Stirling’s Council’s budget proposal is facing backlash for its pitch to reduce music tuition services in primary and secondary schools, saving £250,000.
The current £13 million budget shortfall is once again being tackled by the Big Conversation, a survey used to gather local opinion on budget proposals.
The survey asks Stirling residents whether they agree with the proposals, if they know people affected by them, and if they impact those with protected characteristics.
The decision to reduce music services provides one of the largest savings across the proposals, alongside reducing library opening hours, saving £257,000, and the removal of £214,000 worth of school counselling funds.
However, it has already proven to be a controversial proposal, with local musician Stephen McAll of Constant Follower speaking out on the “short-sighted” decision. “It’s absolutely terrifying to me as a professional musician”, he says in an Instagram post.
The Scottish Album of the Year nominee continues: “The next generation of kids won’t be getting the same experiences that I got when I was in school which introduced me to music.”
Why is music tuition important?
Psychologist Daniel Levitin writes in This is your Brain on Music that “musical activity involves nearly every region of the brain that we know about and nearly every neural subsystem”.
Additionally, research has found that early music tuition is significantly linked with cognitive growth outside of music.
Stirling drummer and freelance music instructor of ten years, Liam Chapman commented: “The main feedback has always been so positive and actually based around how it’s had such a massive impact on communication skills, confidence and the ability to work in a team with others”.
As outlined by Stirling Council: “Music tutors deliver the direct tuition required in the range of instruments chosen in order that young people can excel and secure the necessary qualifications to have the option of pursuing music at a higher level or as a career.”
It continues: “Music tutors provide a level of expertise that cannot be provided by music teachers across secondary schools.”
The Council have not provided details of how the £250,000 would be saved, stating only that it proposes a “reduced offer”.
However, the cut could impact services such as teaching, instrument availability, extra-curricular orchestras and bands, and the opportunity for students to obtain Trinity and ABRSM music qualifications.
The petition
A petition against the decision has reached over 2200 signatures. It calls on Stirling Council to withdraw the “damaging and ill-conceived proposal” and can be accessed here.
However, locals are also urged to voice their opinions in the Big Conversation survey. It is open until Sunday, February 2 and can be accessed here. Paper copies are also available in local libraries.
Feedback will be provided by Stirling Council at the end of February before proposals are voted on by local Councillors.
Featured image credit: Stirling Orchestra
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