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Monday, 15 September, 2025
Seven emerging youth music leaders from across the UK have graduated with Distinction from the pilot year of the Brass Foundations Future Leaders Programme (FLP) — our new training initiative that equips the next generation of banding educators with the skills to inspire and sustain youth music-making.
Run as part of our award-winning Brass Foundations programme, which promotes brass progression for young people in England, the Future Leaders Programme offers a unique opportunity for developing musicians and educators to build confidence, refresh their skills, and refine their approach to inclusive music leadership.
What is the Future Leaders Programme?
Launched in 2024–25, the FLP is designed around the RSL Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Music and Performing Arts Learning. Across a year of study, participants receive specialist training in pedagogy, safeguarding, inclusive practice, and session planning, alongside personalised one-to-one mentorship. The programme provides practical tools tailored to the realities of working with children and young people in brass bands and community ensembles.
Celebrating participant success
The first seven graduates, representing Cornwall, Sussex, Powys, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and Cumbria, brought diverse musical and educational backgrounds to the pilot year. Together, they created new teaching resources, launched youth-focused projects, and even performed on world-class stages.
Every participant reported greater confidence, stronger clarity of purpose, and practical improvements in their leadership. One graduate reflected:
“We can see the excitement of children getting that first sound, and help them navigate all the many barriers. It feels like important work.”
Another added:
“The environment created was wonderfully supportive and collaborative… it has been a wonderful experience and a great opportunity.”
Sheila Allen, Brass Bands England's Learning Manager and lead for the Future Leaders Programme, said:
“The fact that every participant achieved a Distinction is a testament both to the rigour of the programme and to the commitment of this first cohort, who together have set a very high benchmark for future years. Whilst it takes significant work for all candidates to reach the top grade, the pilot year brought together an outstanding group of motivated individuals whose dedication, collaboration, and growth throughout the course was remarkable. Their collective success reflects not only their own hard work, but also the effectiveness of the Future Leaders model in raising standards across the board.”
Outcomes for the banding sector
The Future Leaders Programme is already strengthening the foundations of banding’s future. By refining how young educators plan, communicate, and lead, the initiative ensures that children entering brass bands today will experience high-quality, inclusive teaching and mentoring. These graduates will now carry their new skills into their communities, nurturing fresh generations of players and contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the sector as a whole.
How to get involved
Following the success of this pilot year, more information about the next round of Future Leaders will be launched in early 2026.
Over the next 12 months, we will profile each of the seven graduates to share their stories and showcase the tangible impact of their learning. These spotlights will demonstrate how the programme transforms not only the leaders themselves, but also the young musicians they guide.
We warmly congratulate our seven Future Leaders for their achievements and invite the next generation of youth music leaders to apply in 2026 — to build on this success and help shape the future of inspiring, inclusive brass band leadership. To find out more about the programme and its graduates, visit the Future Leaders webpage.