Sheffield Music Hub’s Free ‘Learn to Play Day’

Sheffield Music Hub believes that every child – regardless of race, gender, where they live, their levels of musical talent, parental income, whether they have special educational needs or disabilities, and whether they are looked-after children – deserves the very best music education.

Our Vision

Learn to Play 2025 offers children and young people an exciting, accessible opportunity to try music, which is often unavailable to them.

Offering young people the chance to try a wide range of instruments, receive bespoke lessons, and take part in music group taster sessions, ‘Learn to Play’ is an entirely free service. By removing financial and social barriers, we aim to reach those who might otherwise never have the chance to engage with music.

On Saturday 11th October, Red Tape Central was alive with music and energy as over 150 children and young people attended ‘Learn to Play 2025’, delivered in partnership with national charity Music for All.

Here is what the day looked like in numbers:

• 74 young people registered in advance for lessons and group sessions.
• 50 additional attendees joined on the day.
• Junior Voices (Children’s Choir): 15 attendees
• Let’s Make Music (ages 5–7): 27 attendees – all brand new!
• Folk Session (Soundpost partners): 6 attendees

59% of attendees were new to Sheffield Music Hub, demonstrating the event’s success in reaching new audiences and breaking down barriers to music education.

The instrument stalls buzzed with children eager to try new instruments. Parents praised the opportunity and the joy of the day, and many said it was their child’s first time holding an instrument.

What Parents Said

“I think it’s great that you have got all these instruments and all these people, and that just letting people come and play is really fun. Alice was shy at first, but now she is really into it.”

“It has been absolutely fantastic for kids to come in, try lots of instruments with no judgement. Your wonderful staff teach them to play the instruments, to have a go, and to have fun, which is the whole point, isn’t it?”

And when asked if the event would encourage future music involvement:

“Definitely. I think she has become much more familiar with different instruments. It has become less of a mystery, and now she is more confident about what they are and how they feel. It’s a fantastic way of showing what she is interested in playing. Thank you. It has been brilliant.”

Youth Leadership in Action

We were grateful to have several older students supporting the Taster Day, especially at the instrument stalls. These students played a leading role, guiding and inspiring the younger participants with enthusiasm.

Their contribution:

• Enhanced the experience for attendees.
• Allowed more children to try instruments.
• Freed staff to engage with parents and carers.
• Built community bonds and leadership skills among older students.

• Helped older students inspire the younger students by showing them what is possible on their instruments.

This involvement was a direct result of Sheffield Music Hub’s Voice for Youth programme, which gives young people a platform to share their views and tell us what they want from music education in Sheffield.

Why It Matters

Learn to Play is a statement of what Sheffield Music Hub stands for: music for every child. By offering free, inclusive opportunities, we open doors that might otherwise remain closed. With over half of the attendees being new to Sheffield Music Hub, Learn to Play enables us to connect with new audiences and spread the joy of music.