A major review of music education in England has been launched in an attempt to prevent the subject remaining the preserve of children from middle-class families.
The review – led by Darren Henley, managing director of Classic FM – will attempt to “broaden access” to instruments and allow more children to learn how to read music.
The Coalition said evidence suggested that playing an instrument could lead to improvements in the three-Rs and a reduction in bad behaviour.
Currently, music is compulsory in the national curriculum up to the age of 14, but fewer than one in 10 pupils take the subject at GCSE level.
The review, which is expected to make its recommendations before the end of the year, could lead to a sharp rise in the number of pupils learning instruments such as the guitar, piano, violin, trumpet and flute at school.
Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said: “It’s a sad fact that too many children in state schools are denied the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument.
“Evidence suggests that learning an instrument can improve numeracy, literacy and behaviour. But more than that, it is simply unfair that the joy of musical discovery should be the preserve of those whose parents can afford it.”
The review will investigate how music funding could be put to better use to benefit more pupils and analyse the number of opportunities to receive music tuition in and out of school.
It will also seek to make improvements to the way teachers are trained to deliver the subject and how to attract more musicians into the teaching profession.
Mr Henley said: “Having worked closely with leading music educators and thinkers over the past few years, I know how much of a positive difference high quality music education makes to children's lives.”
--By Graeme Paton, 24 Sep 2010