Ed Sheeran is taking his love for music education to a new level, launching a foundation to ensure that children in the United Kingdom have access to high-quality music education.

This initiative is close to the singer-songwriter’s heart, as it stems from his own experiences with music in school and his desire to help others benefit from the same opportunities.

Why It Matters

The decline in arts funding has had a significant impact on music education, leaving many students without the resources or support needed to pursue their musical talents.

Sheeran’s foundation aims to fill this gap by providing children with access to instruments, lessons, and career opportunities in the music industry. Through this effort, Sheeran is not only advocating for music education but is also highlighting the importance of music teachers in shaping young minds. The initiative is an important step in recognizing the transformative power of music in education and society.

What To Know

To launch the initiative, Sheeran has been visiting schools and youth groups in various cities, including Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast. In his visit to a school in Wales, Sheeran, accompanied by his songwriting partner Amy Wadge, spoke to students about the value of pursuing a career in music.

While speaking to the students on Thursday, Sheeran said music should be treated as a legitimate career option.

“We’ve basically just come here today being like, We’ve done it. We both came from state school education and all that takes is you guys having confidence built in you by the teachers around you,” he said.

Connection to Wales

Sheeran, who has a personal connection to Wales, fondly recalls his teenage years visiting Wadge in Cardiff to work on his songs. This experience, he believes, was pivotal to his success.

So far, the Ed Sheeran Foundation has supported 18 grassroots music education organizations and state school music departments, benefiting around 12,000 children. The foundation’s goal is to provide greater access to music and advocate for music teachers’ roles in transforming young lives.

Mental Health Impact

In a Thursday Instagram post, Sheeran shared how music education impacted his own mental health growing up, stating, “It was incredible for my mental health as a kid, feeling a sense of purpose and achievement, even just learning piano or cello at a young age way before songwriting.”

What People Are Saying

Ed Sheeran: “I want kids to be able to learn instruments, learn production and songwriting, performing, and have apprenticeship schemes help them learn different skills to enter the industry.”

The initiative’s impact can be seen in the broader context of the U.K. music industry. In 2023, a report by UK Music revealed that 216,000 people were employed in the music industry. Sheeran highlighted this by noting that his tour alone employs 150 people, emphasizing the vast number of roles in the industry beyond performing artists.

What Happens Next

Sheeran’s foundation is expected to continue expanding its efforts to support music education and provide more opportunities for young people to enter the music industry. As the foundation grows, it will work towards broadening its reach and advocating for better funding and resources for music education in schools across the U.K.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press

Singer songwriter Ed Sheeran drinks from a cup while being encouraged by the fans during day six of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London, Dec. 20, 2024. So far the Ed Sheeran Foundation says it has supported 18 grassroots music education organizations or state school music departments, which will improve access to instruments and lessons for 12,000 children. AP Photo