Richard Hallam, head of Oxfordshire Music Service and advisor to the DCSF, has been appointed the government's new Music Participation Director.

Richard will be responsible for working with Local Authorities for the effective delivery of music provision for young people. He will have a key role in ensuring that authorities and schools across the country are working together, sharing innovative ideas and best practice, and getting the most out of the £332m music education funding.

The news came in a video address from Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, at the MusicLearningLive conference held at the Sage Gateshead from January 31 to February 2.

This is a new post created to ensure an effective, strategic delivery of music provision across all Local Authorities in England.

For more information visit www.musicmanifesto.co.uk