These nations determine their own education policies. Scotland has Instrumental Music Services, a discretionary service provided by local authorities, and there is an annual survey published on their performance.
Leisure-time trombonist Ralph Riddiough’s successful petition has really got things moving and we’ll keep you updated with progress. Watch his session in the Scottish Parliament’s petition committee, backed by professional trumpet player Mick Cooke and our manager in Scotland, Alison Reeves (a fiddle player).
In Wales, the Assembly is now paying attention to the crisis, caused by councils’ budgetary woes, after the delivery of the Hitting The Right Note report into music education from one of its committees this summer, leading to much feedback and a discussion in the Senedd this month (at about 2 hrs in).
Making Music, as well as many other organisations, responded to the report and the minister’s response to it. The recommendations point to finding national (Wales-wide) solutions, rather than leaving music education open to the postcode lottery of local authorities.
But of course Wales’ and Scotland’s residents - you can also support the petition to the UK Parliament Please sign!
We do not as yet know much about the situation in Northern Ireland, but we’d be very pleased to learn more from any members there.
