Youth Music, in collaboration with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and with support from the National Association of Music Educators (NAME) and Federation of Music Services (FMS), has supported the government's challenge that: "Over time all primary pupils who want to, should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument."

Since January 2003, Youth Music has set up pilot projects in seven Music Services with the aim of fostering collaboration with the formal and informal sectors.

The scheme helped answer important questions in providing opportunities to learn a musical instrument at primary school level, such as: how long a pupil has to try something new before they learn anything, and how many lessons a child needs to have before their mentors or they themselves can feel they are making progress.

The pilot schemes ran in:

• Barking and Dagenham
• Devon
• Kirklees
• Newham
• Norfolk
• Portsmouth
• Staffordshire

For details of each specific programme go to the Youth Music in your area section and select 'Wider Opportunities' from the dropdown menu.