Music is a legal entitlement for all young people aged five-14 in England as it is a statutory subject within the national curriculum.
In addition the Government have, since 1999, provided funding to local authorities through the Standards Fund Music Grant to support local music provision. Since the Government’s pledge in 2001 that over time all primary pupils who wanted to should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, the widening of access to instrumental provision at Key Stage 2 has been a priority call on the Music Grant. Also, since 2006, there has also been an additional element to the grant solely for delivering local instrumental and vocal tuition to children at Key Stage 2. Some local authorities also make their own contribution to local music making.
Another important element of the Government’s £332 million commitment to music education 2008-11 is their support for the national singing programme, ‘Sing Up’. The programme, which receives £10 million a year, aims, by March 2011, to enable every primary school-aged child to take part in daily high-quality singing activity, and for all primary schools in England to become ‘Singing Schools’.
Over the current academic year, music is being celebrated through “Tune In—Year of Music”. The wide range of music related experiences available to children and young people across England will be showcased over the year, and all children—whatever their talent—are being encouraged to get involved in music.