Catriona covered

I could not agree more with Jackie Wood about the sad lack of media coverage on Edinburgh-born Catriona Morison’s success in winning the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2017 against very stiff competition (Letter 21 June).

Regrettably, this mirrors Jack Mcconnell’s omission, when First Minister, in ignoring Nicola Benedetti’s win as BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2004 until adverse comment forced him to phone his congratulations.

It is ironic, too, that it occurred in the same week as the beneficial effects were highlighted of greater selfconfidence, application to and progress in other subjects, and improved general behaviour among participating pupils in the Sistema-based classical music “Big Noise” projects in our otherwise relatively deprived areas (to which Benedetti devotes much of her time).

If John Swinney is serious about improving school standards across the board, he should be financing such projects throughout Scotland; they would ultimately pay for themselves. And let us hope Catriona goes on to emulate Nicola’s very deserved fame. JOHN BIRKETT, Horseleys Park St Andrews, Fife