The pioneering spirit of trumpet player John Wallace to ensure that access to music remains a fundamental part of Scottish education policy has been hallmarked by the recent publication of a Music Manifesto for Scotland by the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG).

Wallace, who recently passed away, was a leading figure in the many battles that were undertaken to gain free local authority music provision in Scotland, one that eventually did away with what was termed the 'if you can pay you can play or sing' approach that financially excluded a huge numbers of youngsters.

World leading

Today, MEPG is made up of more than 70 members organisations and bodies, all determined to ensure that the new Scottish Government's commitment, "to a music educational environment for children and young people in Scotland which is world-leading in terms of availability, equality, equity and excellence in both school and community settings"is maintained following elections in May.

The success of the current commitment, endorsed by all parties at Holyrood has since 2021 seen over £12 million per year invested into local authority provision.

This has resulted in a huge increase in young people participating in instrumental tuition — reaching close to 66,000 new learners in 2023/24 and with over 22% of pupils receiving music lesson in school from the 20% most deprived areas of the country.

Binding

The legally binding commitment has meant that there are now around 1,000 registered class room music teachers and around 650 local authority instrumental instructors providing a free service to children.

Recent research has shown qualitative evidence of the positive impact on mental health and wellbeing of youngsters as well as value in strengthening social inclusion, literacy, numeracy, memory and attention, and discipline.

Recent research has shown qualitative evidence of the positive impact on mental health and wellbeing of youngsters as well as value in strengthening social inclusion, literacy, numeracy, memory and attention, and discipline4BR

Success

The manifesto, which has been sent to all prospective Scottish MSPs of all parties as well as being made available to all MEPG members and the general public, states: "Our success in removing fees for instrumental music lessons and broadening the possibilities and reach of music education following the last Scottish Elections has gone some way towards providing creative solutions to these problems."

In his support of the manifesto, composer Sir James MacMillan said: "Active engagement with music benefits people at every stage of life, enhancing young children's language, literacy, coordination, and spatial reasoning, while also boosting self-esteem, aspiration, and perseverance across other areas of learning".

New endorsement

It is now hoped that following the success of the policy it is hoped that any new government will continue to endorse, support and commit to further funding so that it says, "all young people regardless of their background can be involved in music and progress through excellent teaching and appropriate pathways."