Last year, Trinity’s UK & Ireland team launched its Music Hubs and Services Affiliate Scheme. Since then, over 30 music education hubs and services, from all four corners of the UK, have signed up to the scheme so that they can take of advantage of the range of benefits it offers. In this blog, we will outline how the scheme works and hear from a couple of our members about how being part of the scheme has worked for them.
How does the Music Hubs and Services Affiliate Scheme work?
The affiliate scheme is open to any music hub or service in the UK and Ireland that enters students for Trinity College London music exams. There are a number of different ways this might be achieved. You might be an active:
or a combination of the four.
There are two tiers to the scheme so the more you are delivering with us, the more benefits that are available to you.
What are the criteria and benefits for Tier 1?
To qualify for Tier 1, you need to commit to offering at least one of the above qualifications and, for doing so, you will benefit from:
- shared data on exam entry trends in your geographical area
- discounts on Arts Award training, print books, eStore publications and bulk (5+) orders of paper certificates
- free digital copies of new exam repertoire books for your music library
- CPD, including free on-demand sessions and face-to-face options, and live session from our Standard menu of options
- the facility to generate income through book re-selling, exam fee commission, and more.
And for Tier 2?
For Tier 2, services need to commit to delivering two of the above qualifications (minimum numbers of candidates apply) and hosting a live Trinity CPD session within a 12-month period. The benefits to doing this are:
- more detailed data shared with you on the exams taking place in your geographical area
- enhanced commission on exam entry fees submitted through your centre
- greater discounts on Arts Award training
- up to four CPD sessions per year across our Standard, Premium and Bespoke offers
- the option to upgrade our free digital publications to print books with every syllabus release
What do members of the affiliate scheme say about it?
You’ve read what we have to say about the scheme, but what about its members? Elly Hughes from Bristol Beacon says the following:
Most people know Bristol Beacon as the venue in Bristol city centre formerly known as Colston Hall, but we’re also the base for the Music Hub. Prior to joining the Hubs and Services Affiliate Scheme, we were already a Trinity music exam centre and an Arts Award centre. Since we were already ticking some boxes for membership to benefit from the programme, we were keen to explore more.
In March 2024, Trinity collaborated with Music for Youth to hold the first inclusive youth festival ‘Together for Music’, an inclusive performance occasion for all young musicians of all abilities, at Beacon Hall. Our staff were lucky to have JJ Wheeler come to deliver training on Trinity’s ACMD and, following that event, Bristol Beacon decided to aim to be a validated ACMD centre.
With Bristol Beacon becoming a validated ACMD centre, we were able to apply for Tier 2 membership. Our teachers and tutors started to feel the benefits with the extensive on-demand CPD menu of training videos. Staff are able to access these training opportunities across all instrumental syllabuses and develop knowledge in learning and assessment in their own time.
Most importantly, we’ve benefited from live teacher training on topics which align with our areas of development and strategy. Attending our whole staff training days, Trinity representatives have presented sessions on Rock & Pop exams (from the ‘Standard menu’) but also, we requested a bespoke session on Differentiation in Group Teaching (from the ‘Premium menu’). This session had the highest attendance at our most recent CPD day and was very well received.
Benefits haven’t stopped there, as we recently received the full suite of eBooks of the new Violin Syllabus (Initial to Grade 8) completely free. Finally, the sharing of geographic exam entry data for within our Hub region has been of great benefit in report writing and will continue to shape Bristol Beacon’s placemaking strategy into 2026.
Sean Law from Hertfordshire Music Service writes:
As a lead organisation for a busy music education hub, we’re always looking for ways to improve access, reduce admin, and offer a more joined-up experience for the children, young people, and families we work with. The Trinity Music Hubs and Services Affiliate Scheme has helped us do just that.
The affiliate offer gives music services access to a range of practical benefits: early access to syllabus publications, discounts, and exam data insights across our hub area. For us, it’s not just about perks — it’s about being able to offer a more streamlined and integrated exam package through Hertfordshire Music Service (HMS).
Joining was simple: we completed the application form and signed the contract. The tiered structure includes expectations around exam entries and CPD engagement, but these were already part of our regular activity.
One of the biggest wins has been making the exam process easier for families. From application to payment, we’ve been able to simplify the admin and offer a more supportive experience. Parents now have direct contact with HMS throughout the exam journey, and we can offer extras like an accompanist as part of the package. It’s helped us ensure that students feel supported from start to finish.
For teaching colleagues, the affiliate model has saved time and reduced admin. Once we send out the dates and application link, there’s nothing more for them to monitor. That’s freed up headspace to focus on teaching. The CPD sessions included in our calendar have also helped staff better understand how Trinity’s exam offerings can support their work — particularly in tailoring progression routes for students.
The partnership has helped us standardise our exam offer across multiple regions and centres. It’s made it easier for customers to link their exam experience with the lesson, ensemble, and instrument hire services they already receive from HMS. We’ve seen steady growth in exam uptake, and more teachers are asking about the service — recognising how it supports their teaching and saves them time.
Would We Recommend It? Absolutely.
This has felt like a genuine partnership, not just a transactional arrangement. The benefits are meaningful and aligned with our goals as a service. If you’re a hub or music service considering the affiliate offer, we’d say go for it — it’s helped us deliver a more joined-up, accessible, and high-quality experience for our community.
What is involved in becoming a member?
For most services, they don’t need to do much – if anything – outside of their normal engagement with Trinity. But to find out more, the best place to start is with a chat with our Business Development Manager, JJ Wheeler. Click here to book your call!
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