'Music is too often neglected by policymakers'

Music lessons can be the poor cousin of the curriculum, with a rich provision at some schools and a patchy offering at others. County council music hubs attempt to bridge that gap and ensure all children have access to a cultural education.

Six months on from the merger of the Norfolk and Suffolk hubs, BBC Politics East looked at its impact - and whether it will have its £2.6m government funding renewed by Labour.

Adam Taylor is on the executive board of new two-county hub, holding it to account and overseeing spending.

Since September, the hub has been involved in some 250 events, including workshops at schools in deprived areas, a special educational needs and disabilities (Send) festival and organising for children to sing at the Royal Albert Hall.

It also loans instruments to schools.

"For some young people they will excel at Stem [science, technology, engineering and maths] subjects and being able to work in a chemistry lab is the thing that inspires them, for other young people it will be about playing an instrument, dancing on our stages or singing in our choirs," said Mr Taylor.

"It's about breadth of opportunity."

Further funding is not guaranteed when the grant expires in September, with the Department for Education currently undertaking a review of the curriculum.

"Our schooling system is under incredible pressure - not everything can be a top priority, especially where there are finite resources and finite capacity," added Mr Taylor.

"It's a real challenge, [but] this additional investment helps make a substantial difference in schools."

One of the schools supported by the hub is St Nicholas Priory Primary in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

Head teacher Maria Grimmer said they offered broad and rich experiences to pupils, with music enticing children who "don't find their place in other avenues".

With support from the hub, children have been offered tuition on the trumpet and had the chance to sing at the Royal Norfolk Show, among other things.

"What the hub contributes to us is enormous, in terms of opportunity," she added.

"It encourages aspirational opportunities in a way that we couldn't provide," she said.

"I've seen children really grow in confidence.

"They become more creative, enthused, more connected and definitely there is a well-being element."

Sixteen-year-old Thomas, from Norwich, has had music lessons with the hub for eight years and has performed at live venues with its support.

"I just really love music; it's my passion; it helps me see everything in a completely different way; it helps me really understand myself and others when I perform with other people," he said.

"Everybody likes music in one way or another. It's quite a universal thing and that's its beauty.

"There is more work to be done to ensure music can have as broad a reach as it should.

"Too often it is neglected; music and arts are often the most underfunded departments in school.

"It is limiting the access people can have to music. If policymakers were to understand how powerful it could be, it would change everything for the better."

A Department for Education spokesperson said it would continue to support music hubs, but would not be drawn on whether funding would continue from September.

"Subjects like music, art and drama build confidence and important skills like communication, critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork," they added.

"The government has launched an independent review of curriculum and assessment, so every child can access a cutting edge curriculum that is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative, so children and young people will not miss out on subjects such as music and art."

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