Article Source: Tinderbox Collective
Last Updated: 10 January 2025 17:00
Edinburgh, UK – Global pop superstar and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wowed children and young people in the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh on Friday 10th January with a surprise visit to local music initiative, Tinderbox Collective. The secret visit formed part of the launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a new music education initiative setting out to support and develop young talent and make music accessible to all.
During his visit, Sheeran stunned a local youth club at Muirhouse Library, where he joined a group of young people trying out different instruments, and chatted to them about his journey, offering tips to aspiring musicians.
Maxwell from Craigroyston High School said:
“We were absolutely shocked. I’ve always admired Ed Sheeran and the way he sings and his music. I want to do music and now I feel even more motivated.”
A member of the Tinderbox Collective, Anno said:
“Unbelievable. I really like Ed and I listen to his music. Just to see him right now is amazing. Crazy. Inspiring.”
Muirhouse Library was the first of Scotland’s “We Make Music Instrument Libraries”
– an initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book. The initiative was established by Tinderbox Collective in partnership with Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group and has since spread to over 30 libraries in 12 local authorities across Scotland. The ambition to spread this as widely as possible across the country continues, and other libraries or library services interested in joining this programme and offering instruments as part of their service should get in touch.
Sheeran then joined a 100-piece choir at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre made up of pupils from Forthview Primary School, Craigroyston Primary School, Pirniehall Primary School, St David’s RC Primary School and Craigroyston High School, and performed Sheeran’s hit single ‘Bad Habits’ with young rappers, singers and musicians from Tinderbox’s wider music programme.
Rhian from Craigroyston High School said: “Singing with him is something we’ll always remember.”
“He came in and we all started screaming and there were happy tears.” added Lily from Pirniehall Primary School
The visit to Edinburgh marked the official launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, an initiative designed to support youth music education across the UK through grant-making, raising awareness, and fostering collaborations.
Speaking about the foundation, Sheeran said:
“Music education has shaped who i am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”
As one of the first organisations across the UK to benefit, the foundation will support Tinderbox’s “Live in Libraries” tour to help kickstart Instrument Libraries around the UK, as well as elements of its signature programmes including its multi-genre orchestra, music technology lab and youth music hub.
Tinderbox Collective is a local charity offering a vibrant and inclusive space for young musicians who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. From creative youth clubs filled with instruments, bands, song-writers and game design, to their flagship 20-piece Tinderbox Orchestra, their work builds a strong sense of community that has a profound impact on the lives of budding young artists.
Ed Sheeran’s visit underscores the importance of music education and the positive impact of making it accessible to all. In Scotland, a successful campaign to make instrumental tuition in schools free across the country was adopted by all parties in the last Scottish elections, and research from “What’s Going on Now” - a report on youth music in Scotland - has shown that over 100,000 more young people would take up opportunities to learn music if the service was expanded.
Sheeran added:
“It is so important to have brilliant music education both in and out of school. It’s great to hear that music tuition is now free in all schools in Scotland, but it is not reaching everyone and we need to do everything we can to make sure it is accessible and inspiring for all children and young people.”
Jack Nissan, Director of Tinderbox Collective, said:
“Ed’s visit was so inspiring for all the young musicians in Tinderbox and it’s fantastic to have him advocate for music education and help build links with the wider music industry. We need to work together across schools, the community and the industry to fill music education with as much energy, diversity and creativity as possible, and to make sure that it is accessible, relevant and inspiring for everyone.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convenor at the City of Edinburgh Council said:
“We are committed to nurturing and encouraging local music talent in our city. In Edinburgh around 5,000 pupils currently receive free instrumental music tuition, with over 19,000 receiving free whole class music through the Youth Music Initiative. There is always more that can be done to make learning an instrument and access to music education more inclusive. Programmes run by Tinderbox Collective open up musical opportunities for youngsters who may not otherwise have had the chance, bringing young people and the wider community together. It’s fantastic to see Ed’s commitment to using his platform to champion accessibility to music and I have no doubt that he will have inspired all those he has met in Edinburgh.”
Mae Murray from Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group said:
“It is amazing to have Ed Sheeran visit young people in Scotland and help advocate for music education here. In 2021 we won a campaign to make music tuition free in all Scottish schools, but we still don’t reach all of Scotland’s young people, and we need more investment both in school and in the community to ensure that music is accessible to everyone.”
Image credit: Mark Surridge
Following the success of its flagship female apprenticeship scheme in Glasgow, leading construction company GRAHAM is launching its ConstructHER programme in Edinburgh this autumn.
READ MOREBusiness Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORESt James Quarter, Edinburgh’s leading retail and lifestyle destination, has today announced a new 12-month charity partnership with Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity.
READ MOREFull casting has been announced for the UK tour of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s Inside No.9 Stage/Fright, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse in November.
READ MOREThe Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Irving Berlin’s Top Hat has announced the cast for the 2025 UK tour which opens at the Edinburgh Playhouse from 30th September 2025.
READ MOREVikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MOREFrom Masterclasses to Artist in Residence, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in September!
READ MOREEdinburgh Leisure’s Glenogle Swim Centre marks a major milestone this September, its quasquicentennial anniversary with a celebration event attended by the Lord Provost.
READ MOREThe winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MOREMarking 175 years since Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the National on 30 August 1850, the National Galleries of Scotland has shared its fascinating original building plans.
READ MORECineworld's Big Screen Weekend is here! Turning the last weekend of summer into the UK's biggest celebration of cinema, with all films, all formats – for just £4, including booking fee.
READ MOREOrganisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have announced indie-rock outfit Wet Leg as 2025’s Concert in the Gardens headliners.
READ MORERoyal Collection Trust is today announcing an artist residency for the upcoming major exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MOREConifox Adventure Park has announced the return of Edinburgh’s Ultimate Halloween Festival with the UK’s first-ever Laser Show over a Pumpkin Patch.
READ MOREThe Lammermuir Festival opens on Thursday 4th September in the beautiful, historic county of East Lothian, offering wonderful music played by some of the world’s finest musicians!
READ MOREThis September, step beneath the Royal Mile and into a world where history and folklore entwine, as The Real Mary King’s Close unveils its brand-new “Myths and Legends Tour”.
READ MOREBen & Jerry's will be selecting a lucky couple tying the knot this September to receive the ultimate Brookies & Cream Sundae tower for their wedding.
READ MORECOSMO Edinburgh has been crowned ‘Buffet Restaurant of the Year’ at the prestigious Food Awards Scotland 2025!
READ MOREThe one-month countdown is officially on for one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s hospitality calendar - the Edinburgh Bar Awards 2025, as the longlist of nominees is revealed.
READ MOREPeople across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet, Scotland’s largest designer outlet, is thrilled to announce that bold new culinary destination, Hamilton & Brown, will be arriving at the centre this autumn.
READ MOREMcLarens on the Corner has raised £600 for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, as part of its latest fundraising event.
READ MOREThe 2025 Edinburgh International Festival concluded yesterday after an extraordinary three-week celebration of opera, dance, music and theatre in Scotland’s capital.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Book Festival has wrapped up a landmark year, celebrating a two-week long ‘Repair’ themed programme of events for all ages and interests in it's new home.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival 2025 draws to a close and continues to scale up, building creative in-roads with filmmakers and industry.
READ MOREThe Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MORERESIDENTS living in an Edinburgh care home are throwing their weight behind three Scottish brothers as they close in on a world record-breaking row across the Pacific Ocean.
READ MOREThe Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of The Besties awards week three!
READ MOREEdinburgh-based international magician Kevin Quantum is offering cut-price tickets for a special performance in Granton of his hit Fringe show.
READ MORE