If you think the plight of peripatetic brass teaching in parts of the UK is leading to problems supporting the next generation of young players, spare a thought for youngster wishing to learn the oboe and bassoon.

Geoffrey S Bridge is the Chairman of the British Double Reed Society which aims to promote and sustain interest in the playing of the instruments — from beginners to professionals.

Recent cut backs in local authority instrumental music services has hit them especially hard, with Geoffrey explaining that the recent intake at one leading British Conservatoire contained not a single oboe player.

Economist article

He was drawn to the plight shared by the brass band world by a recent article in The Economist magazine (3rd March) which quoted 4BR Editor Iwan Fox on his views on the increasingly parlous state of peripatetic teaching.

In particular it was his assertion that due to the deep financial cut backs in local authority spending all that was now being taught was in his words "...a production line of nothingness"on cheap ukuleles to tick educational boxes of achievement.

Pointed and accurate

"It's a lovely pointed and very accurate phrase,"Geoffrey told 4BR. "It's also one that resonates with our Society and the acute problems faced by youngsters wishing to play the oboe or bassoon.

Charging for specialist lessons on these wonderful instruments is so damaging and narrow minded and the results are beginning to be seen as conservatoire level and beyond.

Like low brass in particular, where are the next generation of young players going to come from if they do not receive the inspirational support and encouragement in their schools?"

It is such a short sighted policy to charge for these services. As Iwan Fox said in The Economist magazine, it simply leads to a production line of musical nothingness. I congratulate him on his forcefulness and hope people take noteGeoffrey Bridge

Short sighted

He added: "It is such a short sighted policy to charge for these services. As Iwan Fox said in The Economist magazine, it simply leads to a production line of musical nothingness. I congratulate him on his forcefulness and hope people take note."

Find out more

To find out more about the British Double Reed Society go to: http://www.bdrs.org.uk/