ohttps://www.economist.com/britain/2018/03/01/the-quiet-decline-of-music-in-british-schools
"The quiet decline of music in British schools" - that is the headline of the article found on The Economist's website. Stories like this frustrate me immensely, and I know I am not alone in this. I understand that Music as a subject, even as a hobby, is not for everyone - but for some children it is as important as Maths and Science. The larger percentage of people I know – through this route I have been lucky enough to take - have had their futures shaped by the music lessons provided by schools during their formative years - be that within the curriculum or through peripatetic lessons. Not everyone goes on to make a career out of it, but so many children benefit from the subject in terms of experience. Those of you who were lucky enough to perform at The Royal Albert Hall as part of The Raven King when we were 8/9 are prime examples of this. When I think of the number of my Dad's students I have as friends on here, and the greater number more who were involved in his music department and the wonderful shows that were staged; the choirs and the orchestras, the idea that a generation of children will miss out on these experiences makes me angry. For myself, I don't know what I would have done had I not had the sanctuary of our dear (almost inherited) Music Room whilst at Heolddu - not just for the lessons taught by teachers, but what we taught ourselves; collaboration, rehearsal technique, how to share... (which admittedly didn't always go too well when it came to the beloved grand piano…). For all of us who spent our break and lunch times in that room, we had a friendship group based on common understanding and a genuine passion for music, and I cannot imagine my school experience without that. Honestly, not only was the music room a place where we could share and develop our skills as musicians, but often it was also a place to feel at home and comfortable in an environment where the music clique are not usually the popular clique 😉 Before the trolls crawl out of their holes and start accusing me of hypocrisy, yes I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where music and the opportunity for private lessons was afforded to me, and you will never hear and ungrateful word as those lessons are very much what built me; but also a lot of that upbringing was spent watching my Dad inspire hundreds of Valleys children to pursue such a past time, seeing him teach and arrange school trips to West End Shows - and even now I watch him continue to develop and evolve music within the South Wales community - amongst young and old alike. Music is important to people – the Welsh especially (we are the land of song after all), so it breaks my heart to hear about Music (and other creative pursuits) being stripped from the curriculum; of schools where all concerts have been cancelled due to costs, and of further budget cuts – this is a disservice to so many children. The day that music stops mattering to us is really a day when we might as well give up entirely.
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Author - Helena ChristieLittle Welsh Sprite. A Manager of people. A wearer of heels. A drinker of gin. A disciple of musical theatre and medieval history. You can find me on Twitter under @HistoryWithHelz and @HelenaChristie4 Archives
July 2018
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