About Music Education Islington

Music Education Islington is the Music Education Hub for the London Borough of Islington.

Music Education Islington is led by Islington Council and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, in partnership with Music in Secondary Schools Trust and leading arts organisations and funders. It is the first Music Education Hub to be led by a local authority working with an internationally renowned conservatoire and receives funding from Arts Council England and Dame Alice Owen Foundation. 

We offer a wealth of diverse opportunities for children and young people in Islington to access world-class music education, resources and creative experiences. 

MEI seeks to ensure all children, develop their music skills regardless of their background or attainment and is part of Islington Council’s commitment to a fairer Islington where young people learn and thrive. 

We have two key priorities – to increase and widen access to music education for children and young people in the borough and ensure they have clear pathways to continue their musical development.

Guildhall School is the central contact point for delivery partners, schools, young people and their parents and carers.

Since our inception in 2018, we have enabled more than 11,000 young people to have access to a music education, working with more than 50 Islington Schools each year. Through our instrument loan service, more than 6,000 students have been able to have access to instruments at school and at home.  

Our Commitment and Vision

Music Education Islington’s vision is for all children and young people to receive a fair share of high quality music education and progression opportunities irrespective of their background. 

Through our partnership, we are committed to providing the following to all children and young people (aged 5 to 18) in the London borough of Islington: 

•    The opportunity to learn a musical instrument through whole-class ensemble teaching programmes for a minimum of one term  
•    Opportunities to play in ensembles and perform from an early stage 
•    Clear and affordable progression routes 
•    The chance to sing regularly with choirs and other vocal ensembles in the area
•    An instrument loan service
•    Discounts or free provision for those on low incomes
•    Access to high-quality music experiences, working with professional musicians through Guildhall School, Barbican and other professional music organisations.