200 young people including a mix of instrumentalists and instructors gathered to protest outside of Fife Council headquarters in Glenrothes recently. The protest was staged in order to raise awareness of a recent plan that was designed to cut instrumental music lessons in the local area starting in August. Many of the protesters travelled from far and wide, some left behind their regular day jobs as music professionals in order to join the protest.
Morag Warren, former Fife viola student travelled from Kent to lead the protest. She
said "It has gone really well and I am pleased with the turnout. I
hope the councillors will listen because I don't think they understood
what they were voting for. For many pupils the only pleasure they
get out of school is music. The Council seems to think that
music is something that only benefits the middle classes when it is
something which benefits everybody."
Bruce Davies, a renowned folk musician, commented "The cuts are crazy and won't just affect current pupils - it is
the tip of the iceberg - because it will continue to impact in 40 years
time." Fifteen year old from Burtisland said "It is fantastic that so many people are showing how they feel and
what music means to them. I think it's not something that can just be
put aside. These cuts will affect the next generation and it will be a
loss to the whole of Fife."
Lindsay Roy,
Labour MP, said "The administration has its priorities wrong. It is
spending money on 250 cultural co-ordinators when 17 music instructors
are to be sacked. It is talking about engaging with people, improving
schools, the new Curriculum for Excellence, but are they being
responsible today? There needs to be a change to a decision that
was wrong."
Ross Vettraino, SNP councillor, retorted "Lindsay Roy's
government imposes the most stringent cuts and then he comes here and
complains. I see signs like 'Save Fife Music' but it is not under
threat. We are talking about 25 per cent out of the music budget
but we are still investing £1.2 million in music tuition and this
should be enough, especially when you consider how much Fife is spending
compared with other councils."
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