Key Takeaways
- Amazon and Amazon Music are expanding their partnership with charity Restore the Music UK (RTM) to bring music technology and instruments to 30 schools across the UK.
- Selected schools will receive complete music technology studios, including studio microphones, audio interfaces, DJ equipment, and recording software.
- The programme builds on a successful first year, which has already brought equipment to more than 30 schools since launching in 2025.
Amazon and Amazon Music are expanding its music education programme, putting professional-grade music technology into the hands of young people across the UK and helping to create new opportunities to learn, create, and engage with music.
Now in its second year, the Amazon x RTM Music Tech Award—run in partnership with charity Restore the Music UK (RTM)—will provide 30 schools across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle with complete music technology studios.
The initiative will expand access to professional-grade music technology, not just instruments, but a full creative toolkit that today's musicians, producers and sound engineer's use—helping to unlock futures in the fastest-growing segments of the music industry: podcasting, production, DJing, sound engineering and digital composition.
"Giving young people the chance to experience the transformative power of music, no matter where they live or the resources available at their school, is so important," said Laura Lukanz, Head of Music UK/ANZ at Amazon Music. "For too many young people, that chance simply doesn't exist. We want to change that.
"This year, we're expanding our partnership with the charity Restore the Music UK. Alongside musical instruments, we're bringing complete music technology studios into 30 schools across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle, giving young people access to the same professional-grade tools today's artists, producers, DJs, and creators use."
Building on a successful first year
Since launching in 2025 with the support of then Manchester Mayor, the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, the programme has brought state-of-the-art musical equipment to schools across the country, helping young people develop new skills and discover creative pathways in music.
One of those schools is the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), an Ofsted Outstanding sixth form partnered with Highgate School and Tottenham Hotspur FC. Students there are now producing DJ sets and original compositions, mentored by Komenz, sound engineer for Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy.
"Partnering with Amazon and Amazon Music on the Music Tech Award has enabled RTM to widen our reach and equip schools with much-needed, up-to-date equipment," said Polly Stepan, CEO of Restore the Music UK.
"Music education is not about sitting in a classroom—it's about hands-on music-making that is accessible, exciting, and stimulating. That's how we attract and engage the children most hard to reach and through music help them to unlock their potential."
Amazon also presented prizes for the winners of Restore The Music’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ awards, including a day at the Amazon Music recording studio and chosen instruments.
Addressing the gap in music education
The programme comes at a time when access to music education and school funding are firmly in the national spotlight, with figures across the UK music industry calling for greater investment and support.
By providing comprehensive music equipment to schools where it is needed most, Amazon Music and RTM aim to help address inequalities in access to music education, while investment from Amazon Music complements the Government’s Turn It Up campaign and its wider ambitions to strengthen music education and expand opportunities for more young people to engage with music.
Part of Amazon's wider commitment to music and creativity
The Amazon x RTM Music Tech Award forms part of a broader commitment to supporting creativity and emerging talent across the UK, alongside initiatives including the recently launched Amazon Regional Creatives Fund and programmes such as the Step Up Fund, +44 x NQ Stage at Beyond the Music, Amazon Music For Artists Master Classes and POWER UP.
Together, these initiatives provide funding, skills, opportunities and platforms to help emerging, underrepresented and underfunded artists and music creators develop their careers.
How to apply for funding
Eligible schools can apply for funding through Restore The Music UK, detailing their specific needs which ensures that every setup is bespoke. The equipment has been donated by Amazon, with support by leading music tech brands AlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ), Focusrite (Novation, Adam Audio), Sennheiser, InMusic (Akai, M-audio, Alesis, Denon, Numark) and PDT (RockJam, Eno), who share the vision in increasing music education access for students across the UK.
Equipment includes studio microphones, audio interfaces, professional headphones and monitors, recording & production software subscriptions, DJ equipment, controllers and inclusive instruments.
