Overall aim:

To work with partners to ensure that all children and young people in the UK have access to high quality singing opportunities.

• Singing is an activity that children and young people can participate in and enjoy, whatever their background and ability.
• Singing develops general musicianship skills relevant to all instruments.
• Youth Music supports music-making where the voice is the main instrument.
• Further investment is required to increase the number and quality of singing and vocal opportunities available to children and young people.
   

In the period 2005-10 Youth Music would like to increase the number of music-making opportunities available to children and young people. Singing is the most accessible means for the majority of people to participate in music making because:

• It’s inexpensive: You do not have to purchase your instrument and it is easy to maintain
• It’s portable: You carry your instrument with you
• It’s diverse: People of all abilities and musical backgrounds can participate

Other benefits of singing are:

• It enables easy access to music of many cultures and styles
• It has positive benefits to our health and well being

Youth Music’s Singing and Vocals policy will focus on children and young people aged 8-14. We believe that participation in vocal activities will have the most impact on this age group.

• By age 8 most children have developed sufficient vocal strength and sense of pitch to begin exploring a range of singing styles in a structured way
• By focusing on the benefits of singing at a key age in the development of young people’s identities, negative peer pressure influences related to singing may be avoided.
• The age range 8-14 encompasses the time when male voices normally break (13/14).  Providing additional support during this period will encourage boys to continue with their singing.

• To widen and improve the perception of singing at all levels: children, parents, schools, media, government
• To improve the skills and confidence of singing leaders and teachers
• To improve the quality of singing among 8-14 year olds
• To increase the number of children and young people participating in vocal activities by 1 million by 2010

Youth Music wants to enable children and young people to experience making music where the voice is the main instrument.   We recognise that not all young people want to ‘sing’ but may want to use their voice to make music. ‘Singing and vocals’ includes, but is not restricted to: beatboxing, rapping, any popular music styles with or without microphones, scat singing, choral singing, musical theatre, gospel, chant and all other vocal styles from around the world. 

Through its funding programmes, Youth Music supports group music making. However, solo and small ensemble opportunities can be offered within larger participant groups.

Singbook is singing resource from Youth Music to aid teachers and youth leaders in providing better singing experiences for children and young people.
Find out more at www.singbook.org.uk