First thoughts on the Welsh national plan for music education

For many years, it seemed that the Land of Song was in serious danger of losing its voice.

Local councils, finances battered by the Great Recession and the decade of austerity which followed, looked to make savings wherever they could. For many, the music service – which had delivered free lessons to generations of children – provided a copious quantity of beans for the counters who sought to balance the books. Services were privatised, even closed completely, and music lessons became the prerogative of a select few.

Things are about to change, however, following the announcement of a National Plan for Music Education in Wales, along with the creation of a National Music Service which will be rolled out in September. Annual funding of £1.5m has been in place since 2018/9, providing support for music services and ensembles throughout the country. That figure has been trebled and is being guaranteed for the next three years, although the political consensus in the Senedd on the day of the announcement appeared to be that funding should continue after the three-year trial period.