Sir Antonio Pappano, chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, has called for more funding for music in schools. He said the country would lose its world-class reputation for classical music without more funding to encourage children to get involved. Sir Antonion was the conductor for the coronation and he…
Errollyn Wallen, MBE & CBE, is the first black woman to receive the prestigious Ivor Novello award for classical music, and the first to have her work featured in The Proms. She initially trained as a dancer, has appeared on Top of The Pops as a session musician, composed over…
Last week professional musician Shannon Harris donated a drum kit to North Kidlington Primary School. Shannon is a music producer, keyboard player and songwriter. He works with Jack Savoretti, Amy MacDonald, the RPJ Band, Lilly Allen and the American band Wheatus. The summer months usually mean he’s away on tour,…
The Times newspaper receives many letters to the editor about the decline of music lessons in state schools, here are two more: “Sir, In your leading article “Sliding Down the Scales” you rightly criticise the fact that state schools in England are dropping the option for pupils to learn…
A perfect storm has hit British classical musicians. Shake up the quangos, put music back into schools – and let’s sing up for opera The Problem – it’s pointless for Arts Council England (ACE) to impose nannying “diversity” requirements on the music organisations it funds when our education system…
The Times newspaper receives many letters to the editor about the decline of music lessons in state schools, here’s a selection: “Sir, As a retired assistant head teacher in a large state comprehensive academy, I welcome your leading article (“Sliding Down the Scales”) on the decline of music teaching…
State schools are dropping music lessons, depriving children of a lifetime’s pleasure A pipeline of talent that for years has streamed from recorders in primary school, through choirs and youth orchestras and into the worlds concert halls, is in danger of drying up. More and more state schools are dropping…
“Dame Katherine McDowell is spot on. The Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra says that state school children are increasing being deprived of a classical music education and the chance to learn an instrument. Classical music must not be the preserve of the rich. There should be a proper…
Children perform better at maths when music is a key part of their lessons, an analysis of decades of research on the topic has revealed. It combed through 55 studies around the world, involving almost 78,000 participants from nursery children to university students. The research, lead by Dr Ayca Akin…
Kier Starmer was a talented teenage flautist and could become our most musical Prime Minister since Edward Heath. He tells The Times why he’d have Beethoven in his cabinet. He doesn’t play [the flute] any more – there are too many other things in his life. When Starmer listens to…
