Grant Awarded to Lower Meadow Primary Academy for One Voice Choir Project

We are delighted to announce a new grant to Lower Meadow Primary Academy in Sheffield, supporting pupils to take part in the exciting One Voice choir project.

Based in Batemoor, Sheffield, Lower Meadow Primary Academy will use the grant to cover participation costs for its choir to join hundreds of children from schools across Sheffield for a spectacular shared singing performance.

One Voice is a large-scale singing festival that brings schools together to learn, rehearse, and perform as one, giving pupils the wonderful opportunity to connect with the wider Sheffield community through music.

As part of the project, pupils will receive songs, lyrics, sheet music, and rehearsal tracks to help them prepare. Teachers will benefit from professional development (CPD) sessions, and pupils will take part in live online workshops led by an expert singing tutor ahead of the big day.

The project will culminate in a live concert at Sheffield’s Octagon Centre, where the children will come together to perform for their families and loved ones.

Lower Meadow Primary Academy is passionate about enriching its curriculum and creating unforgettable experiences for its pupils. Being involved in One Voice will help pupils build confidence, develop their musical talents, and gain inspiring performance experience on a major stage.

Our support helps ensure that all pupils can participate fully in high-impact enrichment opportunities like this without financial barriers for the school or families. The grant covers the full participation fee, including all training and musical resources throughout the project.

The project will run from October to December 2026, culminating in the final concert in December 2026.

We’re thrilled to support the pupils and staff at Lower Meadow Primary Academy as they prepare to raise their voices alongside peers from across Sheffield. We look forward to following their journey and celebrating their achievements at the Octagon Centre!

Congratulations to everyone at Lower Meadow Primary Academy — we wish the choir every success with One Voice!

Bringing the Power of Music to Young People in Maltby

At the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence, and community that making music brings—regardless of their financial background.

That is why we are thrilled to support The Fun Hub CIC in Maltby, Rotherham, with funding for their new project, Maltby Music Starters.

Based at Lime Tree House on Limesway, The Fun Hub CIC is a vital cornerstone of the Maltby community. They already support local families through free Stay and Play sessions, a community food pantry, and holiday activity camps. However, with cost-of-living pressures hitting local households hard, extra-curricular opportunities like paid music lessons and instrument hires are often completely out of reach.

Running from October 2026 through January 2027, Maltby Music Starters will deliver 8 to 10 completely free, hands-on sessions for around 20 to 30 children and young people aged roughly 5 to 18 (and under 25s). From group singing and rhythm workshops to learning ukuleles and simple keyboards, the project offers a low-pressure environment to build confidence, make friends, and discover a love for music.

Our funding directly supports young people in South Yorkshire by enabling The Fun Hub CIC to deliver a high-quality, fully accessible musical experience:

Starter Instruments & Music Equipment: Purchasing a new bank of instruments, storage, and practical equipment. Crucially, these will remain permanently at Lime Tree House so young people can keep playing for years to come.

Expert Session Facilitation: Funding an experienced sessional music lead to run interactive workshops in singing, rhythm, and group performance.

Learning Resources & Refreshments: Providing beginner sheet music and learning materials, along with light refreshments for participants during the sessions.

By supporting both the session delivery and a permanent bank of equipment, this grant ensures that young people in Maltby can continue practicing, collaborating, and making music long after the formal project wraps up in January 2027.

We can’t wait to see the young people of Maltby take their first steps on their musical journeys over the coming months!

To learn more about the work happening at Lime Tree House, visit funhubactivities.co.uk.

Grant awarded to Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group

We are delighted to award a grant to Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group,a local charity supporting people living with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, to support its Relax, Sing, Breathe project.

The project will provide singing sessions for people living with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, helping members to connect with others, reduce isolation and experience the wellbeing benefits of music.

SMEFG has been supporting people affected by these conditions for more than 25 years, providing social activities, befriending, information, advice and support. For many of its members, opportunities to take part in accessible social activities can be particularly important, helping people to maintain connections and find enjoyment despite the challenges their conditions can bring.

The singing sessions combine music with breathing techniques and are led by qualified singing teachers with experience of working with people with disabilities. Members have reported benefits including improved mood, greater social connection and improvements in breathing and voice strength.

The project will include both online sessions and an accessible city-centre session at Victoria Hall in Sheffield, helping to remove some of the barriers that can make attending activities difficult for people with mobility issues or limited energy.

The project reflects the values at the heart of The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation: our belief that music has the power to bring people together, improve wellbeing, create happiness and make a positive difference to people’s lives. We are particularly pleased to support an inclusive project that enables people who may otherwise face barriers to participating in music to experience its benefits.

