We’re looking to connect with MIA retailers who’d like to help more children and adults experience the joy of playing music, by hosting free lessons in-store as part of this year’s Learn to Play initiative in October.
This is a chance for MIA members to support Learn to Play, the nationwide music participation campaign led by Music for All, working in partnership with Rocksteady Music School and the Rocksteady Foundation. It’s all about getting instruments into young hands and giving children that first spark, the moment they realise they can make music themselves. Rocksteady, the UK’s largest provider of in-school band lessons for primary school children, exists to make that first step feel exciting and achievable, and Learn to Play is a brilliant way to bring it to even more children and families.
Learn to Play is Music for All’s flagship annual event and the UK’s biggest free music-making weekend. Taking place from 8th–11th October, the campaign inspires people of all ages and abilities to start or return to playing music through free lessons, workshops and introductory sessions.
Rocksteady has long been associated with the MIA and previously partnered with PMT stores to deliver free, beginner-friendly lessons during Learn to Play weekends. While PMT is no longer operating, Rocksteady remains committed to supporting the campaign and is now looking for new retail venue partners across the UK.
Rocksteady can provide experienced, friendly music tutors to deliver the sessions free of charge, so your team can carry on as normal while we run the lessons. What we need are welcoming retail spaces where children, families and first-time players feel encouraged to pick up an instrument and have a go.
For music retailers, hosting a session is a meaningful way to:
- Inspire children to take their first steps in music
- Give families a fun, pressure-free introduction to playing an instrument
- Support grassroots music-making in your local community
- Open your doors to people who might never otherwise step inside a music shop
- Share your knowledge and passion for music with the next generation
- Be part of a nationally recognised music participation campaign
If your store would like to host Learn to Play sessions in partnership with Music for All and Rocksteady, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about Music for All and Learn to Play – https://www.musicforall.org.uk and https://www.musicforall.org.uk/what-is-learn-to-play/
Learn more about Rocksteady Music School and the Rocksteady Foundation – https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com
