“One of the most exciting commitments of the general election campaign was made in Jeremy Corbyn’s wonderful eve-of-election speech in Colwyn Bay, north Wales: the promise to give every child the chance to learn a musical instrument,” writes Stephen Moss in Monday’s (6/19) Guardian (U.K.). “Learning to read and play music gives you access to a new language, other worlds. It is one of the greatest gifts … that a child can be given. Finland has one of the best education systems in the world, where teaching music and learning to play an instrument are the foundation of children’s schooling…. Finland has produced a stream of extraordinary musicians over the past 30 years…. Not every child is going to become a Finnish-style musical superstar…. But every child should, as Corbyn says, be given the opportunity. Why should it just be the kids of thrusting middle-class parents and pupils at [private] schools? Music and playing an instrument should be an integral part of Britain’s education system…. Putting music at the heart of education will improve children’s lives and, slowly but surely, improve all our lives, by making classical music seem relevant, necessary, intoxicating. Just ask the Finns.”
Posted June 20, 2017
