Lament as our world renowned Music School faces closure

 “It is unacceptable for families whose worlds have been turned upside by discovering overnight that their school may disappear.  It is crucial that parents’ and pupils’ voices are heard before any decisions are taken.” – Green Cllr Clare Miller

Edinburgh’s Green MSPs and councillors have reacted angrily to a proposal by the SNP-Labour-run city council to close the renowned City of Edinburgh Music School based at Broughton HIgh School.

Andy Wightman MSP says that while he recognises the serious funding challenges facing the council, he could see no sense in the proposal from an educational point of view. Claire Miller, a Green councillor and member of the council’s finance committee, says parents and pupils must have their say before any final decision.

Lothian MSP Andy Wightman said: “I am utterly opposed to this proposal. It makes no sense from an educational point of view and represents a substantial cut in music tuition across the city. I recognise that local government is facing serious funding challenges and that is why, at Holyrood, I am arguing for more resource and for greater fiscal autonomy for councils.

“Closing one of Scotland’s national centres of excellence in the arts is indefensible and I will work with our team of Green councillors to do everything I can to make sure parents’ and pupils’ voices are heard before any decisions are taken.”

Green member of Edinburgh’s finance committee Cllr Claire Miller supported Thursday’s committee decision to delay the budget consultation by 11 days.

Cllr Miller said: “The council administration was seeking approval to consult on £21m of potential budget cuts with only a bare single line describing each cut and leaving it unclear what the actual cut was.  That’s close to asking opposition members to sign off a blank cheque and is no way to run public services. By delaying 11 days, the full detail can be available before the consultation is signed off.”

Cllr Miller added: “It is unacceptable for families whose worlds have been turned upside by discovering overnight that their school may disappear.  It is crucial that parents’ and pupils’ voices are heard before any decisions are taken.”

Tudor Morris, the school’s highly-regarded Director of Music, said on the music school’s website: “Nowhere else in Europe is there a school in the maintained sector which offers a complete specialist music programme from primary to secondary level in two neighbouring centres. The happy association with Flora Stevenson Primary School ensures the musical development of our students from an early age within a caring and sensitive framework.

“The intensive training – involving regular practice, various ensembles and individual expert tuition from the most talented and dedicated teachers in the land – paves the way for our students to secure positions in some of the most prestigious colleges, universities, ensembles, orchestras and media organisations in the world.

“Also unique is the commitment to all styles of music.”

The Music School is to hold an Open Day next Saturday, an event planned before the announcement of potential closure.