Tune In - Year of Music is a new national project from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, aiming to encourage children and young people across England (from birth to nineteen) to take part in more music-related activities.

The year begins in September 2009 and will run throughout the academic year 2009/10.

This year-long commitment will help deliver on a vital element of The Children's Plan - the cultural offer. The Department for Children, Schools and Families has made a commitment to invest £330m between 2008 and 2011 to improve music opportunities for more children.

Taking part in music, whether singing, playing an instrument, writing lyrics, dancing or working behind the scenes can inspire creativity, improve concentration skills, encourage motivation, determination and build social skills, life skills, and confidence.

The goal of Tune In - Year of Music is to spread the message that music should be an important factor in children and young people's lives, because participating in music-related activities can have positive impacts on a child or young person's development and personal fulfilment. On top of these benefits, it's fun.

England has a vibrant, world-renowned music industry, and a rich musical history. The Department for Children, Schools and Families aims to ensure that during this academic year, all children and young people in England have access to a mix of music-related opportunities, both in and out of school. From learning a musical instrument, to singing, to DJ-ing, to dancing, to composing, to producing, to enjoying a performance; there are countless ways to experience music.

As well as throwing music open to every child and young person in England, Tune In - Year of Music aims to celebrate the musical excellence shown by many English children and young people by supporting and inspiring the very talented to continue improving.

There are a wealth of organisations working to provide an exciting array of opportunities for children and young people to connect with music in all its forms. Tune In - Year of Music aims to encourage the music sector, and children and young people's culture sector, to unite around the Year of Music, maximising existing planned activity/campaigns and developing new activities in partnership.

A diverse mix of events and activities will be aggregated into an online calendar that children, young people, parents and carers can use to keep tabs on what's happening in their area. Join In >

Tune In - Year of Music is about encouraging and supporting interest and participation in experiences that could enhance a child or young person's life, both now and in the future.