Research conducted by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra revealed that 85 percent are keen to make music a part of their education. He also revealed that children’s access to music is vital to the development of greater inclusion and equality across society.
The national survey of 1,000 schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 18 listed the top 10 instruments children would like to play.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the piano, guitar, and drums were the most popular instruments, but the majority (62 percent) considered a musical instrument more likely in the orchestra than in the pop group.
Depending on the choices of elementary school pupils, future orchestras will look very different – with plenty of drums, recorders, piano and ukulele but few trumpets, trombone or cello.
The trombone was the most unloved instrument, despite its use by music legends such as Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.
Interest in learning a musical instrument was great in all regions. The attractiveness of orchestral instruments peaked at 82 percent in London and 66 percent in Yorkshire, the Humber and eastern England.
Interest was above average for children from low-income homes (88 percent) or in single-parent families (87) and for children with disabilities (92).
Although there are many large concert halls in the cities, the attractiveness of learning a musical instrument was high in the hinterland (84).
Industry bodies have broadly welcomed the national plan for music education unveiled by ministers last month, but most insist it is “only the beginning” to get around the faltering topic.
The Strike A Chord campaign wants to change music education after it was found that free or subsidized lessons from many public schools had disappeared.
A-level music numbers have almost halved since 2010.
Children’s interest in learning a musical instrument falls from 90 to 58 percent between the ages of 11 and 17. For orchestral instruments, the falls were more severe—70 to 30 percent at six years. James Williams, Managing Director of Royal Philharmonic said: “We are excited about music’s ability to create a more equal and inclusive society, but this begins in the classroom.
“Children from diverse backgrounds should be given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and discover genre.
“The recent pledge by the government to invest several million pounds in music education was a step in the direction but one that will affect tens of thousands of students rather than millions.
“We need to see music taken more seriously as a GCSE and A-level subject and for children from all regions and backgrounds to have the same opportunities. Talent must be nurtured for the residents of tomorrow’s orchestras, and we must never forget that music is one of the greatest commercial exports for Britain”.
Top 10 machines kids want to learn
- piano 33%
- guitar 29%
- drums 23%
- registered 11%
- violin 10%
- bass guitar 9%
- ukulele 8%
- Flute 7%
- saxophone 6%
- Trumpet 5%
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