Music hub plan outlined

Plans to offer every child the opportunity to learn an instrument for free have been revealed.

The new approach is based on national guidance and outlined in a Leicestershire County Council report.

It involves creating a hub - a partnership of schools and music organisations - to deliver music teaching, ensembles and bands, concerts and performances.

Applications for hub funding have been made to the Arts Council who take over responsibility for music from August.

The set-up would offer all children in junior school the opportunity to learn how to play instruments in their class groups  and sing, and see more local and school-based bands, orchestras and ensembles feed in to the main music groups, including the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra.

It would mean a change in role for the staff of Leicestershire Schools Music Service and the loss of 30 full time equivalent posts. Employees have been consulted on the proposals and some are planning to become self-employed to continue to offer small group tuition as 'associates' of the hub.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the children and young people's service, said: "New legislation means that across the country, education services run by local authorities are changing.

"Importantly, the proposed new structure enables the hub to apply for funding and would make sure that every child aged five to 18 has the chance to learn a musical instrument, at no cost.

"Clearly this is an unsettling time for staff and we will continue to work with them to reduce any impact."

A decision on the plans will be made by the council's cabinet on 3rd April.

A music education hub is a partnership of music organisations and schools working together in a local area to use their combined resources to ensure the best possible music education for children and young people in and out of school.   

Protected funding allocations from August 2012 to March 2015, ring-fenced to the Plan and based on a national funding formula, will be distributed to hubs following an open application process to the Arts Council.

The four core roles of the hub are to:

a) Ensure every child aged 5 – 18 has the opportunity free of charge to learn a musical instrument (other than voice) through whole class ensemble teaching programmes for ideally a year (but for a minimum of a term).

b) Provide opportunities for children to play in ensembles and perform from an early stage

c) Ensure that clear progression routes are available and affordable to young people

d) Develop a singing strategy to ensure every pupil sings regularly and that choirs and other vocal ensembles are available in their area