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Ed Balls has launch an initiative to give every child the chance to learn more about music.
The schools secretary set a target of giving more than two million primary school pupils the chance to learn an instrument by 2011.
Joined by schools minister Diana Johnson at a high school in Acton, West London, he said that he wanted to "create a generation of talented performers" to "fly the flag" for the UK.
As part of the drive, the government has invested £330m in music and created a 'year of music' scheme.
Lily Allen, the cast of the musical Wicked and the English National Ballet are among the performers supporting the initiative.
"Music is at the very heart of British popular culture - it's what kids talk about, it's what they aspire to," Balls said ahead of the launch.
"It's fantastic that TV talent shows like X Factor attract millions of viewers each week, but young people need to know that they can only become stars by mastering the basics when they're young and by learning about a range of music - from classical to country.
"This is exactly why we need world class music education in schools."
He continued: "Headteachers tell me the reason why they want to teach music and dance is not just because they're fun, but they also have a positive impact on pupils' reading and writing.
"Research backs this up, showing direct links between music and attainment, better behaviour and better social cohesion.
"Far from it being a 'soft subject', the benefits of music are simply too important to ignore."
According to government figures, the number of children learning a musical instrument at Key Stage 2 has more than doubled to 55 per cent since 2005.
Johnson explained that music was a "top priority" for the government and that more space will be made available for it in the curriculum.
"Research from the Institute of Education tells us that involvement with music can have a huge impact on the development of young people, and that it can even promote social cohesion and better behaviour," she said.
"And because we know that learning to play an instrument can improve both reading and writing, it is right that music should play an important role in school life, and beyond."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd