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Young Boy Playing the Piano

PLAY IN ADVANCE

One child learns. Another gets the chance.

When four students join a Music Lab group class, we fund a full year of music lessons for a child who wouldn’t otherwise have access.

No donations.
No add-ons.


Just music education moving forward—together.

Music lessons that give forward — not later

At Music Lab, we believe access to music should never depend on circumstance.

Play In Advance is our commitment to make that belief practical.

For every four students who enrol in a Music Lab group class, we fund one full year of music lessons for a child who would otherwise not have access to structured music education.

Not a taster.
Not a short course.
A full year.

 

What “Play In Advance” means

Most charitable schemes work on donations after the fact.
We chose a different approach.

Play In Advance means:

  • Your child’s enrolment directly unlocks access for another child

  • The support is built into the system, not added as an optional extra

  • Impact happens immediately, not “when we get around to it”

Music education shouldn’t be a luxury.
It should be normal.
 

How the programme works

  1. You enrol your child in a Music Lab group class

  2. Every fourth enrolment triggers a funded place

  3. A child in need receives one full year of weekly music lessons

  4. Lessons are delivered through Music Lab, with the same standards, structure, and care

No additional cost.
No action required from you.
Just participation.
 

Who receives the funded lessons?

Funded places are allocated to children who:

  • Have limited access to paid extracurricular activities

  • Are identified through schools, community partners, and local organisations

  • Would benefit from consistent, structured creative education

These students are not separated or labelled.
They learn properly, with continuity and dignity.
 

Why we’re doing this

Access to music education in the UK is shrinking.
State provision is inconsistent.
Private tuition is out of reach for many families.

That gap doesn’t disappear on its own.

Music Lab exists to teach music well—but also to leave the ecosystem better than we found it.

Play In Advance is not a marketing add-on.
It’s part of how we operate.
 

Our personal pledge

This programme is personal.

Music changed my life.
It gave me discipline, identity, confidence, and direction.

I believe every child deserves that opportunity—regardless of background.

Play In Advance is how we turn that belief into action, week after week, student by student.

— João Figueiredo
Founder, Music Lab

What this means for your child

Your child:

  • Learns in a high-quality group environment

  • Develops confidence, teamwork, and musical skill

  • Becomes part of something bigger than their own lesson

They don’t just learn music.
They help make music education possible.
 

Transparency & accountability

  • Funded places are tracked internally

  • Lessons are delivered weekly for a full academic year

  • The programme runs continuously—there is no “end date”

This is a system, not a campaign.
 

Ready to enrol?

When you enrol your child in a Music Lab group class, you’re not just booking lessons.

You’re playing in advance for another child.

Would you like to apply for a free year of music education?

If you wisht to join the Play In Advance program as a beneficiary, fill out the form below and you will part of those who may receive a full year of music education for free.

Play In Advance - Applicant Form

Preferred Instrument
Guitar
Piano
Violin

Play In Advance – Beneficiary Terms & Conditions Eligibility Places are offered to children who would otherwise have limited access to paid music education. Eligibility is determined by Music Lab in collaboration with schools, community partners, or referral organisations. Acceptance onto the programme is at Music Lab’s discretion. What the programme provides One funded place includes weekly group music lessons for up to 12 months. Lessons follow Music Lab’s standard curriculum, safeguarding policies, and teaching standards. Instruments may be required; where possible, guidance or temporary solutions will be offered, but instruments are not guaranteed. Attendance & commitment Regular attendance is expected. Repeated non-attendance (typically 3 consecutive unexplained absences) may result in the funded place being withdrawn. If circumstances change, families must inform Music Lab as early as possible. Behaviour & conduct Students are expected to follow the same behaviour standards as all Music Lab students. Disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful behaviour may lead to suspension or removal from the programme. Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring punctuality and appropriate conduct. No cash alternative Funded lessons have no cash value and cannot be exchanged, transferred, or refunded. The funded place applies only to the named student. Programme continuity The programme runs on an ongoing basis but may be adjusted or paused if external circumstances require it (e.g. venue changes, safeguarding issues). Music Lab reserves the right to modify lesson times, teachers, or formats where necessary. Reviews & progression Progress will be monitored as with all students. Continuation beyond the funded year is not automatic but may be discussed if circumstances allow. Privacy & dignity Beneficiaries will not be publicly identified or labelled. Personal information is handled in line with Music Lab’s Privacy Policy and UK data protection laws. Safeguarding All safeguarding policies apply equally to funded and paying students. Any safeguarding concerns will be handled according to Music Lab’s safeguarding procedures. Right to withdraw Music Lab reserves the right to withdraw a funded place if these terms are not met. Wherever possible, this will be communicated clearly and respectfully.

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