Amazon And Amazon Music Expands Initiative Providing State Of The Art Music Technology To Schools Across The UK
In Partnership With Restore The Music, Over 30 Schools Will Receive Investment To Increase Accessibility To Music Education
Students at St Anne’s School in Stockport open music instrument equipment at the launch of initiative in 2025, ahead of its expansion this year. Photo credit: Lee Boswell
Wednesday 30th September: Today, Amazon and Amazon Music announce the expansion of its groundbreaking music education programme, increasing access to musical instruments, technology and education in schools across the UK. In partnership with charity Restore the Music UK (RTM), the Amazon x RTM Music Tech Award will provide selected schools with complete music technology studios, helping to create new opportunities for young people to learn, create and engage with music.
The initiative will expand access to professional-grade music technology, not just instruments, but a full creative toolkit that today's musicians, producers and sound engineers use. Helping to unlock futures in the fastest-growing segments of the music industry: podcasting, production, DJing, sound engineering and digital composition. Thirty schools across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle will benefit from the Amazon Music x Restore the Music initiative this year.
The programme comes at a time when access to music education and school funding are firmly in the national spotlight, with figures across the UK music industry calling for greater investment and support. By providing comprehensive music equipment to schools where it is needed most, Amazon Music and RTM aim to help address inequalities in access to music education, while investment from Amazon Music complements the Government’s Turn It Up campaign and its wider ambitions to strengthen music education and expand opportunities for more young people to engage with music.
Since its successful launch last year which was supported by the then Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, the programme has brought state-of-the-art musical equipment to more than thirty schools across the country, creating new opportunities for young people to develop their skills, discover new creative pathways and engage with music.
Laura Lukanz, Head of Music UK/ANZ at Amazon Music comments: “Giving young people the chance to experience the transformative power of music, no matter where they live or the resources available at their school, is so important. For too many young people, that chance simply doesn't exist. We want to change that.
“This year, we're expanding our partnership with the charity Restore the Music UK. Alongside musical instruments, we're bringing complete music technology studios into thirty schools across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, giving young people access to the same professional-grade tools today's artists, producers, DJs and creators use, helping give the next generation the opportunity to learn, create and be inspired.”
Eligible schools can apply for funding through Restore The Music UK, detailing their specific needs which ensures that every setup is bespoke. The equipment has been donated by Amazon, with support by leading music tech brands AlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ), Focusrite (Novation, Adam Audio), Sennheiser, InMusic (Akai, M-audio, Alesis, Denon, Numark) and PDT (RockJam, Eno), who share the vision in increasing music education access for students across the UK. Equipment includes studio microphones, audio interfaces, professional headphones and monitors, recording & production software subscriptions, DJ equipment, controllers and inclusive instruments.
Amazon also presented prizes for the winners of Restore The Music’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ awards, including a day at the Amazon Music recording studio and chosen instruments.
The LAET (London Academy of Excellence Tottenham), an Ofsted Outstanding sixth-form in Tottenham partnered with Highgate School and Tottenham Hotspur FC, has benefited hugely from Amazon Music’s Tech Award in recent years. Their students are producing exceptional DJ sets and original tracks, with the support of youth music organisations Progression Sessions, Pop Arts, DJMC Academy, Song Academy, Rap Club, and artists including Komenz (Burna Boy's sound engineer), and Avelino.
Polly Stepan, CEO of Restore the Music UK adds: “Music education is not about sitting in a classroom - it’s about hands-on music-making that is accessible, exciting and stimulating. Partnering with Amazon and Amazon Music lets us get modern digital equipment into the schools that need it most, helping the hardest-to-reach kids unlock their creative potential. I’m proud Amazon has backed the proven Restore the Music model, and we’re thrilled to lead the charge together.”
The Amazon x RTM Music Tech Award forms part of a broader commitment to supporting creativity and emerging talent across the UK, alongside initiatives including the recently launched Amazon Regional Creatives Fund and programmes such as the Step Up Fund, +44 x NQ Stage at Beyond the Music, Amazon Music For Artists Master Classes and POWER UP . Together, these initiatives provide funding, skills, opportunities and platforms to help emerging, underrepresented and underfunded artists and music creators develop their careers.
