What are we playing for? What do want to achieve as we lay the foundations for the next five years? What are our priorities during this time of financial restraint?
These were some of the key questions tackled at the Music Education Council (MEC) meeting held in London earlier this month (March 17).
MEC, the umbrella body for organisations connected with music education in the UK, invited representatives from across its membership to discuss how best to protect and further develop the music education system in the years ahead.
The meeting brought together key advocates from across the sector to present their thoughts. Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians articulated the need for a distillation of messages in order for the sector to articulate its aims and priorities with one voice.
Christina Coker, Chief Executive of Youth Music urged attendees to move forward with confidence. Recent years have seen initiatives such as Sing Up, Wider Opportunities, In Harmony and Musical Futures fundamentally change the face of music education; Christina drew attention to the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise developed as a result of this positive activity.
Other contributors included Paul McManus of the Music Industries Association who emphasised the willingness of the instrument industry to work with and support those who seek to 'make more music makers'.
Kathryn Deane, Director of community music organisation Sound Sense, argued that music education should not just be available for children, stressing that stereotypes of ageing need to be challenged to develop a system that allows people of all ages to learn about life through music.
These presentations and the group discussions that followed succeeded in reflecting not only the breadth and diversity of positive activity across the sector but also the passion and conviction of those involved. The MEC and its member organisations are now working to finalise a series of key messages for the future of music education.
Despite the political uncertainty and financial instability of the current climate, the sector is determined to build on successes, learn from experience and drive forward the development of music education in the UK.
This News story was originally published by Music Manifesto, the campaign to improve music education 2004 – 2010
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