21-11-07 Government announce £332 million music lesson investement

Making Every Child’s Music Matter
Last November saw the Government pledge unprecedented funds into the education of
music in schools. The numbers of young people taking up music has been dwindling for years and with a lack of investment has meant that some children with a keen interest in music have gone through their schooling with no opportunity to develop that interest into a skill.
The basis of this new Government programme ‘Making Every Child’s Music Matter’ is to reintroduce musical culture in schools for all to embrace, not just the few. Over the next three years £332 million will be invested into choirs, orchestras, new instruments, performance
and free music lessons. The aim is to raise the standard of music education for all children.
Part of this investment will be spent in the following areas
• £82million a year for the next three years for Local Authorities
to spend on music education. This will pay for free music tuition for
every child for a year in the early years of primary school.
• £40million to buy new musical instruments.
• £40million to the ‘Sing Up’ programme to put singing back into the classroom;
The Music Manifesto report “Making Every Child’s Music Matter” Is being put into practice
and is now supported by many celebrities such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Julian Lloyd Webber and singer Jamelia.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls said: "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. I'm delighted that people like Andrew Lloyd Webber, who have put English music on the map, are supporting the Music Manifesto. Everyone should get behind our efforts to make music a key part of the school day for the educational and personal benefits for children and the cultural enrichment and enjoyment it brings people of all ages.
The programme is widely regarded as a step towards creating a new generation of
musical talent that Britain can be proud of
Culture secretary James Purnell said: "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."
To find out more visit website at http://www.musicmanifesto.co.uk