Birmingham Schools Jazz Band has been selected to perform at The Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (Monday, November 9).

It is the third year running that Birmingham has been represented at the Youth Proms which this year features a wide-ranging musical programme spanning orchestral classics, big band jazz, folk, rock, and pop performed by thousands of young musicians.

The 16-strong Jazz Band, under the leadership of Birmingham musician Alicia Gardener-Trejo, was chosen by Music for Youth after participating in a series of concerts across the UK that involved more than 15,000 young musicians from music hubs, schools and community organisations.

“It’s tremendous news that Birmingham is once again represented at this, the most prestigious youth music event in the UK,” said Richard Mabbot, Head of the Music Service at Services For Education whose Music Service teaches music in most Birmingham schools, runs 113 free ensembles and provides more than 18,000 musical instruments free of charge to the city’s school children.

“I am certain that these talented musicians from Birmingham schools will have a brilliant time on the Royal Albert Hall stage.”

The Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall is an annual two-night national youth music festival showcasing over 3,000 young performers from across the UK. It was first staged in 1975 as The Schools Proms and each year features a wide range of musical genres from gospel choirs and jazz orchestras to folk ensembles, steel pan bands, and rock groups.

ENDS

About Services For Education

Services For Education is an education and training charity based in Birmingham, that brings music and learning to life. The organisation employs around 200 staff who deliver music tuition to children and provide expert training and development to teaching and school support staff. It works with more than 90% of Birmingham schools and has an annual income of £7.1m (2024/2025). Part-funded by Arts Council England, it also operates its own fundraising and subsidised commercial activities. Services For Education works with more than 90% of Birmingham local authority schools.

Services For Education’s Music Service, teaches music to more than 28,000 children each year, reflecting Birmingham’s diverse population. Twenty-two percent of pupils it teaches have special needs, 35% are eligible for free school meals and more than 40% have English as an additional language.  The Music Service also runs 113 free ensembles and provides more than 18,000 musical instruments free of charge, ensuring that children can access and enjoy making music together. In recent years, to enable children to develop musical skills and experience collaborative music-making, it has expanded its whole-class instrumental teaching. Each year, 12,500 children in Birmingham schools take part.

A highlight of the year is Services For Education’s annual Youth Proms at Symphony Hall that enables nearly 3,000 young musicians from schools throughout Birmingham to perform to an audience of more than 6,000 over four nights. The Music Service also runs music schools, operates a world music department, provides private music tuition for all ages, and works with partners to offer musical and choral opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Services For Education’s School Support Service delivers expert training and development to teaching and support staff in schools across the West Midlands and increasingly across England.

It helps improve practice and ensures teachers are equipped to respond to changes in curriculum and policy. In 2024/25, 94% of head teachers rated its training as either good or excellent.

The organisation also delivers innovative programmes that support the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and young people through its Health for Life initiative which has been running for more than a decade. Learn more at www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

For further information on Services For Education:

David Clarke, Clarke Associates, (Public and media relations, Services For Education)
E: david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk;
M: 07808 735255

Issued on behalf of:

Services For Education
Unit 3 Holt Court
Holt Street
Birmingham Science Park
Aston
Birmingham B7 4AX