 schools, reaching over 7500 children across the county.

“Without this funding, our pupils would never have had the chance to perform with professional musicians — it’s opened up a whole new world for them.” Primary Headteacher

Research by the Birmingham Music Education Group (BMERG) has shown a worrying trend: 21% of state schools in England have seen a 21% decrease in music provision, widening the gap between independent schools and pupils from deprived areas. Without targeted support, thousands of children risk missing out on the life-changing benefits that music education can offer.

Even global stars are paying attention. Pop icon Ed Sheeran recently urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to increase funding for music in schools, saying that “music in and out of school should be for all, not a few.”

Lincolnshire Music Service, the lead organisation of the Lincolnshire Music Education Hub, is committed to delivering high-quality music education for children of all backgrounds. With FLINSO’s support, they have already made strides in:

• Enabling FREE access, for hundreds of children, to music making activities at centres
• Providing inspirational live music concerts to thousands of children in primary school playgrounds
• Highlighting targeted support, such as additional bursaries, for musically gifted children in most need to attend courses and other events.

At the heart of this campaign is a simple but powerful mission: removing barriers to music participation for every child.

To make a donation or find out how you can support the campaign, visit: Flinso