Last summer the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, asked me to join a taskforce that would look into the impact that music can have in education and society.
I've been a member of the Board of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for four years, and sing in its Chorus. In fact I've sung in choirs all my life. The sensation of achievement that comes from performance is something that I've long cherished. I've always felt that taking part in a team event like playing in a sports team, or acting in a play, or playing in a band or singing in a choir, is good not only for a person's soul. I'm convinced that it builds a sense of togetherness that is good for community spirit and for forging a Nation that is at ease with itself.
The amazing music project in Venezuela, El Sistema, and the resulting orchestras including the Simon Bolivar Orchestra are testiment to that. Music in Venezuela has been an amazing way to break down barriers in society, and bring young people together in achievement.
Jeremy Hunt had recognised this too, so he brought together a group of people from across the arts including the acclaimed violinist Tasmin Little to recommend some actions that government could consider. Jeremy made us aware of research that proves that a child who sings in a choir or plays keyboards tends to have a higher IQ and achieve better school grades than a child who is not given that chance.
This government has had a plethora of projects to support the arts and music over the past 12 years. But there has rarely been any conviction in delivering some quite expensive projects.
So, as our interim report, we have come up with a simple idea which I was delighted to present formally to Jeremy and to Michael Gove on Tuesday this week. Our idea is for a National Music Week. This celebration of music will encourage bands and orchestras, both amateur and professional, into the community in schools, railways stations, hospitals, prisons and public spaces to celebrate musical performance. We hope it will inspire more to sing and play, and nurture talent and determination right across the country.
We made the report in the most amazing school. St Matthews Primary School in Westminster is a state school that draws its children from some quite challenging backgrounds. The inspiration headteacher, Nicola Cottier, has created the most wonderful spirit in the school. So, I arrived at 9 o'clock to the sounds of some Ivor Novello songs, and was immediately put at ease. We then attended assembly where the whole school sang vigorously. The impact of song made the whole place buzz with delight and ensure that the children are ready for the day ahead in a spirit of achievement. I wish every school had the same chance!
There is one further reason why music education is good for the Nation: musicians have to learn to read music. And that means being able to count. As a banker, that's a skill I really appreciate!
