Who We Are

York Music Education CIC (YME) is the not-for-profit music service for the City of York.
We’re the city’s largest employer of music tutors and support over 500 students every week through school lessons, after-school clubs, ensembles, instrument hire and more.

About Us ›

What We Offer

We provide a complete music education journey for children and young people in York — delivered in schools, after school, and at our central York Music Centre:

• Instrumental and vocal lessons delivered in schools or through the York Music Centre

• Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET) and CPD for class teachers

• Ensemble music groups for all ages and abilities — from complete beginners to advanced players

• York Youth Orchestra – inspiring and challenging the most talented young musicians from across York’s schools

• Early Years and after-school music clubs to spark a lifelong love of music

• Affordable instrument hire and repair services

• Digital learning using Charanga – accessible, engaging music education for all

• Performance opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally

Membership Fees › Enrol Now ›

Projects & Partnerships

We collaborate with some of York’s most respected music organisations to create meaningful experiences for young people:

• I Can Play! – Music sessions for deaf children hosted at York Music Centre in partnership with NCEM

• Yorchestra – Holiday orchestra programme

• NCEM – Early Music ensemble (Minster Minstrels)

• Late Music – Student compositions with local composers (2012–2025)

• York St John University & Yorkshire Film Archive – Composition for film project with YSJ PhD students at the £17m Creative Centre

• The Snowman (2024) – Performance project with York Youth Orchestra and three local primary schools

• Live Performances – Including Selby Abbey, Bootham School, York Railway Institute (with Raphael Wallfisch), The Mount School, York High School, and The Hub at Burnholme and multiple years at the York Proms

• Charanga & ABRSM – Longstanding national partnerships

See Our Projects ›

What is a Music Hub?

The national Music Hub structure has changed — and there's still some confusion locally about what a Hub actually is. We've put together a short explainer to help clarify the model, outline what's changing in York and North Yorkshire, and share what’s coming next.
Find out more ›

Why Choose Us?

✅ 30+ professional tutors
✅ 500+ active students
✅ Central York location
✅ Charity-supported bursaries
✅ Fully integrated SpeedAdmin system for parents, staff & students
✅ Flexible, low-cost Instrument Hire Service using stock gifted to York Music Education by City of York Council
✅ Proud winner of York Cultural Award in partnership with Explore York (2017) for The Big Sing project

Get Involved

Whether you're a parent, school, musician or supporter — we’d love to welcome you:

• Enrol in lessons or an ensemble

• Hire an instrument

• Join our tutor team

• Support our work through the Friends of York Music Centre

Join Us › Contact ›