The Welsh government has announced that it plans to treble its investment in music education over the next three years in a bid to create a “National Music Service”.
According to the government, its National Plan for Music Education, published today, will mean that every child will have the opportunity to benefit from music education.
It says it will also mean that access to music education is fairer and more consistent across Wales, with a particular focus on learners from low-income households and those with additional learning needs.
Jeremy Miles, the minister for education, has confirmed funding will be trebled, with £13.5 million being invested over the next three years.
The plan commits local authorities to ensuring that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds have “free use of an instrument or equipment to support tuition” and that “access to music tuition is not a barrier for learners from low-income households where parents and carers could not afford the tuition costs”.
It says a maximum charge for music tuition delivered during school hours should be agreed.
A Welsh government report published in 2020 - the Music Services Feasibility Study - found there was “very little consistency and coherence” in terms of the nature and cost of music education in Wales - and that charges to parents varied from zero to a maximum of £216 per term for tuition.
Heads of music services and headteachers, meanwhile, reported that the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals taking lessons was “considerably lower than the overall proportion of [free school meals] pupils” - although data on this was not routinely recorded.
The National Plan for Music Education includes a number of key work programmes such as:
- A review on music tutors’ terms and conditions, to ensure they are treated equitably and are recognised properly.
- A “first experiences” programme to offer children in primary schools a minimum of half a term of musical instrument taster sessions, delivered by trained and skilled music practitioners.
- A “making music with others” initiative, including opportunities for children and young people in secondary schools to gain industry experience through working alongside musicians and creative industries
- A new national instrument and equipment library to support access to a resource bank to be shared across Wales.
These programmes will be rolled out from September 2022, supporting schools and settings to give all children and young people, from the ages of 3 to 16, the opportunity to learn to play an instrument, as well as singing and making music.
The National Music Service will operate as “a hub”, with the Welsh Local Government Association coordinating the service’s programmes through a wide range of organisations. It is also hoped that the new national service will help schools and settings in their delivery of the Curriculum for Wales and provide wider opportunities for children and young people to experience music outside schools and settings.
First minister Mark Drakeford said that a lack of money should not be a barrier to any young person who wants to learn to play music.
He added: “We are fortunate in Wales to have a strong tradition of school, county and national ensembles, and we want to make sure that our children and young people are able to play a full part in these. This funding will support music services in schools and within the community to help nurture our young musical talent.”
Education and Welsh language minister Jeremy Miles said the opportunity to access music tuition and learn an instrument was “too often limited by cost and affordability”.
He added: “The development of the National Music Service will ensure that we nurture our next generation and continue to produce new talent and showcase Wales to the world.”
