BBC Orchestras and Young Sounds UK Launch National Mentoring Program

The program will be available to 24 musicians aged 15 to 17 across the UK 

BBC’s five orchestras — the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra — have partnered with Young Sounds UK to officially launch the nation’s new mentoring program. 

As of September 2024, the project will support young people making decisions about their career options, or preparing for entry into music colleges or universities.

To start, 24 musicians aged 15 to 17 — all of whom have won an Award with Young Sounds UK — will be matched with a BBC musician for six mentoring sessions. The new program will launch over the summer with a special insight day at the Royal Albert Hall. 

With their mentors acting as role models, guides, and advocates, the young artists will gain access to music experiences across the BBC, and other opportunities provided by representatives from each of the BBC Orchestras; they will also have the chance to learn from the teams at Radio 3, BBC Audio, and BBC Proms.

This partnership builds on the 2022 BBC and Young Sounds UK Exchange program pilot, which successfully united young people with musicians from the BBC Symphony Orchestra. 

The new program also reflects the success of Young Sounds UK’s “Talent to Talent” mentoring program, where young musicians at varying levels of their musical development took on the role of mentor and mentee to learn through sharing ideas and experiences. 

“I am delighted to be extending our partnership with Young Sounds UK,” said the BBC’s Head of Orchestras and Choirs, Simon Webb in the press release. “With all five BBC orchestras now involved, we are able to expand our geographical reach and support young people facing financial and social obstacles to progress — either towards a musical career or in fostering a lifelong love of classical music.”  

“We’re really excited to expand our long-term collaboration with the BBC to bring together top-level professional musicians with the hugely talented young musicians whom we’re here to help,” added Young Sounds UK’s CEO Hester Cockcroft. “As the program name, Exchange, suggests, this is a unique opportunity for learning for both mentors and mentees. Our young people can’t wait to get started!”