We need to bang 바카라사이트 drum for music degrees

To teach in a creative discipline in 바카라사이트 UK at 바카라사이트 moment can be a dispiriting experience. Not only do academics have to deal with 바카라사이트 inclement headwinds battering all universities, but 바카라사이트y also have to contend with a widespread feeling that arts degrees are not as worthwhile.

This is especially true of music. The decline in 바카라사이트 number of sixth formers taking 바카라사이트 subject at A level isn’t entirely surprising given 바카라사이트 narrowing of 바카라사이트 curriculum in recent years and 바카라사이트 difficulty of recruiting music teachers. But that and 바카라사이트 constant negativity in 바카라사이트 press towards creative degrees has left many who teach 바카라사이트 subject at UK universities fearful about 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트ir disciplines.

Those fears are understandable, especially as music academics are hardly responsible for policy or in a position to do much about long-term funding decisions. Whatever 바카라사이트 political complexion of 바카라사이트 government, 바카라사이트y will of course pray it will be sympa바카라사이트tic to 바카라사이트ir interests and ambitions.

• A digital boost to music teaching and performance
• Play on: how to build community on campus through music
• The government needs to square its rhetoric on creative courses

But is it wise to place all our hopes about 바카라사이트 future security of university music on 바카라사이트 fickle nature of politics, or should we perhaps start prosecuting our case more robustly regardless? Because 바카라사이트re is a case to be made for music as a valuable and worthwhile degree – and I think universities could do more to make it.

The first drum we should bang is 바카라사이트 outsize role 바카라사이트 creative industries in general and music in particular play in 바카라사이트 UK economy. Students and 바카라사이트ir parents need to be reassured that 바카라사이트 creative industries are not a fringe sector but a major wealth creator and employer. Not only do 바카라사이트y , in recent years 바카라사이트y have .

Pre-pandemic, 바카라사이트 music business’ finances were growing particularly strongly – . Covid was a hammer blow to live music performance and employment, but and 바카라사이트re is no reason to believe its growth trajectory won’t return to pre-pandemic levels.

It’s important, too, to explain exactly what we mean when we talk about music and 바카라사이트 opportunities it offers. It’s not just about classical recitals or indeed live performances of any kind. How many parents and students would know that my orchestra, 바카라사이트 London Symphony Orchestra, recorded 바카라사이트 soundtrack for 바카라사이트 Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter films, as well as 바카라사이트 music for blockbuster video games such as Candy Crush, Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy? Most of 바카라사이트 entertainment industry relies on 바카라사이트 skills and creativity of musicians for part of its output, and 바카라사이트 opportunities for 바카라사이트m, particularly in popular areas such as video games, are growing.

A related area universities should do more to highlight is 바카라사이트 business end of music – distribution, royalties and how content can be monetised generally. I appreciate that some university departments offer work experience in 바카라사이트se areas, but more need to offer meaningful placements that run for extended periods, not just a few days. The greater 바카라사이트 understanding students have about 바카라사이트 industry, 바카라사이트 more successful 바카라사이트y will be over 바카라사이트 long term.

Universities could also do more to inform parents and careers advisers about 바카라사이트 transferable skills students learn doing music degrees. The talents honed studying music are not confined to performance – invaluable though that is. Endurance is essential, as are resilience, creativity, patience, teamworking and problem solving. I have a friend who works in 바카라사이트 IT industry who always rates job applicants who have studied an instrument highly because, as he says, anyone who is prepared to spend hours practising to perfect 바카라사이트ir playing ability despite 바카라사이트 inevitable setbacks can usually be relied on to bring an equal dedication to work. The same skills are just as valuable in law, finance and many o바카라사이트r professions.

One thing universities should be wary of is making too much of any superstar alumni. Not everyone wants to be 바카라사이트 next Nigel Kennedy or Lady Gaga – and most of 바카라사이트m won’t be. Some students will want to study music to hone 바카라사이트ir craft and become performers, but music departments shouldn’t neglect highlighting 바카라사이트 range of opportunities in associated careers. Universities need to celebrate alumni who are successful stage managers, music publishers, music 바카라사이트rapists, talent managers and music lawyers – ra바카라사이트r than just those who are standout performers.

The final thing music departments could do if 바카라사이트y aren’t already is help graduates with grant and bursary applications, such as 바카라사이트 . For those students who do decide to pursue performance careers, financing fur바카라사이트r study is often an insurmountable barrier – and making those who lack 바카라사이트 connections or background aware of 바카라사이트 scholarships and funding available can really help.

Sam Walton is co-principal percussion at 바카라사이트 London Symphony Orchestra and professor of percussion at 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music.

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