A NEW project aimed at giving young people more opportunities to make music has received £850,000 from the Arts Council.

The Music Hub is a project of Bournemouth and Poole councils’ music education agency Soundstorm, which says it could change the way music education is delivered to young people.

The aim is to make sure everyone aged five to 18 has the opportunity to sing and learn a musical instrument, progress to the next level and play with others.

There will be improved training and resources as well as more opportunities for young people to rehearse and perform across musical genres.

Another £160,000 has been awarded to the project by Youth Music, the largest national music education charity, to help develop music projects with disadvantaged young people.

SoundStorm music education co-ordinator Dan Somogyi said: “I’m delighted by the possibilities the new hub opens up.”

He added: “These grants will secure the future of music education until 2015.”

Anne Newton, director of children’s services at the Borough of Poole, said: “This funding will provide marvellous opportunities.”