Classical musician James Rhodes has headed up an open letter calling on the British government to do more for music education in schools.
In the letter, published via the Daily Telegraph, the pianist said that the authorities announced the National Plan for Music in 2011 to ensure all children have the opportunity to learn an instrument at school.
However, James said that the government is failing to deliver on its promise, citing research from the Royal Schools of Music as evidence. Their study revealed that 40 percent of British children from more disadvantaged backgrounds said they had no opportunity to learn an instrument at school.
In the letter, James wrote: ‘Music has proven benefits for children - building confidence, teamwork and discipline, and encouraging improvements in literacy and numeracy. But music can easily be undervalued in an already crowded curriculum - a situation worsened by the lack of attention paid to it in regular Ofsted inspections.
‘The government must fulfil its commitment and end the inequality of opportunity in school music.’
Richard Hallam, chair of the Music Education Council, Professor Colin Lawson, director of the Royal College of Music, and songwriter and pop star Sting are among the signatories on the letter.
James is leading Don’t Stop the Music, a campaign to help provide every school child with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.
Check out details of the campaign and read and sign the petition.
In the letter, published via the Daily Telegraph, the pianist said that the authorities announced the National Plan for Music in 2011 to ensure all children have the opportunity to learn an instrument at school.
However, James said that the government is failing to deliver on its promise, citing research from the Royal Schools of Music as evidence. Their study revealed that 40 percent of British children from more disadvantaged backgrounds said they had no opportunity to learn an instrument at school.
In the letter, James wrote: ‘Music has proven benefits for children - building confidence, teamwork and discipline, and encouraging improvements in literacy and numeracy. But music can easily be undervalued in an already crowded curriculum - a situation worsened by the lack of attention paid to it in regular Ofsted inspections.
‘The government must fulfil its commitment and end the inequality of opportunity in school music.’
Richard Hallam, chair of the Music Education Council, Professor Colin Lawson, director of the Royal College of Music, and songwriter and pop star Sting are among the signatories on the letter.
James is leading Don’t Stop the Music, a campaign to help provide every school child with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.
Check out details of the campaign and read and sign the petition.
