More music

Your correspondent Maureen Morrison rightly identifies “the well documented social, educational, and psychological benefits” of music (Letters, 1 October). The latest cutbacks in the provision of specialist tuition in Edinburgh’s state schools only compound the growing disregard for the significance of music in a city which, at one time, was a beacon to the world thanks to the glory of its international festival.

Like Ms Morrison, I believe music should be the birthright of every child. Learning an instrument has so many benefits beyond the obvious, which includes not only the challenges and pleasures of playing each instrument solo and

with others, but also, learning the language of music, a universal language, also adds a dimension of peace and solace to one’s life – something we all need to learn and cultivate as a human in the world. Not to mention the healing elements that music can give to the musician playing, but also the listener. Music is beneficial for people’s wellbeing and mental health all round and is a wonderful way to bring people together.

The hostility which the present administration appears to have adopted towards music is evident above all in the scandal of the Royal High School. It is almost beyond belief that any council could contemplate making a deal with a hotel developer who wants to add modern blocks on to one of the city’s most important historic buildings, while throwing away the opportunity to re-invent Thomas Hamilton’s Calton Hill masterpiece as the worldclass centre of excellence we could have in a new St Mary’s Music school.

PHAMIE GOW Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh