Musical Futures is a not-for-profit music education program, pedagogy and resource platform built for teachers, children and youths. It was started in the United Kingdom in 2003 by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and is now an internationally recognised enterprise.
The Musical Futures journey began in 2003 when the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, an independent grant-making foundation, instigated an initiative to find new and imaginative ways of engaging all young people, aged 11–18, in meaningful music activities. The starting point for Musical Futures was to understand the factors affecting the apparent disengagement of young people with sustained musicmaking activities, at a time in their lives when music is not only a passion for many young people, but plays a big part in shaping their social identity. A year of consultation was followed by two years of ‘Pathfinder’ action research projects, where teams in Leeds, Nottingham and Hertfordshire trialled a number of learning models to find ways of engaging all young people in music-making, both in and out of school. The pathfinders were Music Services working in partnership with young people, schools, universities, professional music organisations and community music organisations. Alongside this, a number of research and development projects were also commissioned. Following the development of tried-and-tested models, the first set of teacher resource materials were published in 2006 and made available free of charge. The following provides a brief outline of the pathfinders, research and development partners, and where to find further information.
In 2018, Musical Futures were selected in HundrED's top 100 Global education innovations.[1]
In January 2021, Musical Futures unveiled their new resource platform, Musical Futures Online. The subscription-based website contains thousands of audio & visual learning resources built for classroom and home use. Teachers and music professionals can subscribe to the platform though any of the 3 membership plans, Standard (ideal for Primary teaching), Premium (ideal for Primary & Secondary teaching) and Ultimate (ideal for Secondary teaching with technology).
The platform features a wide range of resources to support teachers in delivering music from ages 7 – 16 (Key Stages 2 – 4 in the UK). All resources are developed, tested and refined by teachers and practitioners in their own settings.
Lucy Green, the Institute of Education and Hertfordshire Music Service developed a self-directed, independent learning music education program. Students work in small groups on a series of musical tasks. This draws on the real-life learning practices of professional musicians.
Nottingham City Music Service developed a program for Year 7-8 students. It puts the students in real musical activities and environments. It aims to draw together practice from classroom, instrumental and extra-curricular music into an integrated package for students.
Education Leeds Artforms created a program to help young people to make choices about the music they engage with beyond the classroom.