21/11/2007
Music education received a massive boost today. Education Secretary Ed Balls announced a £332m investment in choirs, orchestras, performances, new instruments and free music lessons.
The cash injection is a victory for the Music Manifesto, showing that the government is responding to our recommendations on funding and resources.
Singer Jamelia and Singing Ambassador Howard Goodall joined Ed Balls and Schools Minister Andrew Adonis to mark the occasion at the Archbishop Sumner Primary School in Kennington, South London.
All four were entertained by the school's brass group before showing off their own vocal talents in a singing workshop, which included pupils from other primaries.
The Secretary of State told the children he wanted to see music in England transformed: "Every child from all backgrounds should have the chance to perform, play an instrument or sing and I want every school to become a musical school."
He acknowledged the key role played by the Music Manifesto in bringing about today's announcements, as well as the benefits to families when children get involved in music. "Every parent knows how much it means to their child to be involved in a school performance and the pride and inspiration it offers the whole family."
The government hopes that the funding and resources announced today will see at least half of all primary children continuing to learn an instrument beyond the early years.
Culture Secretary James Purnell welcomed the additional funding: "Learning about the arts is part of a good education. We want all children to have the chance to develop their creativity and today's announcement on music marks a step change in our ability to do so."
How the money will be spent:
- £82 million a year, for the next three years, of continued funding for local authorities to provide music education; to include free music tuition for every primary school child for a year and the funding of choirs, orchestras and other musical groups
- £40 million to buy brand new musical instruments
- £40million for the National Singing Programme's Sing Up initiative; providing a national song bank and training to put singing back into every primary classroom as well as promoting singing at home and in the wider community; £10m has already been allocated with the extra funds securing the programme for a further three years
- The funding of pilot projects based on the highly successful Venezuelan orchestral project, El Sistema, which featured in this year's Proms; targeted at deprived areas, the initiative aims to encourage young children to explore the benefits of music by playing in groups
- Work to build on the success of the Music Manifesto through government partnerships with a wide range of musicians to ensure all children get the chance to listen to, and take part in, live music. (England's eight symphony orchestras confirmed today, for example, that their plans to provide children with free orchestral performances are on target.)
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