Help us ensure that ability not affordability determines our future music-makers

Thank you for considering a donation to our 2025 Bursary Appeal.

Equity and inclusion underpins everything we do at Sound and Music, driven by our industry-leading Fair Access Principles. Every year we run a bursary appeal to fund more free-of-charge places for young people from all corners of the UK, backgrounds and circumstances on our trailblazing artist development programme for 14-18 year olds, In the Making.

In the Making is the only programme of its kind in the UK and is made affordable for all thanks to the generous support of our funders, partners and supporters. This means the costs are heavily subsidised - and waived entirely for those from low income households.

We invite our community – and anyone who is passionate about new music and the importance of youth music in particular – to donate to the bursary appeal.

Donations to the bursary appeal go directly towards access costs, food, travel, and accommodation as well as the pastoral support staff that make our residential at the University of Huddersfield a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment for all.

Here's what some of the 2024 cohort had to say:

“It was a whole new experience for me and it definitely exceeded my expectations. It was directed so well!”

“The residential was fun, safe, sociable and full of opportunity with encouraging tutors and staff. I can’t really offer any improvements to it.”

“Hearing my music played live in a concert with the support and appreciation of everyone I met was an unbeatable highlight.”

"The whole experience has been amazing and exceeded all expectations. It's opened so many doors and I'm so grateful."

“Thank you! For everything, and to all the staff who helped create such an amazing experience. I don't think I'll ever forget it."

A word from our Chief Executive, Dr Will Dutta:

"National music education and youth music is in a state of alarming decline and talented young people have limited, patchy and unequal access to opportunities to realise their creative potential.

This has drastic implications for the future of new music in the UK.

In the Making is an exception, offering an inclusive, world class and UK-wide programme and thanks to the exceptional generosity of our donors, we can ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation in this transformational programme. Every single donation goes directly towards supporting the costs of young people from every corner of the UK to be part of it."

To support the Bursary Appeal, you can complete the form on this page or make a donation by cheque.

If you would like to discuss the appeal with a member of the team you can email fundraising@soundandmusic.org.

Find out more about In the Making

Read more about the impact of In the Making on Eva of the 2024 cohort in her own words

The In the Making 2024 Residential Showcase celebrated the young artists’ final compositions in an inspiring series of performances caught on video. This is what you are enabling by making a donation to our bursary appeal.

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“In the Making gives young musicians the chance to let their creativity blossom. It’s an unmatched opportunity that just isn't available elsewhere and was one of the most incredible musical experiences I've ever had. In the Making is essential to the future of new music in the UK.”Billie, alumni and In the Making Pastoral Support Staff