Clare Clifton, Chief Executive of Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group, said:

“Our singing groups provide much more than an opportunity to sing. They give people living with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid the chance to meet others who understand their experiences, build friendships and enjoy an activity together. Members tell us that the sessions have a positive impact on their mood, social connection and breathing. This funding will help us continue providing these valuable sessions and ensure that people can access activities that support their wellbeing.”

We are proud to support Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group and look forward to seeing the Relax, Sing, Breathe project bring people together through the joy and power of music.

Grant Award: Barnsley Pride – Rainbow Rhythms Music Group

We are delighted to award our latest grant to Barnsley Pride to support the continuation and expansion of its Rainbow Rhythms Music Group.

Barnsley Pride has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Barnsley for around 15 years. Alongside its annual Pride event, the organisation delivers year-round activities that help tackle social isolation, improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections.

Rainbow Rhythms is a weekly music group providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people aged 18–60. Participants can learn musical instruments, develop vocal skills and express themselves through music, while building friendships, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.

The group currently attracts 12–20 people each week and brings together participants across generations, creating opportunities to share experiences and support one another.

Our funding will help Barnsley Pride purchase additional musical instruments and equipment, allowing more people to take part and helping the group meet growing demand.

The project aims to reduce isolation and discrimination, improve mental health and wellbeing, develop musical skills and build confidence within the LGBTQ+ community.

We are pleased to support Barnsley Pride in continuing this valuable work and helping create a more connected, inclusive and supportive community in South Yorkshire.

Congratulations to Barnsley Pride, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of Rainbow Rhythms over the coming year.

Find out more about Barnsley Pride: barnsleylgbt.org

Large grants August 2026- The third grant is awarded to Sanctuary 2027 to bring people seeking sanctuary together through music

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is delighted to announce a grant to Sanctuary 2027 to support Sanctuary in the Booth, a new DJ participation project for people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield.

The project will use the power of music to help participants build confidence, learn new skills and create connections within Sheffield’s vibrant music community.

Sanctuary 2027 is a collaboration between Stand and Be Counted Theatre and City of Sanctuary Sheffield, created to mark 20 years since Sheffield became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary. Across 2027, the programme will bring together large-scale events and community-led activity to celebrate and reaffirm Sheffield’s commitment to being a place of safety, welcome and belonging.

Through Sanctuary in the Booth, around 10–15 adults who are refugees, people seeking asylum or other newly arrived migrants will take part in a series of practical DJ workshops between October 2026 and January 2027.

Working with Calabash, participants will learn skills including mixing, music selection, performance and event preparation. Importantly, no previous DJ experience is required.

The project is about much more than learning to DJ. It will create a welcoming space for people who can face significant barriers to accessing creative opportunities, allowing participants to share music from their own cultures, express themselves, meet others and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

Participants will also have the opportunity to perform their DJ sets at a Sanctuary 2027 celebration event in January, giving them a platform to showcase their skills and contribute to Sheffield’s cultural life.

We are particularly excited by the project’s ambition to create opportunities beyond the workshops. Sanctuary 2027 hopes that participants will go on to DJ at other events across Sheffield during 2027, helping them build experience, connections and potential pathways into the city’s creative and music industries.

At The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, we believe in the ability of music to bring people together, build confidence and create opportunities. Supporting projects that use music to make a positive difference in people’s lives is at the heart of what we do — continuing Sarah’s belief in the power of music to connect communities and create joy.

We are proud to support Sanctuary in the Booth and look forward to seeing where these new DJs take their skills next.

Congratulations to everyone involved in Sanctuary 2027, we can’t wait to hear what comes from the booth!

The Foundation’s work is made possible in part through the continued support of Amplify Events and Tramlines Festival, whose commitment to music and the Sheffield community helps us support projects like this.

Large grants August 2026- The second grant is awarded to Street Beats Sheffield run by Urban Beat Academy

Urban Beat Academy CIC has been awarded support from the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation to deliver Street Beats Sheffield, a new community music project bringing free DJing and music production opportunities directly into communities across Sheffield.

This the Second of two larger grants supported through the South Yorkshire Music Hub and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), helping to create new opportunities for young people to engage with music across the region.

Street Beats Sheffield will deliver four free full-day workshops across Sheffield at MatRec in Manor, Osmis Mentoring Services in Attercliffe, Thorncliffe Sports Bar in High Green and Arundel Lane Studios in the city centre.

Taking place on 23, 24, 29 and 30 September 2026, the project will engage between 60 and 100 young people aged under 25, providing hands-on experience in DJing and music production using professional equipment and experienced tutors.

Every participant completing the programme will have the opportunity to achieve the Arundel Lane Studios Industry Skills Award (ISA) Level 1 in DJing and Music Production, giving young people a recognised achievement and a pathway into further learning, mentoring and creative opportunities.

