RSCM welcomes government funding for music in schools

The UK Government has announced it is to spend £10m on music in primary schools in England, which will include a national singing campaign. It will be led by composer (and former chorister) Howard Goodall who has been named as a new "singing ambassador". The campaign will also allow choir schools to work closely with other local schools. The RSCM has welcomed the announcement.

Sue Snell, the RSCM’s Head of Education says:
“The Royal School of Church Music welcomes the Government’s announcement, as we would any initiative which gets people singing; indeed our own Voice for Life* scheme promotes singing in schools, churches, and in the community, and encourages the development of singing skills for all ages. Primary schools are an important source of young voices for many church choirs, and we look forward to seeing how the scheme will work, and crucially for us and our members, whether we will be able to encourage more young singers to join church and cathedral choirs.

There is a splendid and long-standing church choral heritage in this country, and in many places young choristers are urgently needed.”

Notes for Editors

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an educational charity and promotes the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. As well as the publication of Church Music Quarterly, the RSCM also publishes music and training resources, and organises courses, short workshops and activities. With over 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, supported by over 750 volunteers and small team of staff based throughout the UK.

*The RSCM Voice for Life programme is one of our training programmes to encourage singing in churches, schools and the community. As well as musical and vocal training, the scheme fosters commitment and discipline; essential elements for being part of a choir team. There are thousands of participants in the RSCM Voice for Life scheme all over the world. The scheme is particularly popular in the USA.

PDFs of RSCM news releases are generally available here (go to "News Releases").

Photographs for media use are available from the Media & Picture Gallery (go to "RSCM picture gallery").

For further enquiries contact:
Stuart Robinson:
RSCM Media Relations Organiser
srobinson@rscm.com
T: 01492 556378 / 07831 827701

or

Heather Bamber
RSCM Marketing & Communications Administrator
E: hbamber@rscm.com
T: 01722 424847 or 07786 331364

17/01/07