A £10m package of measures to boost music education both in and out of school hours has been announced by Education Secretary Alan Johnson in response to last years Music Manifesto report calling for an end to the postcode lottery of music education (see AP issue 132).
The cash is in addition to the £25m already announced for instrumental tuition next year. Much of the funding will be used to support a major national singing campaign for primary schools. Choir schools will be funded to develop their outreach activities in partnership with local schools and other music providers, and to deliver singing master classes and summer schools in their local communities. The funding will also support the roll-out of a programme called Music Start, which was initially created by Healing Arts for the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS trust, largely funded by Youth Music and designed to engage parents and young children in music.
Published: 29-01-2007