Music in state schools

My Quandary column in The Independent this week looked at whether or not you can get a decent music education at a state school, and attracted many replies. Most of them recounted the excellent training in singing and playing that various readers' children had received in state schools, although some asserted that, to get a really solid classical training or to get the pinnacle of musical success the only route was through private schools.

Howard Goodall, the composer and broadcaster who heads the current national push for improved singing in schools, Sing Up! wrote in with the detailed response, below. I also add one of a number of reader responses that outlned a musical experience in state schools.

'I can't imagine from where you got this misleading impression. It is true that private schools on the whole provide good quality music teaching, though of course it is also true that many better-off families pay for private instrumental tuition outside of school class times which reflects well on the independent schools their children attend. As for the state system, there are many schools whose music is outstanding, even if it is also a fact that some state schools are not so well provided for. The present government has nurtured the creation of 58 secondary schools with music as their first or second specialism - I have visited many of them myself and their music teaching is easily the equal of the most famous and richly-endowed private schools. There are a further 503 schools with wider arts as a specialism, where music provision is usually above average.
Even in state schools where there isn't a dynamic music leadership or a supportive head teacher, there are the local authority music services, open to all children, usually but not always operating on a Saturday, with advanced tuition, ensembles, choirs, orchestras at every level. These local music services are the envy of the world: if you don't believe me, why not turn up at one of the Schools' Proms at the Albert Hall on November 9, 10 & 11th where you will hear a tiny sample of the superb music they are providing for hundreds of thousands of state school students. With respect to singing, I have been involved with national choral competitions for 20 years and can truthfully report that at the top level there is no difference between the best state and best private schools. At primary level, where music has in the past been a poor relation, this situation is being turned round, gradually, by energetic intervention: in 2003, 8% of Key Stage 2 children in state schools had instrumental tuition at school, the figure this year is closer to 40% and rising. These group music lessons are free, by the way, and a percentage of 40% puts us in the top three or four countries in the world for access to music. The National Singing Programme, Sing Up, of which I am Ambassador, has in the last two years trained 26,000 people to lead singing in primary schools and is now working with 80% of all state primaries to provide excellent resources and to improve & widen group singing. This programme is unique in the world. Next time someone says state schools are rubbish at music, check that they are not talking about the 20th, rather than the 21st century.'
Howard Goodall
National Ambassador for Singing

We have no musical background but my state school educated daughter, now fifteen, is grade 8 plus on the flute, grade 7 saxophone and grade 5 on the piano. All lessons and ABRSM grades have been taken in school, although she didn’t pick up an instrument until the age of 8. She didn’t even go to one of the Performing Arts specialist state secondary schools that can choose some of their pupils on musical ability. My son made it to Grade 6 guitar before leaving school, after starting at the age of ten. I believe our education authority is typical in providing wonderful orchestras, ensembles and performance opportunities at minimum cost, bringing children across the area together to celebrate their musical talent and work together. They did everything right for my children to enjoy and develop their musical talent.

Anna Taylor
Middlesex