Calling all Cornish Ensemble Leaders: ASONE Hub Ensemble Funding for 25-27 is now open!
ASONE Hub is pleased to announce the opening of its 2025-2027 Ensemble Funding round, supporting County and local area ensembles across Cornwall. This funding plays a key role in strengthening musical progression, ensuring access to high-quality group music-making and performance opportunities for children and young people.
Currently, ASONE Hub supports 25 ensembles, including Cornwall’s County Ensembles. These groups are critical stepping stones for learners, supporting skills development, confidence, musical excellence, and collaboration.
From 2025, ASONE Hub will introduce a new administrative system to improve transparency, simplify the process and align with updated Department for Education (DfE) and Arts Council England (ACE) expectations for Hub Lead Organisations (HLO).
“Having grown up singing in my school Jazz ensemble, it has been a long-term ambition of mine to support clear progression pathways and meaningful performance opportunities for young music learners. I’m proud to see that vision becoming a reality through the work we fund across the Cornwall Music Hub - celebrating existing ensemble activity and supporting the development of new opportunities.” Millie Young, Head of Programme.
What’s New for 2025–2027?
To make the process clearer and more consistent, ASONE Hub is rolling out the following updates:
Application Process
- A new, simplified application form
- A cost estimation tool to support accurate budgeting
- Updated Terms and Conditions that reflect current funding policy
Annual Reporting Requirements
- Evidence of ensemble membership and attendance
- Evidence of expenditure aligned with the proposed budget
- A written explanation of any underspend (if applicable)
Teaching and Learning Standards
- Ensembles will need to demonstrate alignment with ASONE Hub’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Key Performance Indicators
- Evidence of using or working towards modern teaching approaches, including learner-led or inclusive pedagogy
The programme welcomes a diverse mix of ensemble models, such as:
- County and Local ensembles, recognising the value of both regional excellence and community-based participation
- Small-scale and large-scale provision, supporting flexible delivery for different contexts
- New ensembles that explore specific genres or work with targeted groups of young people
Why Ensembles Matter
According to a 2023 report from Music Mark and ABRSM’s Making Music Work study, ensemble learning is one of the most effective ways to retain engagement and build community in music education. It supports not only musical skills but also social connections, teamwork, and personal development.
In Cornwall, ensembles remain a measurable output for ASONE Hub’s delivery of the National Plan for Music Education (NPME).
Celebrating Success
Carrick Winds, Cornwall Youth Choirs, Cornwall Youth Brass Ensemble, Superstrings (a collaborative project including Truro Junior Strings, St Austell Chamber Orchestra, Caradon Strings) and Mode Music Tech Ensemble were all invited to take part in the National Festival of Music for Youth in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in July.
St Austell Town Youth Band were awarded 3rd place at the National Youth Brass Band Championships Performance Section.
Truro Youth String Orchestra won best Ensemble at the Cornwall Music Festival.
Trigg Winds, Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra and Carrick Winds joined forces for the finale for CMST’s Hall for Cornwall 10th anniversary celebrations.
Cornwall Youth Orchestra and Cornwall Youth Choirs collaborated for a concert at Truro Cathedral celebrating Celtic music from around the globe.
Penzance Junior String and BOWS played a concert alongside an international string quartet from IMS Prussia Cove led by Leslie Hatfield, leader of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
The MODE music tech ensemble was created by ASONE Hub in response to a noticeable gap in the performance landscape - despite technology being central to most modern music acts, few ensembles were actively integrating it into live group settings.
ASONE Hub is working in partnership with Music for Good to embed IDEA principles across all programmes, demonstrating a firm commitment to supporting music leaders and widening participation.
Fair Access and Bridging the Gap
If the funding round is oversubscribed, ASONE Hub will prioritise ensembles that demonstrate alignment with our Bridging the Gap principles:
- Tackling geographical disadvantage
- Supporting hard-to-reach learners
- Promoting diversity and inclusion
- Creating clear progression pathways
- Addressing local skill gaps in teaching or leadership
Funding decisions will be reviewed biennially. ASONE hub reserves the right to deny applications to ensure, equitable access and best value for the taxpayer.
Key Dates
- Applications open: Friday 6 June 2025
- Deadline for submissions: Friday 11 July 2025, 3pm
- Funding period: September 2025 – August 2027
How to Apply
Please read through the guidelines and complete the application form via our website.
Recommended Reading for New Leaders:
Need Help or Have Questions?
Reach out to the ASONE Hub team for support with your application or to discuss your ensemble idea. We welcome proposals from both established and new leaders committed to inclusive, high-quality music-making.