To coincide with Shine Week, Ed Balls - Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families - has written a letter to all Headteachers announcing details of exciting plans for academic year 2009-2010.

A national year of celebrating music will commence in September 2009, encompassing unprecedented opportunities for children and young people across the country to participate in a range of music-related activities.

In the letter, the Secretary of State explains his plans and asks for your support in encouraging the children and young people at your school to participate in music-related activities during the forthcoming academic year.