The NUT is a major sponsor of Music for Youth, an educational charity with a worldwide reputation for its work in music education.

Each year Music for Youth provides free access to educational and performance opportunities for young people, aged from 4 to 21 years, through its nationwide series of festivals and concerts. These 70 festivals, held across the UK, provide young people with the opportunity to perform before live audiences, listen to the work taking place in neighbouring schools, and receive valuable feedback from MFY Mentors. The festival series culminates in the Schools Prom in November at the Royal Albert Hall, which showcases the extraordinary musical talents of young people around the country.

If your school is interested in getting involved in the 2012 Season, log on to the Music for Youth website www.mfy.org.uk.

On Thursday 31 January MFY is hosting two free Primary Prom concerts for primary aged children at Exeter University’s Great Hall.

The Primary Proms provide children with the opportunity to experience live music in a major concert hall. Presenting dynamic, vibrant and eclectic performances by some really talented young musicians from the surrounding area, these concerts aim to inspire and motivate the next generation of music-makers.

Tickets for the event are free and can be booked from the following link:

http://www.mfy.org.uk/inspiration/primaryproms

Fantastic performance opportunities for young music groups and bands coming to your local area this Spring.

Across February, March and April over seventy festivals will be taking place in venues across the UK. Performing in these festivals is a great way for local music groups to be part of a national event and offers groups of all experience, background and genre the opportunity to perform to new audiences, listen to other groups and get valuable feedback from professional musicians (MFY Music Mentors). Music Mentors will listen to each performance, providing feedback and encouragement to the groups, helping them grow musically.

It's free to take part and very easy to enter online, just visit www.mfy.org.uk/regional and follow the step by step process.