Welcome to our Spring Newsletter - a season of growth, creativity, and plenty of music-making across all our projects. We’re excited to share some of the wonderful moments and milestones from the CMST community
Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST) is pleased to announce that it will lead the delivery of a funded music education programme for children and young people across Cornwall for the Summer Term 2026 only.
This short-term programme will ensure continuity of high-quality music education provision during a period of transition, while arrangements are made for the appointment of a new Music Hub lead organisation from September 2026.
A statement from the Department for Education and Arts Council England said:
“After stepping down as the Music Hub lead organisation, ASONE Perform CIC will use the remaining Music Hubs grant and staff capacity to manage finances and report on music education activity for Autumn and Spring in the current academic year 2025/26. This will allow an orderly closure of activities while Arts Council England appoints a new lead organisation for the academic year 2026/27. Schools and delivery partners should contact ASONE Perform CIC directly about payment for completed work.
“Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST) will deliver a new funded Summer Music Education Programme for children and young people with the support of Arts Council England. CMST will contact schools about this offer before the Easter break.
“Applications to become the Music Hub lead organisation for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 1 September 2026 are open until midday on 23 April.
“Arts Council England welcomes applications from properly constituted organisations with a strong track record and the capacity to manage restricted government funding.
“Eligible organisations include (but are not limited to) schools, multi-academy trusts, local authorities, limited companies, community interest companies, and charities or trusts.
“You can find full details here: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/MusicHubs”.
As part of this Summer Term 2026 programme, Cornwall Music Service Trust will also manage Cornwall Council’s subsidised lesson budget of £56,000. This funding will support access to instrumental and vocal tuition, helping to reduce financial barriers and widen participation in music education during this period.
CMST is committed to working collaboratively with schools, partner organisations, freelancers, and the wider music education sector to support a fair and equitable approach to delivery for the Summer Term. Engagement with stakeholders will also help inform future models of provision from September 2026 onwards.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Music Service Trust said:
“This is an important opportunity to support young people’s access to music at a key point in the academic year. We are focused on ensuring that provision runs smoothly over the summer term, while also listening carefully to schools and partners to help shape a strong and sustainable future for music education in Cornwall.”
Further details about the Summer Term 2026 programme will be shared with schools and partners in due course.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Cornwall Music Service Trust
Dr Gareth Churcher
office@cmst.co.uk
01872 246043
About Cornwall Music Service Trust
Cornwall Music Service Trust is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing high-quality music education opportunities for children and young people across Cornwall through instrumental teaching, ensembles, schools partnerships, and inclusive music-making initiatives.
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (number 1159622) and a company limited by guarantee (number 09268124) registered in England.
Registered office: Cornwall Music Service Trust, Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro TR1 1TH
Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST) has received news from Asone Perform CIC (the Music Education Hub Lead Organisation for Cornwall) that it will be relinquishing the role from the end of the academic year, 31st August 2026. We await news of the funding that will be available for the Summer Term 2026 for ensembles and other projects commissioned by the Hub.
CMST is reassuring schools, partners, families, and the wider community that its operations and services remain fully active.
Music Education Hubs are commissioned nationally by Arts Council England, providing funding for music education services to maintained schools and to provide music education opportunities outside school (such as Youth Orchestras and other ensembles).
While the closure of ASONE Music Hub will present some initial challenges for the local music education landscape, CMST plans to operate as near to normal as possible, delivering its established programme of instrumental tuition and inclusive music opportunities for children and young people across Cornwall. However, it is important to recognise that Hub funding provides additional opportunities for young people such as Ensemble provision and Whole Class Ensemble Teaching of instruments (widely known in Cornwall as First Access/School Projects), which may be impacted in the short term as Asone makes decisions in the light of the ending of its contract to provide Music Education Hub services and as a new Hub Lead Organisation is sought.
CMST remains committed to ensuring that young people across Cornwall and beyond will continue to access high-quality music education. The organisation’s core work with schools, community partners, and music educators continues without disruption. CMST will continue with its full programme wherever possible, subject to confirmation of funding and payment arrangements during the transition to a new Hub Lead Organisation.
The Cornwall Music Service Trust recognises the importance of stability and continuity for children and young people at this time. The Trust stands ready to work constructively with Cornwall Council and Arts Council England to support the ongoing development and delivery of music education provision across the area.
CMST is well placed to contribute its expertise, networks, and experience to help ensure that music education opportunities remain accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for all young people in Cornwall. It is a long-established organisation embedded within Cornwall’s education and cultural sector.
