International composer and former Gartmore resident Sally Beamish OBE has added her voice to the campaign against proposed £250,000 worth of cuts to Stirling Council’s instrumental music tuition service.
Plans to cut the service is one of a raft of ideas floated by council officials in a bid to plug a £13million funding gap – with this Sunday, February 2, the deadline for locals to make their views clear on the council’s Engage platform.
Separately, almost 4,500 people have now signed an online petition calling for Stirling Council to reject the music tuition funding cut.
Sally, who has worked in music across theatre, film and television as well as within the community, said: “Music is too often regarded as an optional extra in education.
“However we now have scientific proof that music can heal pathways in the brain – and documented evidence that learning music benefits all other subjects, as well as building confidence and team skills.
“Creativity is essential in all walks of life, and it is vitally important that a child has the opportunity to find their own particular creative voice. It could be the violin or the guitar. It could be art or drama. Whether this later becomes a career is not the point. The proven fact is that the child needs this creative voice to thrive and socialise.
“My children attended McLaren High School, where they had the benefit of orchestras and bands, which became their social focus as well. These social groups will cease to exist if children don’t have the chance to discover an instrument.
“My children, as adults, are all now singer songwriters alongside other complementary career choices.
“Instrumental lessons, with the benefit of learning the skill of reading music, and the satisfaction of personal achievement through their own discipline and endeavor, lead to an acquisition of life skills which last a lifetime.
“To remove this chance from a child’s horizon is shortsighted and will have long term negative consequences.”
Members of Stirling Orchestra have also now written to Stirling councillors, who will have the final say on options put forward by the authority’s officials during the upcoming budget setting process.
In the letter, the musicians say: “We understand that the benefits of playing an instrument and, in particular, playing with other people, extend far beyond the enjoyment that we get from our own weekly rehearsals.
“Through the hard work of music played together, friendships and communities are formed, resilience and tenacity are developed, minds of all ages are stretched and strengthened.
“Music made together has a power that must be seen and heard to be believed.
“For now, it CAN be heard – at Stirling Orchestra concerts, at Big Noise performances, at school concerts across the council area, and at the myriad other musical events that give Stirling its cultural heart.
“But for how much longer, if the music service sustains this cut?”
The objectors also say the cuts would be contrary to the spirit of Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which states that all children ‘should be able to take part freely in cultural activities’.
They also point out the economic value of the creative industries in Scotland and highlight evidence showing the impact of learning an instrument on young people’s wider attainment.
The letter concludes: “At Stirling Orchestra, most of us began a lifetime’s passion for music as pupils of a local authority instrumental music service.
“We are always proud and excited to play at the city’s Albert Hall – to pay it back by making a small contribution to the civic life of the city, as Stirling’s orchestra.
“The obvious pride the council leadership shows on these occasions make them particularly special for us.
“Please make us proud by rejecting these cuts: learning a musical instrument should be a right for all young people, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.”
Former Stirling High School pupil Emmy-winning musician John Lunn – who has composed for hit shows Downton Abbey, Shetland, and Granchester – has also backed the campaign, as has Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
As well as slashing the music service, cuts to school counselling, reducing support staff, axing out-of-school care, cutting library opening times, removing the garden waste concession, slashing funding to Stirling Community Enterprise and Stirling Citizen’s Advice Bureau and increases to charges for cemetery and burial services have also been suggested.
Councillors will have the final say on budget plans but depute council leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, has warned that, with the authority facing a £12.938m budget gap in 2025-26 alone, some “tough choices” still need to be made.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The council faces an estimated budget shortfall of £13 million next year where a number of difficult decisions will need to be made.
“Elected members will make a final decision on what proposed savings should be taken forward at this year’s budget setting meeting in February.
“Residents can continue to provide feedback on potential savings across a range of council services as part of our Big Conversation until February 2.”
The music tuition petition can be found at: https://www.change.org/p/save-our-children-s-music