A new music hub will help people from all backgrounds be “creative and expressive”.

The newly formed Waltham Forest Music Education Hub was launched this week at a welcome event, celebrating a new chapter for music education in the area.

It will focus on the distinct and diverse needs in Waltham Forest, to help develop the range of musical opportunities available for children and young people.

This comes as the borough was named ‘Borough of Culture 2019.’ Cllr Clare Coghill, Leader of Waltham Forest Council said: “I am delighted the new Hub will bring even more music opportunities to children and young people in Waltham Forest.

“From learning piano myself as a child, to enjoying pupils performing in schools and at events across the borough I have seen the tremendous confidence and joy music brings to young people and this is just one of the very many reasons why we were chosen as Borough of Culture 2019.”

It will create long-standing partnerships between the lead organisation, Waltham Forest Music Service (WFMS) and organisations such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning.

The scheme will foster new relationships with organisations such as Urban Development and Future DJs.

Children in Waltham Forest will have the opportunity to hear, work and perform with a range of professional musicians as well as other young people across East London and beyond, in a wide variety of settings.

Joint Head of Service Mary Mycroft said: “We are passionate about music’s role in our society and truly believe in the power musical experiences can have, enabling people from all backgrounds to be creative, to be expressive, and to develop into well rounded, well balanced individuals.”

Joint head of service Judith Glossop said: “The beginning of our journey as the hub is timely as we approach 2019, when Waltham Forest will become the first Borough of Culture.

“We are excited about the breadth of opportunities this will bring, further strengthening links with the Culture Team and raising the profile of music and culture in the borough."