Music Mark is a membership organisation and charity which consists of music education services and hubs. Today they have released a statement addressing the restrictions still placed on singing and performing, and calling for the government to take action.
This follows last week's announcement of the government’s delay to the COVID–19 roadmap in England, and public reports on the restrictions from key organisations including LIVE, ISM and the MU. The MU has also lobbied for the return of live music with their ‘Invest In Musicians’ call to the government.
Music Mark's statement says:
Music teachers in and out of the classroom have worked tirelessly to ensure pupils can reap the benefits of musical learning as well as develop and progress their skills in the subject academically and practically. But many of the music tutors who are employed to provide instrumental teaching services are also gigging musicians.
Therefore the impact of the ongoing pandemic and a delay to fully reopening cultural activities – which is being reported by a number of key organisations such as LIVE (the voice of the live music entertainment business), the ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) and the MU (Musicians Union) – is also having an effect on the music education sector. Musicians need to earn a living and without the gigs which form part of that living for those who have successfully created a portfolio career, we are seeing many in our teaching workforce having to leave the profession.
Music Mark therefore supports the ongoing pressure these and other organisations are putting on the government to think carefully about the music industry and how they will ensure our world class musicians – performers AND teachers – can do their jobs! We fully understand the need for caution as new variants take hold, but like many in the cultural sector we do not understand why full capacity sporting events can and are taking place, but there are ongoing restrictions for our sector.
The impact of these restrictions is significant and increasing. The research is clear; the risks of singing and performing are not as serious as was initially thought, but the benefits of music and the wider arts are considerable. To rebuild communities, save jobs, and ensure the world class status of our music industry is perpetuated, the government must identify ways to accelerate the full reopening of performance venues and festivals.
To read the full statement go to their website.
