Newcastle artist Sam Fender lends his support
Respected grant giving music charity Restore The Music has announced today its latest funding round has awarded £180,000 in grants to the music departments of eleven state schools in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham, reaching 8,400 pupils with access to nearly 2,000 instruments in some of the most deprived areas of the UK.
Restore The Music (RTM) reveals that since inception in 2013, including this latest funding round, it has awarded nearly £2.4 million across 130 state schools, giving vital access to30,000 musical instruments and equipment to 100,000 children aged 4-18, helping to unlock musical potential and enabling those most in need to be enriched by the transformative power of music.
In particular, Newcastle’s Walker Riverside Academy was selected to receive £20k in musical equipment via RTM’s partnership with Sony Music UK Social Justice Fund and its Beyond The Instrument initiative, which saw Ministry of Sound artist DJ Schak visit the school to demo music equipment, host a talk and DJ masterclass for pupils. Newcastle/South Tyneside’s Hebburn Comprehensive School also received £20k as part of RTM’s partnership with Fishmonger’s Livery Company.
Six London schools, of which three primary and three secondary schools, have been identified as among some of the most deprived in the capital, receiving a total of £90k. Meanwhile, Birmingham’s Ark Kings Academy, in a city which is recently facing huge budget cuts and cultural deprivation, benefited from £20k.
Sam Fender, Newcastle native, singer, songwriter, musician and Restore the Music supporter, said “I’m glad to support Restore The Music on this announcement about giving greater access to music to young people, especially as it has targeted Newcastle as a key city in need. Thank you RTM!”
About Restore The Music
Restore The Music (RTM) believes music is a powerful tool for change as it unlocks potential. RTM is a grant-giving music charity that invests in the next generation, reaching them by providing vital funding to school music departments in some of the most deprived areas in the UK.
Founded in 2013 by Polly Moore, RTM provides the state schools it identifies as most underserved, with a grant to build a diverse and comprehensive music provision to young people. Originally a London-centric grant programme, RTM became a registered charity (number 1172363) in 2017. The Restore the Music Capital Grant Programme is now also open to applicants in Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. Since inception 11 years ago, RTM has reached 100,000 pupils in 130 schools across the UK with over £2.4 million to access 30,000 musical instruments and resources. RTM creates events, such as the annual Battle Of The Bands and RTM music teacher Celebration dinners, to celebrate its funding outcomes. RTM Grants are only awarded to state primary and secondary schools.