25 organisations call for funding for music education
As the government’s consultation on the Comprehensive Spending Review ends, a joint letter led by the ISM, MTA and Music Mark has called for sustained funding that delivers a world class music education system. Delivered to the Education Secretary, it has been supported by more than 25 organisations and focuses on:
- music education beyond the curriculum – the instrumental and vocal work developed and delivered by the music education hub partnerships across England.
- the work of our national youth music organisations, the Music and Dance Scheme and the In Harmony programmes.
Young people deserve access to a world class music education, sustained over a period of time to enable them to progress and flourish.
The joint letter and list of signatories can be seen here or for more information, please contact [email protected]
Commenting on the joint letter, the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, said:
‘It is vital that every child can access a quality music education. To do this there needs to be sustained and meaningful government funding. We call on the government therefore to support these music programmes, which in many cases have played an important part in the levelling up agenda. Some of them have become embedded in their communities, giving opportunities to some of the most deprived children in the country.
‘Without continued and appropriate levels of funding, we risk damaging our children’s music education and putting at risk the jobs of many extraordinarily committed teachers, who have worked so hard to provide access to music during these difficult times. The benefits of music for tackling anxiety, stress and depression are well documented, so now more than ever it is crucial that mental health problems and existing inequalities are not exacerbated through a lack of funding.’
Commenting on the joint letter, CEO of Music Mark, Bridget Whyte said:
‘If we are to truly ensure that there is equitable access to musical learning, the aspiration of the current National Plan for Music Education, then those providing the inspiring, enriching and diverse range of opportunities to learn, compose, make and enjoy music need to be given the financial support to do so. This is about ensuring that every child can access and progress to the level they wish – whether that’s learning an instrument with a view to going into the music profession, writing songs as a way to express themselves or exploring their identity and the wider world through music. We cannot lose this opportunity to ensure that all children and young people, regardless of circumstances, have the music education they want and deserve, and without significant investment now and into the future we might!’
About the letter
The joint letter and list of signatories can be seen here.
Music education hubs are receiving a proportion of a total grant this year (2020 – 2021) of £76.1m and this figure is the same as the previous year (2019 – 2020). Before that, it was approximately £75m for three years and previously it had been even less.
Prior to the creation of the hubs, the Music Education Grant given to music services was approximately £82m. That means music education is still receiving the same level of support as in 2011 – 2012, at which time local authority funding was more widespread as well.
Further information
- The #CanDoMusic campaign was launched last month to protect music in schools.
- In July, Over 400 music education professionals wrote a joint letter calling on the government to support music education in all schools.
About the ISM
The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK’s professional body for musicians and a nationally-recognised subject association for music. Since 1882, we have been dedicated to promoting the importance of music and protecting the rights of those working in the music profession.
We support over 10,000 music professionals across the UK and Ireland with our unrivalled legal advice and representation, comprehensive insurance and specialist services. Our members come from all areas of the music profession and from a wide variety of genres and musical backgrounds.
We campaign tirelessly in support of musicians’ rights, music education and the profession as a whole. We are a financially independent not-for-profit organisation with no political affiliation. This independence allows us the freedom to campaign on any issue affecting musicians.
About Music Mark
The UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark a membership organisation and Subject Association for all those who support its vision of excellent musical learning in and out of school for all children and young people in the UK which inspires and enriches their lives. We aim to support our members through training and resources, help to connect them with colleagues across the UK through newsletters and events, and influence on their behalf at a national level.