Outrage over planned increase in instrument tuition costs

Families of young musicians have criticised Perth and Kinross Council’s plan to increase tuition fees.

Councillors agreed during budget talks in February to raise costs of instrument lessons by 20% in August and 60% over the next three years.

In a joint letter to the local authority, members of the Perth and Kinross Music Foundation, the Young Musicians’ Parents Association and Perth Youth Orchestra say the increase will result in some pupils abandoning their lessons.

They wrote: “Such an unexpected increase in a utility bill at short notice would be deemed completely unacceptable, yet Perth and Kinross Council have seen fit to force this increase on unsuspecting families.”

It states lower-income families will be worst hit.

“Once the full 60% increase is applied, school lessons (where children are often taught in pairs or small groups) will cost almost as much as a private lesson,” the letter states. “This will almost certainly affect uptake amongst families who will struggle to pay.

“This could decimate the instrumental music service as, if they cannot sustain enough pupils, their entire existence is under threat and orchestras, bands, choirs, ensembles and music camps may be a thing of the past.”

A council spokesman said: “Perth and Kinross Council has no plans to reduce any aspect of the instrumental music service. Additional funding to support this service was provided in the local authority’s budget on a non-recurring basis. This money will be used to help extend the reach of the service further than at present.”