Classical pianist James Rhodes is to present a new Channel 4 series aimed at encouraging more young people to play musical instruments.
The Great Instrument Amnesty will see the musician lead a three-part series where he attempts to redistribute the UK’s ‘musical wealth’, beginning at a Basildon school.
The primary school was put into ‘special measures’ during the last OFSTED inspection but James aims to encourage students to pick up instruments by calling on people to donate their unwanted instruments and inviting established musicians to offer their support and enthusiasm.
James said: ‘Within the space of a generation, music education in this country has been decimated. Where once it was inclusive, widespread and available, it is now, sadly, seen as a luxury rather than a basic right. I am so thrilled to be working with Channel 4 to address this.
‘Music has an undeniable, proven positive impact on self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, numeracy, behavioural problems and confidence. The fact that it has all but disappeared from the majority of our state schools is as shocking as it is appalling.’
In the course of his research, James encounters one school where the music budget is £2.20 per child per year. He also discovers that music provision is simply missing from the list of criteria by which OFSTED inspectors judge a school’s performance.
The new series is to be made by Jamie Oliver's television production company Fresh One and is expected to be broadcast during the autumn.
The Great Instrument Amnesty will see the musician lead a three-part series where he attempts to redistribute the UK’s ‘musical wealth’, beginning at a Basildon school.
The primary school was put into ‘special measures’ during the last OFSTED inspection but James aims to encourage students to pick up instruments by calling on people to donate their unwanted instruments and inviting established musicians to offer their support and enthusiasm.
James said: ‘Within the space of a generation, music education in this country has been decimated. Where once it was inclusive, widespread and available, it is now, sadly, seen as a luxury rather than a basic right. I am so thrilled to be working with Channel 4 to address this.
‘Music has an undeniable, proven positive impact on self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, numeracy, behavioural problems and confidence. The fact that it has all but disappeared from the majority of our state schools is as shocking as it is appalling.’
In the course of his research, James encounters one school where the music budget is £2.20 per child per year. He also discovers that music provision is simply missing from the list of criteria by which OFSTED inspectors judge a school’s performance.
The new series is to be made by Jamie Oliver's television production company Fresh One and is expected to be broadcast during the autumn.
