Early Childhood Music in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire has a rich musical heritage and our next generation of creatives, our problem solvers and future leaders are currently under 6 years old. What happens in these children's early years will shape both their life chances AND the cultural and economic future of South Yorkshire. As well as bringing joy and magic, investing in early childhood music creates better educational, health, social and economic outcomes.

Provision of ECM across South Yorkshire is currently fragmented. The map below illustrates the known reach of early childhood music now, from a wide variety of providers including ECM specialist Concerteenies, darts and Little Voices, Big Noises as well as franchises such as Music Bugs and Moo Music and activities taking place in libraries, Family Hubs and faith venues. Access is currently dictated by a postcode lottery rather than need. Rural and disadvantaged areas lack any regular delivery; urban centres have established programmes, but the majority are reliant on precarious project funding. Some of the pointers on the map are for regular, weekly activity whilst others are for ‘one-off’ events. The ECM sector is currently disconnected, undervalued, unrepresentative of our communities and non-inclusive. 

Early Childhood Music in South Yorkshire seeks to change that. Our vision is for EVERY child aged 0-5 in South Yorkshire to experience a rich, affordable and sustainable musical life within ‘pushchair proximity’ of where they live, and for everyone to understand why music matters. 

ECMiSY is a powerful new partnership bringing together South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, South Yorkshire Music Hub, Concerteenies, darts, The Sheffield College, Sheffield Hallam University and the region’s libraries, Family Hubs, nurseries, cultural organisations, musicians and local authorities.