Music scheme tunes up to £388k boost (From York Press)

Music scheme tunes up to £388k boost

12:50pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in News By Mark Stead, Political Reporter

A SCHEME aimed at getting more children in York involved in music is to receive a £388,000 boost.

The Department for Education and Arts Council England have confirmed York Arts Education, which is part of City of York Council’s arts and culture service, is to be one of 122 music education hubs to be given financial support.

The York initiative is aiming to ensure every child and young person in the city aged between five and 18 has the opportunity to sing and learn to play a musical instrument, as well as to perform with others as part of an ensemble or choir.

The service currently offers instrumental tuition to classes at most primary schools in the city and opportunities for students to play in a range of musical ensembles at York Arts Academy.

Coun Janet Looker, pictured, the authority’s cabinet member for education, children and young people said: “We are delighted the hard work already being done by our service and all our partners has been recognised nationally.

“There are already an incredible amount of musical opportunities available to young people in York, but knowing we will have a guaranteed amount of funding for the next three years means we can continue to offer access to instrumental tuition to every child in their own school.”