Community / Plans afoot to improve youth music funding
PLANS to establish a new organisation to support youth music initiatives and development in Shetland are well under way.
The new organisation, proposed by those in charge of the annual Youth Music Festival at Mareel and the Shetland Youth Orchestra, is being set up to fill the gaps created by the lack of funding from national and local government.
The Shetland Youth Music Foundation (SYMF) will be voted on at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at Islesburgh Community Centre on Saturday 25 October, starting at 12 noon.
Current secretary Annalie Irvine said the success of youth music needs to be secured in Shetland.
“With this change in structure and in joining of forces, we will be able to attract a greater level of funding and help more young musicians to enjoy playing and performing in Shetland,” she said.
Government and school funding to promote and give opportunities for young musicians to perform in public has significantly diminished in recent years, Irvine added.
As a result, organisers are finding it increasingly hard to raise the finances needed to run large-scale events such as the music festival, public concerts and workshops that give young players coaching and the chance to perform together.
Chairwoman Sioban McGregor said: “The importance of music education and performance opportunities for young people has been exhibited every year for the last eight decades in Shetland at the Youth Music Festival.
“The confidence and pride this gives young performers is second to none. It is our duty as educators to ensure a musical future for our young people and give them every opportunity possible with no barriers.”
Treasurer Justin Rhodes added the team hoped to be able to unlock greater funding opportunities from the likes of the National Lottery, arts foundations and sponsorship offers from organisations and businesses in Shetland.
“We were delighted to have the support of Shetland Charitable Trust and the Shetland Community Benefit Fund, as well as Lerwick Port Authority and Shetland Musical Heritage Trust for the 2025 music festival,” he said.
“We are now we are looking to see how we can build on this success and attract longer-term support.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Junior Youth Music Festival will be held at Mareel from 16 to 19 March and details can be found at www.symf.co.uk
The Shetland Youth Orchestra are also visiting Bergen in June 2026 and are fundraising to support the trip. Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/syo2026
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