The success of musicians and songwriters acts as ‘a magnet’ for tourists and visitors to the UK, the House of Lords has heard.
Comments were made by Lord Black of Brentford in a short debate in the House of Lords on the value of music to the economy.
The BBC Proms, the Barbican Centre and bands such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were all used as examples of the UK’s ‘extraordinary musical offering’, which the Lord emphasised needs continued support.
He said: ‘The main point I want to make today is that great music-making by 50,000 performing musicians in the UK does not just happen by chance. There has to be a steady supply of new, well-trained entrants to the profession who can both perform and teach.’
Lord Black called for the British government to ensure that UK music teaching ‘remains as vibrant, energetic, imaginative and inspirational as ever’.
A spokesperson from PRS for Music said: ‘It is great to see a vital industry and British pillar being debated in the Lords. PRS for Music is one of only three major exporters of music and we know people from around the world want to visit this country and experience a great British institution first hand.
‘From Vaughan Williams to the Beatles and Adele our music pedigree stretches decades. It is something PRS for Music proudly celebrates with music heritage plaques around the UK and one that can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.’
Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor were the latest recipients of a PRS for Music heritage award. The pair collected an award on behalf of the band at an exclusive event in the Imperial College Students’ Union back in March. Watch a video of the two speaking at the event.
Baroness Northover concluded the debate in the Lords by saying that all contributors to the debate made the value of music to both the UK’s culture and tourist economy ‘extremely clear’.
UK Music’s 2011 report on music tourism, which was quoted during the debate, revealed that UK music festivals and concerts in 2009 attracted more than 7.7 million music tourists who spend more than £1.4bn.
The launch of the UK Music Skills Academy, part of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural, to improve access to music industry jobs was announced earlier this week.
Read the full story on the new institution.
Comments were made by Lord Black of Brentford in a short debate in the House of Lords on the value of music to the economy.
The BBC Proms, the Barbican Centre and bands such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were all used as examples of the UK’s ‘extraordinary musical offering’, which the Lord emphasised needs continued support.
He said: ‘The main point I want to make today is that great music-making by 50,000 performing musicians in the UK does not just happen by chance. There has to be a steady supply of new, well-trained entrants to the profession who can both perform and teach.’
Lord Black called for the British government to ensure that UK music teaching ‘remains as vibrant, energetic, imaginative and inspirational as ever’.
A spokesperson from PRS for Music said: ‘It is great to see a vital industry and British pillar being debated in the Lords. PRS for Music is one of only three major exporters of music and we know people from around the world want to visit this country and experience a great British institution first hand.
‘From Vaughan Williams to the Beatles and Adele our music pedigree stretches decades. It is something PRS for Music proudly celebrates with music heritage plaques around the UK and one that can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.’
Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor were the latest recipients of a PRS for Music heritage award. The pair collected an award on behalf of the band at an exclusive event in the Imperial College Students’ Union back in March. Watch a video of the two speaking at the event.
Baroness Northover concluded the debate in the Lords by saying that all contributors to the debate made the value of music to both the UK’s culture and tourist economy ‘extremely clear’.
UK Music’s 2011 report on music tourism, which was quoted during the debate, revealed that UK music festivals and concerts in 2009 attracted more than 7.7 million music tourists who spend more than £1.4bn.
The launch of the UK Music Skills Academy, part of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural, to improve access to music industry jobs was announced earlier this week.
Read the full story on the new institution.
