Just an article I chanced upon about 5 minutes ago - the different reactions posted are just as interesting as the report. Thought some people might find it interesting

http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/co...,1928487,00.htm

Something I try to persuade people all along really..........

Link didn't come up with the article

Oh. Sorry! I'm rubbish at things like this let me try again.......

http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/co...1928487,00.html

Any better?

Yes, it worked, thanks

Fantastic article

That works

A very good article - and yes, the different reactions are as interesting as the article! I felt sad for the writer who was in school in the fifties/sixties who obviously feels she is too old to learn an instrument now. She should read these forums!

Cyrilla, have you read the article yet?

Don't get Cyrilla started on this!! (just kidding)

My dad found this article a few days ago and thought I would be interested. Can anyone speak truer words? You don't have to look very far to see those in school with an interest in music are high academic achievers as well. There are countless other pay-offs I can't think of them all right now. Compare them to those with main interests in sport (football, and so and so) it's more hit and miss, at best. I remember when they were threatning to cut all this tuition in the late 90s and the whole music department were up in arms, and told everyone to write to councilers in support. We won, just.

Music is such a wonderful, life enriching experience it should be offered to everyone. Not only that, it needs delivered in a way that so many don't give up so easily.

I think that's trying to simplify things too much. Our eldest son (13) plays in the local football team, is good at cricket and just won the school's 100 metres race, yet he's studying trumpet and guitar and plays in the school orchestra and Big Band.

Our youngest divides his time between basketball, tennis, piano and er...Cartoon Network!

The Greeks had the best idea. Education should be an equal mix of science, arts and sports.

Our society hasn't advanced much from 500BC has it!

Steve

PS Though we do have tv remote controls now!

I felt sad for the writer who was in school in the fifties/sixties who obviously feels she is too old to learn an instrument now. She should read these forums
YES! I found myself looking for the pm button ...

Not always, I'm very talented at music on several instruments (sorry if that sounds big-headed!), but by no standard could I be described as a high academic achiever! In general I do agree with you though Neil.

Anything that broardens the School Corriculum has to be good providing it is properly funded and supported.

I've always sung the praises of our Music Service, however given that some people on the Forum don't have access to the same opportunities, as my girls do, perhaps they need to be encouraged to offer more. I do agree with a centralised service rather than schools being in charge of their own budget as it's too easy for the money to be slid sideways (used to fund the leavers production and not to benefit everyone?).

I know our music service is working hard to loan instruments and provide teaching opportunities to Primary School children. It also has various out of school bands and ensembles that can be attended. Yes it could do more but I don't doubt they do the best they can on their budget.

"In the heyday of local authority music, the Sixties and Seventies"

Thinking back to the early 70s our School Music Service loaned out instruments - I would have liked a harp but there was only one and someone had that, or a flute but they were all out, or a violin but they were all out - so I was given a very large and heavy viola and I was a very small and delicate child. I don't recall there being any choice - only in the take it or leave it sense. I hope that system has gone for good.

Thanks for the link, Kate. What a brilliant article! In a way it sums up what everyone on the Forums has been saying for ages. The fact that few school chldren will end up pursuing a career in music, whether as a teacher, soloist, orchestral player or in a rock/pop band, is beside the point. The process of learning an instrument is in itself every bit as valuable as literacy and numeracy and a life wthout music would be a severely impoverished one. Every student at every school should be given the opportunity to learn to play, regardless of where they live or how much their parents earn. If any government were to be brave enough to introduce musical tuition for all they'd certainly earn my vote.

Yes me too. Think I might post a message, though the original poster is not likely to read it now.

*goes to post*

Done!

I sent an email myself first thing this morning via the Guardian link. I asked the Guardian to send on my message to the writer, asking him/her to get in touch so that I could put them in touch with this forum for support. Haven't had any response though, either from the Guardian or the writer ....

... but maybe if we all write in ...

Maybe the writer means it's too late to learn through the school system, which it quite clearly is! Then again, if they find a private teacher who they can afford to pay then no reason at all not to start.

Exactly! But a lot of people don't realise that

You sound a bit like me. I wanted to learn the piano and the oboe. At primary school there were only violins (and recorders but these were not taken seriously). At secondary school there was one oboe which was lent to the deputy head's daughter - I was offered a flute instead and like you it was take it or leave it.

That said I did learn to read music at school in recorder lessons when I was six and violin lessons did enable me to play in orchestras which I enjoyed.

I was luckier. I decided I wanted to learn the bassoon and I was duly supplied with a Strathclyde Regional Council bassoon. My instrumental tuition at the RSAMD was partially subsidised by the council.

I do remember being put under tremendous pressure to give up music in favour of more employable subject. For me the seventies and eighties weren't really an era in which I could freely devote myself to music. I ended up doing English at university which was ok but in retrospect I cannot see why literary knowledge is less valid than musical knowledge.

I guess what I am building up to say is that I think that music is an academic subject in its own right. The Warnock article goes some way to validate this argument but, to judge by some of the comments, it hasn't totally convinced those sceptics who believe no money should be spent on music until the basics ie literacy and numeracy are got right.

I think music training displays that you have more than just academic knowledge. Think of all the practice you have to put in - that's dedication. Creativity, teamwork, ability to take on board criticism, and an appreciation that some things are subjective! Music, as well as being enjoyable, brings more than just being able to play a nice tune. I do think it is a shame that it isn't accessible to all, as I fully believe that all children have some aptitude for music and that nobody should be deprived. However, National curriculum music often leaves a lot to be desired, especially as some teachers are intent on everybody reading music, which in effect is science compared to music itself. I think had I not been lucky enough to recieve extra-curricular music tuition when I was at primary school, I wouldn't be interested - especially after year 7-9 music lessons left me feeling worse! I used to take it really personally that the rest of the class just weren't interested. What I mean is that everybody should have the opportunity at a young age to experience music.

Rant over - a bit of an epic, that one- just thought I should add my point of view after it was me who started the topic!

I regularly interview recent or about-to-be graduates applying for positions in a large global organisation that has nothing to do with music. At the age of 21/22 there's often not a lot on the CV except a list of academic results which are always impressive if the candidate has got to the interview stage, finding indicators of potential to develop the sort of qualities I'm looking for can be difficult. If I see music listed in the "Other Interests" section of the CV I make a point of asking about it - it gives the candidate a chance to show passion / dedication to something, an opportunity to talk about teamwork etc and if the candidate handles it well gives me the opportunity to tick several boxes that will send them through to the next stage of the recruitment procedure.

A tip for those of you going through interviews etc at the moment - the interviewer usually wants you to do well, they're actively looking for reasons to put you through, not trying to catch you out.