Cuts spark fears for singing festival

EDUCATION: Cut in specialists could end popular Day of Song

Budget cutbacks have created major concerns for the future of a hugely popular schools singing festival.

More than 2,000 children have taken part in the annual Day of Song at Perth Concert Hall.

Education chiefs say the celebration is beneficial for primary-age youngsters, giving them the chance to sing as part of a large choir and learn about different cultures.

But plans to shave £500,000 from Perth and Kinross Council’s education budget have placed the event under threat.

A council source said that proposals to dramatically reduce the amount of expressive arts specialists in schools will make the event impossible to stage.

Perth and Kinross Council said that budgeting for events like the Day of Song is discussed and approved annually.

A singing festival featuring more than 2,000 schoolchildren from across Perthshire could be facing the axe.

Yesterday, coachloads of primary pupils descended on Perth Concert Hall for an annual celebration of music and culture.

For many, it was a rare opportunity to visit the venue, sing as part of a huge choir and perform with a live band.

But it is feared the outing may become the latest victim of spending cuts.

Yesterday, Perth and Kinross moved to allay concerns about the future of the Day of Song event, insisting that it is one of a series of events “discussed and agreed on an annual basis” and centrally funded.

However, the local authority is also making savings of £500,000 by reducing the use of expressive arts (and PE) specialists in schools.

The move, which was voted in during budget talks in February, is aimed at bringing the council in line with other authorities and “allow schools greater flexibility to be responsive in delivering the curriculum in a way that suits each individual establishment”.

Although no formal announcement has been made on the future of the Day of Song, acouncil source said it wouldbe impossible to stage without outside help.

One dismayed mother-of-two said: “The children learn so much from events like these and they have so much fun taking part. It would be a terrific shame if we were to lose this event.”

Fiona Ballantine, the council’s principal teacher of expressive arts, said the festival was a great benefit to pupils but declinedto comment onits apparent threat.

The National Theatre of Scotland has warned local authorities about the dangers of cutting back on schools’ performing arts programme to save cash.

A council spokeswoman said: “The programme of events, and any necessary funding, is discussed and agreed on an annual basis based on the services priorities and available resource.”

It woulD BE A tErrifiC shAmE iF wE wErE to losE this EvEnt. CONCERNED MOTHER

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Oliver Patterson of Viewlands Primary is all smiles – but Day of Song’s future could be under threat.

Pictures: Steve MacDougall. At the festival yesterday are teacher Monica Harrison with Primary 7 pupils from St Ninians, from left, Ryan Angadia, Audrey Hutcheson, Carina Silverio and David Bacan.