A claim that a root and branch review of Angus schools’ instrumental music tuition will hit the right note for future generations of youngsters has been rubbished by critics.
Children and learning committee councillors voted 9-7 to implement a redesign, which will see the number of equivalent full-time instrument teachers in the district cut from 18 to 11 in a reduction of more than 35%.
Music figures, including the renowned conductor of Tayside Symphony Orchestra, have already aired fears over the future for music in Angus schools but committee convener Sheena Welsh said she believed the shake-up would not see an impact on the number of pupils taking up a musical instrument.
“Other councils have carried out similar reviews,” she said. “In Lothian there was virtually no decline in the numbers of children taking part in musical tuition and this will give us the opportunity to explore increased partnerships with other groups providing music locally.
“The review was not just about budgetary considerations, but the need to ensure value for money and the best possible provision for Angus children,” said Mrs Welsh.
Increased emphasis on group teaching, remote tuition through video link and an ambition to have an orchestra in each of the eight Angus secondaries are aims of the review.
Mrs Welsh said the new provision could be structured in a similar way to the world-famous Sistema music programme.
“If we can do half of what that has achieved in Angus, I will be very happy,” she said.
Opposition to the review was led by Arbroath independent David Fairweather, who failed in his bid to have the plan implemented until the full Angus Council budget is determined next month. He and seconder Margaret Thomson questioned how a 36% service reduction could lead to an improvement.
“This is fundamentally flawed, this is a savage cut,” said Mr Fairweather. “Yes we are in tough times but, at the end of the day, music is what it’s all about.”
Mrs Thomson said: “It is a drop of 40% in full-time equivalent teachers and you are telling us we are going to be teaching the same number of pupils an instrument that would be impossible.”
Arbroath councillor Ewan Smith said he had received “poor reports” about Angus instrumental provision, a situation acknowledged by officials who said the variation in tuition levels across the district was one of the review drivers.
Mr Smith added: “Clearly there has to be some sort of review but I find it very difficult to understand that when you say you want to improve a service, you talk about significantly reducing the number of people in it.”
Councillor Donald Morrison accused the review critics of “bluff and bluster for headlines.”
“We are going through a budget where we have to save £5-6 million and we have to make tough choices but we also have to think more cleverly about the way we deliver tuition.”