Co-leaders of The Moray Council and also the Chair and Vice Chair of the Education Committee, Councillor Kathleen Robertson and Councillor Neil McLennan played some high notes these past weeks. They both have a musical interest and support music across Scotland. Cllr McLennan sits on the board of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Cllr Robertson is Acting Chair of Forres Pipe Band and Moray Pipes and Drums Tuition Scheme.
In the past weeks Moray Council have passed motions which advance music education in the area.
Cllr Neil McLennan (Buckie) said “Scottish Government decisions inhibited music learning some years ago. A powerful and passionate campaign from Ralph Riddiough, Nicola Benedetti and others nationally and locally saw the profile of importance of music education promoted and protected in some ways. It is now vital that Scottish Government, if it wishes to keep a Broad General Education and meet what young people are entitled to as enshrined in Curriculum for Excellence. Government funding for arts and culture education must continue annually. The arts are what makes us human and music helps us academically, culturally as well as enhancing our wellbeing.”
Cllr Kathleen Robertson (Forres) said “A motion was presented by previous members, George Alexander and Lorna Creswell which resulted in a parental survey after a petition was raised by the late Chairman of Moray Pipes and Drums, Mr John Channon. It is a fitting legacy to see the first steps of potentially introducing pipes and drums to all our young people through the widening of the school instrumental tuition in Moray Schools. Also, at a time when mental health and wellbeing is such an issue allowing the benefits of music tuition to a wider audience can only be a positive result.”
