Youth Music Initiative (YMI)
Inspiring music making, confidence and creativity across Glasgow
The Youth Music Initiative (YMI) is a city-wide programme delivered through Glasgow CREATE, providing children and young people with high-quality musical experiences throughout their learning journey.
Through specialist tuition, creative projects, professional learning and classroom resources, YMI helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop musical skills, express themselves creatively and experience the joy of making music. The programme also supports teachers to build confidence in delivering music as part of everyday learning.
🎶 Primary 1 Music
Building strong musical foundations from the very start
Every Primary 1 pupil in Glasgow takes part in a progressive music programme delivered through alternate-week sessions led by specialist YMI Tutors and class teachers throughout the academic year.
Children develop core musical skills including beat, rhythm and pitch through singing, body percussion, movement and classroom percussion instruments. They are also introduced to simple music notation, helping them build confidence as young musicians.
The programme is designed to support wider learning as well as musical development. Research shows that music can have a positive impact on language, literacy and communication skills. Through singing games, rhymes and listening activities, children develop phonological awareness, auditory discrimination and sound-symbol recognition – key skills that support early reading and learning.
Class teachers are actively involved in the programme, helping to reinforce learning and ensure that music continues to be part of everyday classroom experiences. Additional resources are available through the CREATE Framework for Expressive Arts to support ongoing progression.
“I have seen such a dramatic development in the musical skills and understanding of the children.”
Class Teacher
“The sessions have supported language development through rhyme and song lyrics. It has been particularly beneficial for our EAL learners and children with ASN – helping them engage through repetition, rhythm and non-verbal expression.”
Class Teacher
The Primary 1 Music and Phonological Awareness Case Study provides an insight into this innovative approach.
🌟 ASN Music
Creative and inclusive music-making
Specialist music tutors work with pupils in ASN primary schools across Glasgow, delivering weekly sessions over two terms.
Activities are carefully tailored to support engagement, communication, creativity and enjoyment through music, ensuring that all learners can participate and experience success. Alongside classroom delivery, staff have access to targeted professional learning and online resources to help embed music throughout the school community.
“The children seemed proud to share what they’d learned, and it was lovely to see them so engaged when singing, learning about stick notation, call and response, and keeping the beat.”
Class Teacher
“The families were really positive and involved too; you could see they appreciated being welcomed into the learning environment.”
Class Teacher
Access our Musical Resources for ASN Primary Schools on the CREATE YouTube channel.
🎻 Primary 7 Celtic Connections Project
Celebrating Scotland’s musical heritage
Delivered in partnership with Celtic Connections, this project gives every Primary 7 class the opportunity to work with professional musicians and explore the rich traditions of Scottish music.
Through a series of interactive workshops, pupils discover traditional instruments, learn new musical skills and gain first-hand experience of Scotland’s vibrant cultural heritage. The project also supports transition to Secondary and helps strengthen pathways into the Instrumental Music Service.
“The children became more confident throughout the sessions and it was good for them to experience a genre of music they perhaps hadn’t encountered before.”
Class Teacher
“We felt these classes were very worthwhile, encouraging the children to listen and follow instructions and helping build an internal rhythm. The lessons were engaging and challenged the children a lot.”
Class Teacher
The project video showcases the range of workshops on offer and the high levels of engagement from children: CREATE / Celtic Connections Project
🎤 Ready Steady Sing
Bringing schools together through song
Ready Steady Sing provides exciting opportunities for children across Glasgow to take part in large-scale singing experiences that are inclusive, interactive and fun.
These sessions encourage confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging while allowing children to experience the enjoyment of singing together as part of a wider community.
“The wonderful tutors were so engaging and had such a positive presence, which ultimately led to a highly engaged and motivated session with our pupils.”
Class Teacher
“The songs chosen were brilliant as they had few words to learn and lots of repetition, meaning all pupils could participate regardless of need.”
Class Teacher
See it in action here: Ready Steady Sing!
🎼 City-wide Music Project
One city, one song
Each year, pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7 come together through a shared musical project.
This year’s featured song is Alive by Skipinnish. Schools are supported with tutor-created videos, backing tracks and differentiated resources, including Makaton and Gaelic materials, ensuring that every child can participate and achieve success.
The project provides a shared musical experience for schools across Glasgow, bringing children together through a common repertoire and celebrating music-making on a city-wide scale. Access the teaching resources and watch the final city-wide film here: ALIVE / Tha Thu Beò
📚 Professional Learning and Resources
Supporting teachers to deliver high-quality music experiences
YMI provides a wide range of Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) opportunities for teachers in Glasgow from Early Level through to Second Level.
Whether you’re new to teaching music or leading a school choir or ensemble, our training and resources are designed to build confidence, develop skills and support high-quality music-making across your school.
📩 Find Out More
For more information about the Youth Music Initiative, please contact:
Ailsa Ansell
gw16ansellailsa@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk
Supporting creativity, confidence and musical progression for every child across Glasgow.