The project is designed to remove barriers such as cost, travel and confidence by taking high-quality music opportunities directly into local communities.

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation has supported Urban Beat Academy previously, and this continued partnership will help us reach new communities and give more young people the opportunity to discover their creativity, build confidence and explore pathways into music and the creative industries.

Street Beats Sheffield is built on a simple belief: where a young person lives should never be a barrier to discovering what they can achieve through music.

Large grants August 2026- The first grant is awarded to Barnsley Youth Choir to Expand Music Opportunities for young people across Barnsley

The grant awarded to Barnsley Youth Choir is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and South Yorkshire Music Hub, as part of wider investment in creating opportunities for young people to engage with music across South Yorkshire. This is the second of two larger grants supported through the programme.

The funding will support the Choir’s new Secondary Schools Partnership Project, running from September 2026 to July 2027.

The project will bring high-quality singing and music workshops directly into secondary schools and special schools across Barnsley. The aim is to work with at least 10 schools, reaching up to 2,000 young people.

Workshops will be delivered free of charge by experienced music leaders, with schools also receiving specially created music resources, including rehearsal tracks, instructional videos and supporting materials. These resources will enable teachers to continue developing music activities with their pupils beyond the initial workshops.

The programme will be inclusive and designed to support young people regardless of their background, previous musical experience or additional needs. By taking opportunities directly into schools, the project will also help reduce the financial and geographical barriers that can prevent young people from accessing music outside their local communities.

Alongside giving young people the opportunity to experience singing and develop their confidence, the project will support teachers with new skills and resources, helping to strengthen music provision within schools for future pupils.

The charity is pleased to support Barnsley Youth Choir through this grant and to contribute to the wider ambition of increasing access to high-quality music opportunities for children and young people across South Yorkshire.

Find out more:
Barnsley Youth Choir CIO
South Yorkshire Music Hub
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)

Sheffield Youth Orchestra and Endcliffe Orchestra bring festive music-making to Victoria Hall

Sheffield Youth Orchestra (SYO)⁠ is preparing to bring young and adult musicians together for a festive celebration of music at Victoria Hall on Saturday 5 December 2026. 

The SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra⁠ Collaborative Christmas Concert will see musicians from both ensembles perform together in what promises to be a vibrant, family-friendly concert showcasing the breadth of music-making in Sheffield. 

SYO, Sheffield’s longest-running independent youth orchestra, has been developing young musicians since 1964. The orchestra welcomes players aged 9–18 with suitable experience and is committed to providing ambitious musical opportunities alongside developing confidence, teamwork and musicianship. 

The Christmas concert builds on the success of last year’s Frozen Festivities, which came close to selling out two performances at Victoria Hall. The collaboration gives young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside members of Sheffield’s EndcliffeOrchestra, treating players from both ensembles as equal members of a large symphony orchestra. 

This year’s programme has been carefully selected to make the concert accessible, engaging and enjoyable for audiences of all generations, while ensuring that the young musicians are appropriately challenged without being overwhelmed. Some of SYO’s younger members will also take on solo roles, giving them the chance to take ownership of the performance and build confidence on stage. 

The project is about more than the concert itself. By bringing together musicians from different generations and audiences from across Sheffield and beyond, SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra hope to demonstrate the range of musical opportunities available in the region and encourage audiences to explore more live classical music throughout the year. 

With affordable tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, the concert will retain SYO’s commitment to making music accessible. The family-friendly atmosphere will also welcome younger audience members, with a relaxed approach that allows families with babies and young children to enjoy the performance comfortably. 

The organisations are also hoping to reach families beyond Sheffield, with promotion planned in Rotherham and Doncaster. 

The concert follows SYO’s wider programme of community engagement. In January and April 2026, its Community Days brought together more than 150 community musicians from a diverse range of backgrounds for two free days of music-making. Participants performed music spanning classical, rock, film and theatre repertoire, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to bringing people together through music. 

River Edis-Smith, Music Director of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, said: “The younger musicians really appreciated being treated as equals to Sheffield’s Endcliffe Orchestra last year, and they performed alongside them in every item on the programme. This year we want to build on that experience, giving our young musicians a real sense of ownership while creating a concert that families and audiences of all ages can enjoy together.” 

Rehearsals for Sheffield Youth Orchestra begin in September, with Endcliffe Orchestra rehearsals starting in November ahead of the concert. 

The SYO and Endcliffe Orchestra Collaborative Christmas Concert takes place at Victoria Hall on Saturday 5 December 2026. With music, collaboration and community at its heart, the event promises to be a festive showcase of the next generation of Sheffield musicians alongside the city’s wider musical community.