Don’t let Covid stop the music in schools

Sir, – As representatives of youth music organisations in Perth and Kinross, we are very concerned about the impact of coronavirus on the future of instrumental music in schools.

Of course it is wonderful that schools have gone back, and that some instrumental music lessons are restarting.

We appreciate the hard work that has gone into making this possible.

However, currently no brass, woodwind, bagpipes or singing tuition is taking place in Perth and Kinross schools, even if a pupil is on their own in a music room.

This means 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 pupils learning at school, who can only have preprepared lessons and discussions with their tutors.

We understand the reason for this, but hope the rules for instrumental music will be revised as soon as it is deemed safe.

With live lessons restricted to certain instruments and the current absence of group playing opportunities, some pupils will inevitably lose their enthusiasm and give up.

Social distancing rules also mean no new pupils will be able to start for the foreseeable future.

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.

Economic necessity has meant a huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that pubs, gyms, nail bars and hairdressers can reopen.

For many children, music is an important aspect of their mental health and wellbeing, which deserves equal attention.

We are therefore calling upon the Scottish Government to support the full return of instrumental music tuition as soon as possible, and ensure local councils will be able to support services adequately at budget time.

The demise of instrumental music in schools would be an enormous loss. Susannah Rae, Perth Youth Orchestra Committee. Andrew Mitchell, Perth and Kinross Music Foundation,

Anne Hughes, Young Musicians’ Parents’ Association.