Music vs Budget

Some schools have taken to drastic measures to reduce spending in the wake of shrinking funding and rising costs, and music and the arts are often the first casulaties. 20% of schools surveyed in a recent investigation by the Guardian reported that music provision had been drastically reduced.

Undoubtedly, this is one way for these establishments to save money, but at what social, developmental and cultural cost to our children? It has been proven time and time again, early musical exploration and education in children can have a direct impact on the speed of intellectual development as well as intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy skills.

With this in mind music remains firmly on the table for many establishments. As such, educators are having to be more creative than ever in ways to save – and make – money.

A long‐standing school staple is the end of term concert. This is an easy way for Schools and Hubs to make a quick buck from parents in exchange for an hour of musical entertainment provided by their young ones and their classmates.

Another method of emergency fundraising is to up – or introduce – joining fees for after‐school music clubs. This can offer a quick financial fix yet ultimately ‐ while unavoidable in some cases – this can cause more problems than it solves. The most noticeable issue caused by this is the widening of social movement as only those whose family can afford to partake do. Actions like this force Music Education into the realms of luxury, rather than necessity.

Perhaps the most damning measures forced upon school music departments can be seen when one looks at their supplies. Where once there were cupboards overflowing with vast rages of percussion, reams of music and a pile of recorders, there now lies a less pleasant reality. Many teachers count themselves lucky if they can get their hands on one or two cheap, poor quality, instruments, not widely dissimilar to a Christmas cracker toy.

Such ‘instruments’ offer no benefits, with often there not being enough pieces to go around a class. They are hardly up to basic usage and the sound produced can barely be called music. All these factors can create a frustrating and unenjoyable learning environment, meaning today’s children are truly missing out on a discipline that has benefits that reach all aspects of learning and development.

Recent market research carried out by Normans Musical Instruments found that the two main concerns of music educators purchasing music resources are cost and quality. In that order. Responding to this we have spent the last few years working directly with designers and manufacturers to build ranges of instruments that are low in cost, without compromising on quality.

One such percussion range that is proving itself to be a huge success is A‐Star. Used by schools and Music Hubs up and down the country this range has allowed easy access to a variety of instruments that are both practical and affordable for the UK classroom. Recently we supplied the BBC with bespoke A‐Star classroom packs for use in a new Music Pilot.

All in all, it is clear music is not the thriving discipline it once was. However, with careful budgeting, continuous research into its cognitive benefits, and initiatives such as those that we have taken at Normans, it could just be that we help can save music from extinction in our Primary Schools.

@normansmusic @PrimaryMusicMag