Music for Youth National Festival Returns to Birmingham!
This July, Birmingham will once again take centre stage as it hosts the UK’s largest celebration of young musical talent — the Music for Youth National Festival 2025.
Taking place from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th July 2025, the National Festival will bring over 8,000 young performers from across the UK to the city for three inspiring days of live performances and engaging workshops. The festival highlights the breadth of youth music-making, from classical ensembles and choirs to jazz, pop, rock, folk and rap to innovative cross-genre collaborations.
A Showcase of Musical Excellence
The festival will feature performance groups across various genres and stages of musical development, offering audiences the chance to experience an extraordinary range of talent and artistry. Performances will take place in Birmingham’s most prestigious venues, including:
- Symphony Hall – Home to world-class orchestras and large-scale ensembles
- CBSO Centre – Showcasing smaller chamber groups and jazz performances
- Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at B:Music – A hub for emerging artists and new music creators
From full-scale orchestras and jazz collectives to dynamic youth choirs, the festival’s diverse line-up ensures an unforgettable musical experience for performers and audiences alike.
Primary Live is Back for 2025!
Primary Live 2025 is supported by Trinity College London. Primary Live offers an ideal opportunity for children to work towards Arts Award Discover – through learning about different art forms, experiencing a variety of music genres, and exploring the work of artists. Arts Award is a unique set of qualifications for children and young people aged 25 and under, managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England.
Schools entering students for Arts Award achieved through Music for Youth activity are eligible for a special discount. Find out more on the Arts Award website.
Phil Castang MBE, CEO at Music for Youth, said:
"We’re thrilled to bring the National Festival back to Birmingham. It’s a city with an incredible musical history and a passionate commitment to youth arts. We invite Birmingham organisations, educators, and supporters to join us, partner with us, and help create an unforgettable celebration of music and community.”
Festival Fringe
In addition to the main performances, the festival features:
Fringe Stage – Showcasing experimental and boundary-pushing new work
Workshops - Designed to equip young musicians with new skills, creative inspiration, and insights from industry professionals, covering everything from composition to improvisation, phrasing and performance practice.
Interactive Marketplace – Engaging audiences of all ages with hands-on music experiences
The Music for Youth National Festival is more than just a showcase—it is a platform for the next generation of artists, educators, and cultural leaders.
Gearing up for the National Festival? We want to see your journey!
Instagram: @MusicForYouth
TikTok: @musicforyouth
For full programme details, ticket information, and partnership opportunities, click below
For press enquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact:
Abbie Strowbridge-Knight, Senior Marketing Officer
📧 abbie@mfy.org.uk
📞 020 8106 5825
About the author
Ethan McInerney
Ethan is the Programme and Marketing Assistant at MFY, working to deliver their programme of events throughout the year. He has experience as a trumpeter/composer, graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2022 and has an extensive background of Commercial, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Classical gigs, alongside media composition commissions.