Music Hubs are collaborative networks designed to ensure that all children and young people have access to excellent music education. They unite schools, music services, community organisations, professional musicians, and cultural institutions to achieve more together than any one organisation could alone.
“Music hubs operate as partnerships, coordinated by a Hub Lead Organisation to harness and connect local expertise and opportunity.” – Arts Council England
“No single organisation can manage the full breadth of music education provision — it takes a network working together.” – National Plan for Music Education, 2022
The York & North Yorkshire Model
Since September 2024, there has been a single Music Hub for York and North Yorkshire.
-
North Yorkshire Council is the Lead Organisation (HLO), appointed by Arts Council England.
-
The Hub operates under the name North Yorkshire and York Music Hub.
-
North Yorkshire and York Music Hub brings together a wide partnership of schools, community groups and music organisations across the region.
Who’s involved in York?
In York, the delivery partnership includes:
-
York Music Education CIC (YME) – delivering tuition, ensembles, instrument hire and projects.
-
York Music Hub CIO (YMH CIO) – a local charity working as a delivery partner within North Yorkshire and York Music Hub.
-
Local schools and community organisations.
There is no longer a separate statutory “York Music Hub.” Instead, York organisations now contribute to the North Yorkshire and York Music Hub, led by North Yorkshire Council.
A Brief History
-
2012–2017: City of York Council held the grant, with YME delivering music provision.
-
2017–2024: YME spun out as a CIC; YMH CIO was created as the local grant holder.
-
2024 onwards: Under the national Hub restructure, North Yorkshire Council became the sole HLO. YME and YMH transitioned into delivery partner roles.
Despite the name, York Music Hub CIO is not the Hub Lead Organisation — it's one of multiple organisations delivering services commissioned by North Yorkshire and York Music Hub.
What York Music Education CIC Delivers
-
Early Years: weekly 45-minute “First Music Makers” sessions for ages 3–6 at York Music Centre.
-
WCET: whole-class ensemble tuition in schools.
-
School Music Clubs & Peripatetic Teaching: sustained in-school support.
-
Music Centre Ensembles: including York Youth Orchestra for progression opportunities.
-
Instrument Hire & Charanga: including VAT-efficient Charanga provision.
-
Partnership Projects: NCEM’s I Can Play!, Minster Minstrels, Late Music Education Project, York Proms, and more.
-
Systems Infrastructure: SpeedAdmin supports scheduling, bursaries, reporting, and seamless communication.
“Partnerships allow Music Hubs to draw on each organisation’s strengths — ensuring resources are used collaboratively and effectively.” – Music Mark
Explore more of our work: Past Projects & Partnerships
