Music for Youth work in partnership with music hubs, schools, universities, community organsiations, music teachers and venues to host regional festivals (music showcases) across the whole of the UK throughout Spring each year. These festivals enable music groups to make connections with music education hubs, venues, ensemble leaders and to see a wide range of other musical groups from across the region. 

Anyone can sign up to perform live at a Regional Festival, or you can submit a recording of your performance to ‘Mentor Connects’, our digital programme which enables groups to take part even if they can’t attend a live local event. We welcome any type of group, musical genre, or standard to sign up. The only requirement is that you are a group of two or more musicians aged 21 or younger.   

Through attendance at one of our Regional Festivals groups can: 

• Join the MFY pathway with the opportunity to play at iconic venues across the country including Symphony Hall, Bristol Beacon, and the Royal Albert Hall. 
• See exciting young ensembles, bands, and choirs, perform to the highest standard.
• Receive performance mentoring from leading music practitioners working at the highest level. 
• Create new links within your region and/or strengthen existing ones. 
• Meet with peers from across the region and discuss possible creative collaborations, and partnerships. 

We have worked with thousands of ensembles, groups and bands over the years and brought numerous young artists to our National Festival where they get to perform at an international standard concert venue. For many groups, this has then led to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall and in some cases to bookings at events around the world. 

The National Festival is a coming together of musicians, bands and ensembles from across the regions to perform together on world-class stages including Symphony Hall, Town Hall, and the CBSO Centre. It's a key date in the Music for Youth calendar, hosted by the city of Birmingham in July.  

Over 10,000 young musicians aged 4-21 from across the UK take part and musical groups and ensembles of all ages, styles, instruments and genres perform, with audience members encouraged to watch performances throughout the day. 

The festival shines a spotlight on the creativity and talents of young musicians and creates an atmosphere where ‘everyone’s a headliner.’ The festival supports the next generation of talented young musicians and gives them unforgettable performance opportunities on world-class stages.  

The 2025 National Festival will be taking place on Thursday 10 - Saturday 12 July 2025. To find out about the 2024 National Festival click below.

The Music for Youth Proms will be on 27th and 28th November 2024.

The Proms showcases the brilliance of young musicians from across the whole UK. Known for its electric atmosphere and diverse musical performances, each night, over 1500 amazing young musicians perform on the iconic Royal Albert Hall stage in ensembles, bands, and choirs large and small. From orchestral classics to traditional folk and roots and from big band jazz to big sound rock and pop.