The recent article published in 'The Scotsman' newspaper that suggested that the Scottish National Party's free music tuition policy had failed to boost uptake has certainly inflamed opinions — both for and against the opinions it highlighted.

Two certainly against the thrust of Calum Ross's article and the opinion aired by Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron that said that the reported drop in participation figures were "sadly symptomatic of the SNP's mismanagement of Scotland's education system", came in the newspaper's letter's section.

Wallace

The first came from the renowned trumpet player and educator John Wallace from Music Education Partnership Group in Glasgow.

In his letter he stated: "While I understand the political imperative that MSPs such as Donald Cameron are hard-wired to give the SNP a kicking at every opportunity, the reasons for the slow recovery from the pernicious effects of the Covid pandemic on the numbers taking instrumental lessons cannot be laid at the Scottish Government's door."

Passion

He added: "They have kept their end of the bargain, providing an extra £12 million pounds to local instrumental music services in the coming academic year.

The music teachers on the ground are responding with passion, music education is flourishing, and this time next year will be the time to appraise the success of this initiative. Rome wasn't built in a day."

Orr

Meanwhile, Alastair Orr, an instrumental music instructor who has long campaigned for the protection of instrumental music and vocal tuition in schools also wrote to the newspaper.

He stated: "The Scotsman is right to highlight the importance of instrumental and vocal tuition in Scotland's schools.

As a brass teacher myself, I have to point out that Instrumental Music Services across the country are continuing to recover from the impact of the pandemic and, following the welcome removal of fees for music tuition by the Scottish Government in 2021, are teaching many more children who were previously unable to afford to learn to play an instrument or to sing.

The music teachers on the ground are responding with passion, music education is flourishing, and this time next year will be the time to appraise the success of this initiative. Rome wasn't built in a dayJohn Wallace

Overlooked

He added: "What is being overlooked is that in 2007 there were 1,264 instrumental and vocal teachers working in Scotland's schools and, according to the recent Improvement Service report, there are only 620 teachers employed by local authorities today.

This has meant that many Instrumental Music Services have long waiting lists of children unable to be accommodated, due to a lack of staff and resources.

This situation can only be resolved by, over time, allowing music services to grow. In that way, many more children will be able to enjoy the benefits of music education."