Music Mark campaigns to raise awareness of climate crisis

As the climate crisis continues to escalate at an alarming rate, Music Mark – the UK association for music education – is providing tools and knowledge to help protect the Earth for future generations.

It is encouraging individuals and organisations within the sector to play their part, through accessing training, events and resources designed to reduce our carbon footprint and promote environmental sustainability.

The campaign comes after 2023 was declared the warmest year since records began, and one of 10 consecutive years with dangerously high temperatures, according to the United Nations.

Music Mark is a membership organisation, a subject association, and an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO). It advocates for excellent musical learning in and out of school, at a national level, and supports members, connecting them with the wider music education network across the UK.

As part of the campaign ‘This Is Not A Rehearsal’, Music Mark commissioned research into ‘where things stand’ in relation to music education and sustainability. It’s hoped that this research ‘will identify working practices and educational approaches that not only enhance environmental sustainability but also contribute to improved financial sustainability and perhaps even highlight innovative forms of creative practice.'

The campaign’s Steering Group includes Dan Somogyi (SoundStorm), Sharon Jagdev Powell (Leicestershire Music), Hannah Mears-Young (National Youth Folk Ensemble), Helen Mead (Portsmouth Music Hub), David Francis (Music Partnership North), Ruth Roberts (Kent Music), Pili Araujo Lopez (Dorset Music Hub), and Helen Cordina (Orchestras for All).

Music Mark is encouraging individuals and organisations to get involved by signing up to ‘This Is Not A Rehearsal’ and implementing sustainable practices. It says it’s 'at the beginning of its own sustainable journey' and hopes 'to inspire others to join them'.

For more information, visit musicmark.org.uk/this-is-not-a-rehearsal