ASONE PERFORM CIC RECEIVES ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND FUNDING, ENSURING EXCITING MUSICAL OPTIONS FOR EVERY CHILD IN CORNWALL
Direct access to contemporary music industry professionals opens future success for budding Cornish musicians.
A newly created consortium, led by ASONE Perform, has been granted crucial funding of £702,214 by Arts Council England, from the Department for Education. This funding will bring access to a range of exciting music learning options for all children in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly over the next year.
As of April 2022, Community Interest Company (CIC) ASONE Perform will lead on a programme of high-quality music provision right across the county, in conjunction with its partners. The newly-titled ASONE Hub is a consortium of both national and local organisations including: Falmouth University, MusicAbility CIC, Music for Good, Cornwall Music Service Trust, Livewire Youth Music, Cornwall Museums Partnership and nearly 100 other Cornish music education providers and music industry professionals.
The music Hub for Cornwall, the Cornwall Music Education Hub (CMEH), was set up in 2012 in response to the Government’s National Plan for Music Education and until 31st March 2022, has been led by Cornwall Council. Since then, CMEH had built up a partnership of the most experienced music education deliverers in Cornwall, other Hubs and providers across the South West region and beyond.
The new ASONE Hub will be managed by the original CMEH team who are bringing their experience and network of contacts with them so that it will continue to work with organisations such as Birmingham Conservatoire and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Through the new ASONE Hub, the team will sustain and further develop this high-quality programme. However, the new industry facing ASONE Hub, that is underpinned by a consortium-led approach, will enlarge the previous offering with the addition of a new set of direct contemporary and popular music industry opportunities.
The longer-term plans for ASONE are bold, ambitious and exciting in terms of the opportunities the extensive team will be able offer to all the young people of Cornwall. It will enable the educators and consortium members of Cornwall to offer music industry progression routes to young people. The ASONE Hub will support young people in the early stages of their musical development. ASONE Perform, backed by a strong and broad delivery model, will then identify emerging talent amongst education leavers and early-stage professionals, and provide pathways into industry-based careers.
Rob Simpson, Director of ASONE and NUB Sound said: “I am more than thrilled that ASONE Perform is becoming the new home for Cornwall’s Music Education Hub. Personally, I am looking forward to using many of my skills and contacts in the music industry to help the team maximise the impact of music on the young people of Cornwall.”
Rob continues, “We are overwhelmed by the support to deliver the ASONE Hub that we have received from the music industry and community. The creative talent in and around Cornwall is undeniable. ASONE aims to create educational environments and opportunities for children to excel in music and offer a progression route into the performance sector.”
Hannah Fouracre, Director, Music Education, Arts Council England, said: “We’re pleased that ASONE Perform CIC will be leading Cornwall’s Music Education Hub from 1st April 2022, ensuring a continuity of musical education in schools and communities across the county and on the Isles of Scilly. We were impressed with the strong core musical offer that ASONE Perform CIC presented in their application, as well as their plans for exciting new opportunities, that use a wide variety of musical forms and the chance to work with music industry professionals.”
Hannah continued: “We believe these plans will appeal to a variety of young people, including those who may not think that learning to play music or sing is for them. We look forward to seeing ASONE Perform CIC take this bold vision forward, and working with them and other Cornish partners, to bring new opportunities for every child in Cornwall to get creative and enjoy brilliant culture.”
Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Barbara Ellenbroek said: “Cornwall Council is dedicated to making this a great place to be a child and music is a massive part of our children’s education. I am delighted that ASONE Perform CIC will continue the great work of the Cornwall Music Education Hub, ensuring the continuity of service for children and schools across Cornwall.”
Phil Castang, Director of Creative Learning at Bristol Beacon and Chair of UK Music Education Council said: “I’m delighted to hear the positive news about the future of the new ASONE Hub. Cornwall deserves a fantastic music programme for all young people and we look forward to supporting the independent ASONE team to realise their amazing vision.”
Dr Antti Saario, Head of Music at Falmouth University, will be the Chairperson of ASONE Music Education Hub Strategic Advisory and Governance Board. He said: “I am extremely honoured and excited to be Chairing the new ASONE Hub. This highly skilled group and its members believe that this programme combined with their own delivery will continue to empower the next generation of music makers and professionals in Cornwall. I truly believe that life changing opportunities are created when skilled providers share recourses and work toward a common objective through partnership, effective industry relationships, professional mentoring and knowledge transfer.”