Public opinion: more Letters to the Editor
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 to play musical instruments. There is now ample research evidence to show that musical performance improves academic outcomes in other subjects. It also encourages teamwork and self-confidence. It is particularly important, as the the emphasis in school education shifts towards Stem subjects, that this is complemented by a renewed focus on the creative arts, if we are to produce balanced and secure personalities.
Fortunately, the government in Scotland has taken the message from members of the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) involved in music education north of the border, which is promoting and helping to finance, free music performance tuition at both primary and secondary levels across all Scottish local authority schools.”
from Ian Mills, Chairman of MEPG Board
“Sir, The loss of instrumental teaching in state schools (“orchestra chief fears pits becoming too posh”, June 27) is a huge and growing problem, but there are small local initiatives trying to fill some of the glaring gaps. Deal Music and Arts, in east Kent, runs a year-round education programme alongside its annual festival (July 7-16) that provides instrumental teaching for primary schools int he area, a weekly music centre and regular concerts, as well as half-term and summer schools. Hundreds of children have benefitted from its music schemes, which are supported by Kent Music, grants and foundations and generous donors. Those children lucky enough to live in an area with such a scheme may find themselves auditioning for Dame katheryn McDowell’s world class London Symphony Orchestra in the future.”
from Willie Cooper & Peter Cook, Deal Music and Arts
