THE OCTAGON Music Hub (OMH) has launched a series of short surveys to gather views from the community and help shape the future of music education across Dorset and Somerset.

Based at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil, OMH delivers its services on behalf of both Dorset Council and Somerset Council through a consortium arrangement.

The hub is inviting responses from children and young people, parents and carers, schools, music educators and community organisations.

The surveys aim to identify what is working well in local music education, as well as areas where there may be gaps or barriers.

Feedback collected will directly inform the hub’s future priorities, partnerships and workforce development.

OMH hopes the initiative will give more young people across the region opportunities to develop their skills, confidence, and experience in music.

It also seeks to support Dorset’s thriving music industries by nurturing local talent from an early age.

Dorset Council cabinet portfolio lead for children’s services, education and skills Cllr Clare Sutton urged the community to take part in the surveys.

She said: “We have a thriving, brilliant music sector in Dorset and this is a great chance to shape the future of music education in the county.”

The surveys are designed to be quick and accessible, taking approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.

They are available now on the OMH website, providing an opportunity for a wide range of voices to help inform how music education develops in the region.

By encouraging input from children, educators, parents, and organisations, OMH aims to ensure its music programmes are inclusive, relevant, and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The hub will use the results to guide future planning and strengthen partnerships, helping more young people across Dorset and Somerset benefit from high-quality music education.