News / Over 6,000 want music taught for free
THREE petitions with more than 6,000 signatures calling on Shetland Islands Council not to charge for music tuition were handed in at Lerwick Town Hall by a group of local musicians on Wednesday morning.
Led by fiddler Maggie Adamson and Shetland’s most famous musical son Aly Bain, the petitions, consisting of a Facebook group, an online petition and a traditional paper based one, were accepted by services committee chairman Gussie Angus.
The council meets on Thursday to discuss a motion by culture spokesman Rick Nickerson who hopes to win a majority to defer the introduction of charges pending a review.
The isles’ many talented musicians were horrified when the council decided earlier this year they could no longer afford its widely-admired free musical education for all pupils, seen as a cornerstone of Shetland’s cultural heritage.
In a bid to save money, the council wants to charge pupils around £140 per school year for learning to play an instrument. Pupils who receive free school meals and those who are doing higher musical education will be exempt.
Rising fiddle star Maggie Adamson said charging pupils for instrumental education would be counterproductive.
“Most of the musicians here today and those who have been playing at the Hamefarin have been taught through the schools. There wouldn’t be as much music if the council would start charging,” she said.
Aly Bain, who is in the isles to play a Hamefarin concert, said he had been happy to give his support to the campaign.
“Fiddle music plays a huge part in Shetland culture and heritage. I think it should be encouraged.
“I sincerely hope councillors will drop this proposition and leave the kids alone. It really would just be for the sake of a few thousand pounds,” he said.
Mr Angus said he was not surprised that the council’s attempt to save money by charging for music tuition had caused a public outcry.
“The decision that was taken was bound to throw up this sort of reaction. People feel very strongly about their music.
“My own view would be that if we were prepared to take some radical decisions on the Blueprint for Education proposals (also to be discussed on Thursday) then there would be no need to introduce these charges,” he said.
Councillor Nickerson meanwhile said the proposed savings of £130,000 were over optimistic.
He said he hoped that a proper review of music tuition, as will be proposed by him on Thursday, would identify sufficient savings to make charges obsolete.
The services committee can only deal with the level of charges, it cannot deal with the principle of charging, which is reserved to the full council.
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