Music for all: Scotland on Sunday’s campaign for free tuition

TODAY Scotland on Sunday launches Let The Children Play, a campaign for free instrumental music tuition for every Scottish school child.
By EMMA COWING
Published 2nd Sep 2012, 01:45 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

It comes after an investigation revealed 11 local authorities across Scotland have raised their fees for the 2012-13 school session – meaning children are being charged more than ever before to learn a ­musical instrument.

• Revealed: the postcode lottery of music tuition

• Analysis: ‘I think the sports agenda is over-riding the arts agenda’

• In numbers: Music tuition in Scotland

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some children are even being charged to sit Standard and Higher music exams.

The latest rises mean a 
postcode lottery is now in place across the country, with some pupils being forced to withdraw from lessons because their parents cannot afford the higher charges.

Celebrated Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, who is one 
of many musicians supporting the campaign, said: “We 
need to get the message 
across to government and ministers that if you want Scotland to be what you’re talking about it being, you need to prioritise this. This is who we are.”