Amazon and Amazon Music have announced the expansion of an UK music education programme.
The move sees an increase in access to musical instruments, technology and education in more than 30 schools nationwide.
Selected schools will receive complete music technology studios through an award partnership between the charity, Restore The Music UK (RTM) and Amazon. The Tech Award’s studio installs will help create new opportunities for young people to learn, create and engage with music.
The initiative will expand access to professional-grade music technology and not just instruments, providing a full creative toolkit of the likes that today's musicians, producers and sound engineers use. It will help to unlock futures in the fastest-growing segments of the music industry: podcasting, production, DJing, sound engineering and digital composition.
Amazon Music and RTM aim to help address inequalities in access to music education, while investment from Amazon Music complements the Government’s Turn It Up campaign and its wider ambitions to strengthen music education and expand opportunities for more young people to engage with music.
Giving young people the chance to experience the transformative power of music is so important
Laura Lukanz
Since its successful launch last year which was supported by the then Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, the programme has brought state-of-the-art musical equipment to more than 30 schools across the country, creating new opportunities for young people to develop their skills, discover new creative pathways and engage with music.
Laura Lukanz, head of music UK/ANZ, Amazon Music, said: “Giving young people the chance to experience the transformative power of music, no matter where they live or the resources available at their school, is so important. For too many young people, that chance simply doesn't exist. We want to change that.
“This year, we're expanding our partnership with the charity Restore The Music UK. Alongside musical instruments, we're bringing complete music technology studios into thirty schools across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, giving young people access to the same professional-grade tools today's artists, producers, DJs and creators use, helping give the next generation the opportunity to learn, create and be inspired.”
Eligible schools can apply for funding through RTM UK, detailing their specific needs which ensures that every setup is bespoke. The equipment has been donated by Amazon, with support by music tech brands AlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ), Focusrite (Novation, Adam Audio), Sennheiser, InMusic (Akai, M-audio, Alesis, Denon, Numark) and PDT (RockJam, Eno), who share the vision in increasing music education access for students across the UK.
Equipment includes studio microphones, audio interfaces, professional headphones and monitors, recording and production software subscriptions, DJ equipment, controllers and inclusive instruments.
Amazon also presented prizes for the winners of RTM’s Battle Of The Bands awards, including a day at the Amazon Music recording studio and chosen instruments.
The LAET (London Academy of Excellence Tottenham), an Ofsted Outstanding sixth-form in Tottenham, partnered with Highgate School and Tottenham Hotspur FC and has benefited from Amazon Music’s Tech Award in recent years.
Their students are producing DJ sets and original tracks, with the support of youth music organisations: Progression Sessions, Pop Arts, DJMC Academy, Song Academy, Rap Club, and artists including Komenz (Burna Boy's sound engineer), and Avelino.
Polly Stepan, CEO, Restore The Music UK, added: “Music education is not about sitting in a classroom - it’s about hands-on music-making that is accessible, exciting and stimulating.
"Partnering with Amazon and Amazon Music lets us get modern digital equipment into the schools that need it most, helping the hardest-to-reach kids unlock their creative potential. I’m proud Amazon has backed the proven Restore the Music model, and we’re thrilled to lead the charge together.”
PHOTO: Students at St Anne’s School in Stockport open music instrument equipment at the launch of initiative in 2025. CREDIT: Lee Boswell
