About RUM
The Swedish Federation of Young Musicians (in Swedish: Riksförbundet Unga Musikanter - RUM) is an organization for young musicians, singers, dancers and actors. The federation has about 40 000 members in 400 associations and arrange a lot of music activities of different kinds for our members.
What does RUM do?
- RUM arrange courses, music-learning camps, seminars in
various areas
- RUM mediates contact between people or groups with music
interests, both abroad and in Sweden
- On a national level, RUM organizes
two national ensembles: a wind band and a string orchestra and we also
organize a national festival for young musicians - MusikRUM Västerås
- RUM offers members guidance in musical matters, organizational and
economic issues, and works to help and support the education and
development of individuals, ensembles, and societies.
- RUM also promotes the interests of young musicians towards the government and public authorities.
How are we organized?
Different types of ensembles, choirs, orchestras, dance groups, music student unions, or other associations with music and cultural attachments can be members in the federation.
Who is a member?
The main part of the members of RUM are in the ages 7-25 years, which is standard ages for governmental funding. However, RUM has members ranging from 1 through 91 years of age.
Our funding
RUM is partially funded by the Swedish government. RUM receives an annual contribution of about SEK 5.7 Million (~EUR 650,000 ~USD 890,000). This funding is used for the organizational infrastructure and support of local activities. The Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs is the governmental agency in charge of handing out these funds.
For more information go to Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs
The main objective of RUM
The main objective of RUM is to allow as many children as possible to experience the joy of performing music. We believe that children develop both social and esthetic abilities by joining together by music. We do so by creating inspiring and creative meetings in music.
Values of democracy
RUM is a democratic organization, where members are given the same rights and opportunities despite gender or political view. 61 % of the members are female. Inviting children to be a part of a democratically governed organization and educating them in how to operate a democracy is a very important part of our mission.
The structure of RUM is based on the democratic structure of Sweden.
The members elect a federation board on a national level, and district
boards on a regional level. The district and federation boards handle
issues concerning RUM based on the decisions made in national and
regional meetings, where all members may influence.
All members, no matter the age, are included in the
decision making process. However, by Swedish law, parents are allowed to
step in, in all matters concerning minors.
Our vision
To allow as many children as possible to experience the joy of playing music we want that
- all children are given opportunity to discover the joy of playing at an early age
- all children should have access to music education
- all children that choose to play music should enjoy all benefits from that both esthetically and socially
- all young musicians should want to preserve this interest throughout their entire lives, whether in a leisure activity or as professionals
What does it mean?
We believe that Swedish society should pursuit the following goals.
- Pre school and day care activities should provide education in playing instruments
- Primary education should provide all children the means to fulfill the goals for the subject of music
- Municipal music and cultural schools must retain a low cost and high quality music education
- There must be ample opportunity for children to pursue an interest in music on their leisure time
- Local amateur orchestras should have access to suitable facilities, able leaders and a constant inflow of new members
