Prominent Highlands musicians slam music lesson price hike as a 'step back into the dark ages' that is 'morally wrong'
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News that fees for music lessons in the Highlands will rise substantially in the next school year has led some of the most prominent and important musicians in the Highlands to slam the “step back into the dark ages” that is “morally wrong”.
Julie Fowlis, Bruce MacGregor, Alasdair Taylor and Duncan Chisholm have slammed the move by Highland Council and High Life Highland (HLH) which was previously lauded for providing tuition where it is not freely available in schools.
The change stems from the financial crisis faced by the council and its at arm’s reach leisure provider HLH as rising costs have forced it to perform an “exercise to establish the true cost of delivering activities and events.”
The rises are understood to be sharp and substantial as HLH says that it is trying to “protect jobs and services across communities” and to do that it is concentrating on retaining the most used activities that it offers.
It follows news that the council will be raising costs to hire public buildings, a move agreed in this year’s budget but which some councillors fear is “threatening the very existence” of voluntary organisations.
Founding member of Blazin’ Fiddles, Bruce MacGregor, could not have been clearer about what he thought about potentially severing access for many, often worst off, children.
“If there’s one thing we learnt over the lockdown period was that music and the arts get us through all sorts of tough times,” he said. “Music, whether listening or playing, provides a special way of communicating emotions that words so often fail with.
“To withdraw that opportunity is not only a step back into the dark ages, it’s morally wrong.”
Julie Fowlis said the benefits of a musical education are so much wider than simply learning to play an instrument.
“It’s vitally important that our children have access to learning music at school,” she said. “The benefits of engaging with music at a young age are many, varied and well documented, in particular with regard to both improved mental and physical health.
“Music grounds our young people in place; in a deep and rich culture that we are so lucky to have inherited here in the Highlands and that is the envy of so many around the world.
“Learning music can be transformative. It can help children develop skills which are transferable to all parts of life and which can give them a positive social circle and community too.
“I feel hugely fortunate to have started learning piping and Gaelic singing during my years at primary school. Without this early grounding in music and tradition, I doubt I would have gone on to pursue a career as a professional musician.”
The Elephant Sessions’ Alasdair Taylor also highlighted the cultural importance of of maintaining the Highland’s musical heritage whose value he said made supporting lessons “a no-brainer”.
He said: “We have such an amazing culture and history of music making in the highlands and it’s so important for kids to have the option to learn to play instruments.
“Growing up and going to classes with like minded people I ended up making lifelong friends and found a career I wanted to do in life. It was from that young age that I fell in love with music and had no doubt in my mind that it was what I wanted to pursue.
“These opportunities are so valuable for young people growing up and in an area where music is such a big form of tourism, it seems a no-brainer.”
And Wolfstone’s Duncan Chisholm said: “Music education can spark a child’s imagination and open up a whole world of opportunity. One of the most beautiful things we can give our children is the chance to play music. This should not be a privilege just for those who can afford it.”
