Public Opinion: Letters to the Editor
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 in state schools. This is a significant deprivation factor, widening the gap between the state and independent sectors.
Raising the status of creative subjects and providing additional funding is of course pivotal. However, an excellent innovation is the significant support and investment of independent schools in the creative subjects in state schools, particularly in deprived areas. I know of one independent school setting up a music department in an academy. This development of an holistic education is crucial to education, employment and wellbeing.”
from Pauline Trapp, Somerset
“Sir, For state sector schools to turn their back on musical education is disheartening to say the least because the multiple benefits which musical education brings to any child is beyond dispute. The need to assist with financial cost of musical education for aspiring young musicians has long been recognised by the many grant-giving charities that exist in this country specifically for that purpose. These charities simply need to be approached and I would urge anyone with musical talent or aspiration to research what might be available in their area and submit an application for funding.”
from Sarah Richards, Wessex Young Musicians Trust
“Sir, The lack of classical music provision except in the private sector is echoed in the closure of so many music and instrumental shops. It is now well-nigh impossible to obtain printed music other than online, and it is difficult to buy instruments without visiting large cities. I used to enjoy browsing through books of printed music: it widened my knowledge of what was available for teaching as well as for learning new repertoire myself.”
from Fiona Wild, Gloucestershire
