Plea to protect music tuition
Government says it should be free
The Scottish Government has urged Perth and Kinross Council to make music tuition free in schools.
It comes after representatives from three youth music organisations in the region called on the Scottish Government to allow music tuition to restart “as soon as possible”.
Susannah Rae of the Perth Youth Orchestra, Andrew Mitchell of the Perth and Kinross Music Foundation and Anne Hughes of the Young Musicians’ Parents’ Association said COVID-19 restrictions were putting the future of music tuition in jeopardy.
In response, the government said the science on wind and brass instruments was “still being developed”.
The trio fear that could widen the gap between children from more deprived backgrounds, and those from wealthier areas.
In a letter signed by all three, they say no brass, woodwind, bagpipes or singing can currently take place in Perth and Kinross schools because of COVID restrictions.
They said: “This means that there can be no live lessons, even online, during school time and of course no group playing.
“This has implications for pupils working for SQA music exams and will widen the gap between children having private lessons, which can happen online after school, and those learning at school who can only have pre-prepared lessons and discussions with their tutors.”
The letter also calls on the government to ensure “local councils will be able to support services adequately at budget time”.
The level of subsidy for instrumental music tuition has been under threat in the last few Perth and Kinross budgets and the letter states: “In February, councils will face difficult budgetary decisions. Instrumental music departments, through no fault of their own, will be bringing in less money for a reduced service with lower visibility, due to the cancellation of many local events.
“Cutting music will be all too easy for councillors facing difficult choices.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “Scientific and medical advice around how playing wind/brass instruments can be managed safely is still being developed.
“Decisions about the provision of instrumental music tuition are for local authorities to take in accordance with local circumstances, priorities and traditions. All local authorities should consider the education and skills committee’s recommendation that music tuition should be provided free of charge.
“We have taken exceptional measures in every area of government as we deal with the challenges of COVID-19 - and that is particularly clear in our support for local services.”
Perth and Kinross Council says it is “following the Scottish Government’s guidance” on wind/brass instruments and singing.
A spokesperson told the PA the council’s “charging structure and process remains unchanged”.
The spokesperson added: “We have planned a blended approach to delivery of music instruction in Perth and Kinross, involving a mixture of live distance learning facilitated through virtual technology and, where it can be done safely, face-to-face instruction following the appropriate risk management processes.
“We are currently following the Scottish Government’s guidance on wind instruments and singing. At the moment, the interaction between tutor and pupil does not involve live playing or singing but is focussed mainly on exercises for completion at home and where appropriate recorded for review by the tutor and pupil.
“If there is a change to the Scottish Government guidance, we are prepared and ready to adapt.
“The council has invested a great deal of time and expertise in equipping our tutors with the necessary skills to teach safely and maximise the use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are confident we can continue to deliver a high-quality experience for young people.”