Member News
By Neville Ackerley - 16th January 2007
The government has launched a £10m campaign to encourage singing in primary schools.
Education secretary Alan Johnson published his plans for the future of music education at a two-day conference in London on Tuesday.He said music helps pupils develop in other areas.
"As well as being a worthwhile activity for its own sake, music is a powerful learning tool which can build children's confidence, teamwork and language skills," the cabinet minister argued.
"A better musical education for pupils can also help them hit the right note in their studies."
The initiative will include a 21st century songbook containing 30 songs for singing in class, from a range of genres such as classical, pop and folk, which schools will select for inclusion.
And the money will be used to encourage choir schools to work with others in their area through summer schools and master classes.
Composer and television presenter Howard Goodall, who is leading the campaign, said: "I am passionate about the dynamic and inspirational effect of music on young people.
"For me, singing in particular is every child's first, intuitive access to the world of music, but it is also a powerful and often untapped resource for social cohesion.
"There is barely an adult alive who does not wish they could sing with more confidence or that they had had a better start with their voices as children."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd