What’s wrong with music in the UK – and how to fix it
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 guarantees that most people leave school without having had tier musical talents nurtured in any way. In state schools a tiny minority of pupils now study music to GCSE level, and the music hubs (regional centres that supposedly give all children the chance to play instruments) are so short of money that they are hiking up their fees, thus making music tuition even more unaffordable for many families.
In such circumstances it will inevitably be privately educated students who excel in youth orchestras and choirs, conservatoires and the music profession itself. So the notion that classical music is overwhelmingly for white, middle-class performers and audiences becomes true by default.
The Solution – it’s not primarily about more funding. A complete change in attitude would go a long way towards improving music education for everyone. Stop treating music as a dispensable extra in state schools. Acknowledge its positive impact on how students perform in many different academic subjects, as well as how it improves discipline, concentration, social confidence, communication skills and mental wellbeing. And ensure Ofsted includes a rigorous assessment of a school;s music teaching in its inspections.
Excerpt taken from an article by Richard Morrison
Published by The Times, 4 April 2024
