Young Enterprise is offering students the opportunity to set up and run their own real music businesses in schools. 

The Quickstart Music Programme, which is aimed at 14-16 year-olds, has been developed by Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading business and enterprise education charity, along with the online schools music network NUMU and support from British Music Rights.

The 10-week programme offers a combination of theory and practical experience to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills to plan, finance and operate their own music businesses within school.  Volunteer advisors from the world of business and the music industry will be brought in to give students the benefit of their experience in all aspects of the industry including A&R, marketing, productions and promotion. 

Students will also be able to access and promote the talent of young creators via the NUMU website, a dedicated safe site where young musicians can showcase their work.  By using the internet to put young music creators and entrepreneurs in touch across the country, it is hoped that eventually an entire mini-music industry will operate in secondary schools across the UK.

Much of the success of the music companies will depend on how well they positively exploit the value of copyright.  British Music Rights hopes that the programme will give teenagers the chance to learn valuable enterprise skills and gain a sophisticated understanding of copyright in a way that draws on their natural passion for music.

In October, British Music Rights co-sponsored a Westminster reception to launch the Music Manifesto’s Report #2, which was hosted by the All-Party Music Group.  The theme was the cultural and economic significance of music to the UK and the critical role that education plays.

The evening featured a live performance from Josh Flowers, whose music is featured on the NuMu website.  Josh has been playing for four years and his influences include Cat Stevens , Damien Rice and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

The Quickstart Music programme will be trialled in a few pilot schools, before launching nationally from 2007-2008. 

For more information, visit www.bmr.org, www.young-enterprise.org.uk/ and www.NUMU.org.uk