CMST remains committed to collaboration with partners at both local and national levels to ensure that Cornwall’s children and young people continue to benefit from high-quality musical learning and participation opportunities now and into the future.
Link to Asone Perform CIC’s announcement: https://asoneperform.com/news/13094728
For further information please contact:
Cornwall Music Service Trust
Dr Gareth Churcher
office@cmst.co.uk
01872 246043
About Cornwall Music Service Trust
Cornwall Music Service Trust is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing high-quality music education opportunities for children and young people across Cornwall through instrumental teaching, ensembles, schools partnerships, and inclusive music-making initiatives.
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (number 1159622) and a company limited by guarantee (number 09268124) registered in England.
Registered office: Cornwall Music Service Trust, Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro TR1 1TH
Welcome to the CMST Autumn Newsletter for 2025.
Cornwall Youth Chamber Choir and Cornwall Junior Choir are now welcoming new members! Open to singers of all levels, these choirs are a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends, grow your confidence, and perform in some of Cornwall’s most inspiring venues. Rehearsals take place in Truro at The Old Cathedral School, right next to the Cathedral – Youth Chamber Choir on Thursday evenings and Junior Choir on Saturday mornings. If you love to sing, this is your chance to get involved!
Welcome back to the CMST Newsletter! It’s been a jam-packed, music-filled summer term, and we’ve got so much to share — from unforgettable performances to exciting new projects. Dive in and see what we’ve been up to!
Join us this summer for Song Treats Music Club, an exciting three-day event packed with music-making, creativity, and fun for Key Stage 2 children. From ensembles and improvisation to jam sessions, composition, and music games, every day offers something new to inspire young musicians. Hosted at Truro School’s Music Block from 29–31 July 2025 (9am–3pm daily), this is a fantastic opportunity for budding talent across Cornwall to grow their skills in a friendly, supportive environment. Just £120 for all three days or £42.75 per day. Run in partnership with Cornwall Music Service Trust.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/YfZUNT4Bttdpy3uh7
Welcome to the Spring 2025 Newsletter!
Discover all the incredible things our students have been up to across Cornwall this term!
Cornwall Music Festival March 10th – 15th 2025
Every year The Cornwall Music Festival takes place in Truro Methodist Church and musicians, both young and old, from all over Cornwall take the opportunity to perform live and to get some expert suggestions about how to progress and move forward.
Many competitors have gone on to become famous musicians across the world both as performers, composers and conductors and teachers.
The Festival has classes for all instruments, including a world music section as well as for rock, pop and soul bands. The music theatre class is always very popular with one class attracting 27 entries last year.
So why not come along and play your latest piece, your party piece, bring your backing track and sing your favourite tune.
Encourage your school choir to take part, there is a £100.00 prize awaiting the winning choir in Junior and Senior categories.
The syllabus and everything you need to know can be found at our website https://www.cornwallmusicfestival.co.uk Don’t take too long to decide though, the closing date is on 17th January 2025.
Looking forward to seeing you in March
David Hendry Chairman
Welcome to the Autumn 2024 Newsletter! See all the amazing things our students have been up to throughout the county.
2024 Festival Plans Unveiled
The St Austell Festival of Music and Speech is very pleased and excited to announce that its syllabus for the 2024 Festival is now released and available online at https://staustellfestival.org/syllabus-and-entries/
Karen Frost, who is the Festival’s newly elected General Secretary says, “I truly believe that the opportunity to perform is vital to our young people. The skills they learn and the confidence that they gain from standing up in public and performing are essential in adult life.”
The Festival offers classes in the Spoken Word (poetry, readings and drama) for individuals and groups. It also offers a wide range of music classes for individuals, small groups and larger ensembles. It aims to be a fun, friendly Festival where people can enjoy performing.
Heather Vaughan, the Festival’s Chairman, says, “We believe that we have a class for everybody to enjoy performing, whether competitively or in a non competitive class. The Committee is always willing to listen to feedback and if you can’t find a class that fits your requirements, our Spoken Word and Music Secretaries will gladly seek to add one so that you can have the opportunity to perform.”
The Festival will take place at its traditional home, St John’s Methodist Church in St Austell in late November and early December.
Entries close on Friday 18th October 2024 at 23:59:59.
Welcome to the Summer 2024 Newsletter! See all the amazing things our students have been up to throughout the county.
Download the Newsletter here:
