CNJ COMMENT: Can this really be the year our cherished music dies?

Published: 6 January, 2011

RIDICULE can make politicians feel small.

If so, may we highlight a rather ridiculous state of affairs at the Town Hall.

All signs point to a decimation of the great music tradition of Camden’s schools, built up over the years but particularly since the end of the 1990s.

Loud hints now point up to severe cuts in music teaching at schools to be made this year.

Once, when London had a proper functioning governing body, known as the Greater London Council, it was the envy of many cities in Britain and not a few capitals across Europe as money was spent lavishly, but wisely, on music teaching.   

If a school could not afford a teacher, peripatetic music teachers were sent from school to school, teaching most classical instruments.

After the GLC was killed off by Margaret Thatcher, music teaching declined rapidly.

Here in Camden though, Labour made praiseworthy efforts to keep it alive – and as an added boost the borough hosted biennial great concerts at the Albert Hall where thousands of parents would see their children perform.

Last year, the new mayor Jonathan Simpson, publicly declared his passion for music – and music teaching seemed safe.

But not at all. The axe seems about to fall. 

Music in Camden is basically funded by a government grant.  If all or part of it goes, with it will go the sound of music in the borough.

The council blame Whitehall.

To a degree the councillors can only look on innocently as the storm gathers.  

An iron fist from George Osborne will certainly leave them feeling helpless.

But are they? Have all the sums been done?

Or is there a tiny possibility that music doesn’t rate highly in the order of things at the Town Hall?

If so, the cruel accusation of philistinism may carry some weight, however little.

Many councillors may also not be aware of the benefits music brings to school life as a whole – especially to difficult pupils.

In the long run, there is a correlation between the sound of music at schools and a drop in expulsions and poor behaviour.

Meanwhile, the mayor is at risk of being stranded on the high ground.

His mission is to make his year the year of music.

But all it may do is produce hollow laughter.