CAMPAIGNERS have warned that music tuition face in Scotland faces “death by a thousand cuts” amid claims the discipline is being chronically undermined by reduced budgets.
And they have warned that a new government scheme to introduce pupils to playing an instrument is “no substitute” for proper tuition.
Under the Scottish Government’s £1.6 million Youth Music Initiative (YMI) thousands of primary and secondary pupils are given the opportunity to try out instruments – particularly those that would not normally have the chance to participate.
However, the Instrumental Music Teachers’ Network, run by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union, said the initiative gave little more than a “brief taster”.
READ MORE: Current situation is "potentially devastating" for the future of music in Scotland.
In a letter to The Herald, Kirk Richardson, convener of the network, said: “Recent coverage of cuts to local authority music services has been helpful in highlighting the huge risk that erosion of these services will lead to their extinction – essentially, death by a thousand cuts.
“We note that the Scottish Government recently announced new funding for the Youth Music Initiative. This initiative is no substitute for properly resourced local authority music services. It generally offers a brief taster in one instrument.
“If a child shows interest and ability, there must be an appropriately resourced instrumental music service to enable the pupil to continue developing their talent.”
Mr Richardson said musical orchestras currently available in Scottish education were being placed at risk by “austerity budgets”.
He added: “We find it hard to reconcile apparent concern about limitations on children’s opportunities with sustained under-valuing of music teaching in Scotland."
READ MORE: State school music tuition facing ‘extinction’ after council cutbacks
Earlier this month, The Herald highlighted concerns that music tuition was facing “extinction” in the face of council cuts.
Local authorities across the country are considering fresh proposals to cut the number of specialist music teachers and charge families more for lessons. There are nearly 350 fewer music instructors now than in 2007 – down from 1043 to 701.
Eleven local authorities across Scotland increased their music tuition rates for the academic year 2017/18.
READ MORE: West Lothian Council plans to cut instrument tuition
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Local authorities are directly responsible for spending on music tuition in schools, but the Scottish Government will continue to play an active role in this area.
“That is why we are investing in the Youth Music Initiative, which engaged with 244,000 young people last year who might otherwise have limited opportunities to become involved in music making.
“The Scottish Government also provides significant levels of funding for Sistema Scotland, a charity which gives 2,000 children every week the chance to get involved in their renowned “Big Noise” orchestra.”
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