*
banner

Another Welsh Music Service faces uncertain future

Councillors in the City & County of Swansea unitary authority to consider ending financial support to West Glamorgan Music Service.

Welsh
 

The future of yet another Welsh peripatetic music service provider hangs in the balance, as councilors in the City & County of Swansea unitary authority prepare to take a decision on whether or not to stop funding West Glamorgan Youth Music Service.

Savings

4BR understands that a vote will take place on 25th February as part of an overall process to find around £89 million in overall authority savings in the coming years.

West Glamorgan Youth Music Service currently provides music tuition to 16,500 children from both the City & County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot unitary authorities, with the latter already committed to funding their share of the service's budget, if, as expected, councilors vote to split the service into two parts.

Families to pay

The outcome of the decision will be brought into effect from September this year, with activists against the proposal telling 4BR that families from the City & County of Swansea area will most likely have to pay for their children to receive tuition — with many coming from socially and economically deprived areas.

Currently, the service provides close on 600 hours of wide-spread peripatetic support in the local authority area — including nearly 94 hours a week of brass tuition.

Self worth

In the published consultation document outlining details of the proposals, one school stated: "...we feel a deep commitment to the importance of music for children of all abilities and from all backgrounds. Music gives all pupils the ability to express their creativity and has a tremendous impact on self-worth and esteem."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Swansea Council told the local South Wales Evening Post newspaper: "In Swansea we aim to ensure children continue to have access to as wide a range of music services as possible.

Schools will continue to be offered the opportunity to purchase their required provision for music from the Swansea music service."

Consultation

Currently, both authorities are in a 30-day consultation period (ending on 10th March) as they put forward the details of what the ending of the funding support would mean.

Children lose out

As one activist fighting against the proposal to end funding support from the City & County of Swansea told 4BR; "In reality this is largely 'window dressing', as without parity of funding the split is inevitable.

Having two smaller services seems ridiculous at a time when local authority re-organisation is so firmly on the agenda for Welsh Assembly Government. This is simply inefficient and creates additional administration — and it is the children who lose out once again."

They added: "Lend your support and make your viewpoint heard. The inevitable outcome if these changes go ahead will be an inferior musical education for the children of today and tomorrow in comparison with what has been provided over the last 30 years."

Music gives all pupils the ability to express their creativity and has a tremendous impact on self-worth and esteemSchool reply in consultation document

Petition

An online petition has been set up to fight the decision.

Go to:

https://www.change.org/p/swansea-city-council-save-west-glamorgan-music-service?recruiter=90032351&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=fb_send_dialog

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


wELSH aREA

Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Tredegar leads the way as Welsh Champion with section wins for Parc & Dare, Deiniolen Silver, City of Wrexham and Holywell in Swansea


Stevenage

Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • East London Brass claims the Championship honours in Stevenage with Kidlington Concert Brass, Jersey Premier, Betteshanger and Cobham taking the section titles.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Derek rENSHAW

Renshaw adds experience to MD role at Hade Edge

March 15 • Three time National winner Derek Renshaw brings his experience to the role of MD at Hade Edge Band.


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Sunday 16 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Contest: Welsh Regional Championships

Sunday 16 March • Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Sunday 16 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band

March 16 • Musical Director required. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire. . . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm until 10pm. . . Resident or professional sought depending on experience.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Bass trombone and Bb Bass required.. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire.. . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm to 10pm at the Enderby Village Institute.


Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass

March 15 • Merseyside/Wirral based. We are a friendly 4th section band with regular jobs and socials throughout the year! Looking for a Principal Cornet, Cornets(position negotiable), Flugal and Trombone. All Players welcome! Instruments available to use!


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd