Violinist ‘furious’ at music provision

Published on 10/07/2012 02:44

VIOLINIST Nicola Benedetti has attacked the lack of music provision in schools.

The 25-year-old secured a 
£2 million, six-album record contract after winning BBC Young Musician of the Year at the age of 16 and is now set to perform at the Last Night of the Proms.

But she said: “I’m fiercely furious about the provision of music in schools.

“So many people up and down the country are trying to create a better foundation for musical education.

“But decisions have been made, especially in the light of funding cuts, that are, I think, catastrophic to our future as a nation.”

Benedetti, who first had violin lessons at the age of five and left home at ten to attend the 
prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, said: “Now, more than ever, we need a cultural identity for youth in this country.”

The Scottish violinist added: “If children don’t have very strong parenting and don’t have an activity to replace the 
aimlessness that can go on after school hours, they end up accepting what’s shoved in their face.

“Which is celebrity culture and this obsessive chasing to become famous. But famous for what?

“None of it is promoting anything of true substance or quality. It’s not promoting the 
message that we’re better people if we work hard at something.”