A New Academic Year, A New Chapter for LMF: Reflections from the LMF Team

September is a time of new beginnings. Across the UK, a new academic year is getting underway, and at London Music Fund we are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Scholars as they begin their LMF journeys this October. 

In many ways, an anniversary can be a new beginning too. As we enter the final months of our 15th anniversary year, we asked colleagues across LMF to reflect on what new beginnings mean to them, their hopes for the young musicians starting their journeys with us this October and their vision for the future of LMF. 

For Chris Stones, our new Chief Executive, one of the greatest privileges of leading LMF is "getting to meet and learn from the incredible young people in our community". Since 2011, thousands of young musicians have started their own journeys with LMF, going on to pursue a wide range of paths in music and beyond, "taking with them the confidence, friendships and experiences they have gained along the way". 

For Kate, Senior Programmes and Operations Manager, those former Scholars are now "the next generation of leaders, advocates and creators". As LMF looks ahead, she hopes we can continue to widen access to opportunities and nurture talent, while responding to a changing artistic and social landscape and supporting the partners who work tirelessly to create opportunities for young people. 

This year also brings a new chapter for our scholarship programmes. With the launch of our Intermediate Scholarship, LMF now has a fully connected pathway across our Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Scholarship Programmes, supporting young musicians from the earliest stages of learning through to pre-conservatoire level. As Sophie, Programmes Manager, reminds us, "the LMF Junior, Intermediate and Senior Scholarship Programmes only exist because of the remarkable young people at their core". 

For Sophie, one of the most rewarding parts of her role is seeing each Scholar's journey unfold, "from their first Awards Day to their Graduation Day four years later, and beyond". The new pathway reflects LMF's belief that "every young person's journey is different" and that growth happens when young people have the time, encouragement and opportunities to develop in their own way. Through our Youth Forum, young people are also helping to shape the future of LMF. 

For Beatrice, Development and Communications Officer, this is her first time welcoming a new cohort since joining LMF in November 2025. She particularly values LMF's understanding that "musical progress takes time" and that every young musician's journey is different. Looking to the next 15 years, she hopes LMF will continue to "hold dear everything it has done so well since 2011, while continuing to evolve and create opportunities for the next generation of musicians". 

As our Scholars begin this new academic year, the LMF team's advice is simple: be brave, stay curious and support one another. Sophie encourages our new Scholars to "make the most of every moment and believe in yourself", while Beatrice says, "Give yourself permission to make mistakes, stay curious and always see yourself as a learner." 

Chris encourages Scholars to make the most of the people around them: "The friendships, mentors and musical connections you build can be just as valuable as the skills you develop." Kate asks them to "be true to yourself and your ambitions and be open to exploring new opportunities", remembering that "music is constantly evolving, reminding us that there is always more to discover, learn and be inspired by". 

To all our new and returning Scholars, we are delighted to have you with us and look forward to following your progress over the year ahead.