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MU EC Member Speaks to BBC News Following Keir Starmer’s Commitment to Music Education

MU Executive Committee member Andi Hopgood spoke to BBC News following Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour Party Conference, explaining how “it’s important to think of the education of our young people as a holistic thing.”

Published: 05 October 2021 | 11:28 AM Updated: 07 March 2022 | 11:46 AM
Photograph of Keir Starmer speaking at the Labour Conference, against a
“The right for every child to learn an instrument is something I'm very passionate about, and at the MU we're very passionate about our industry in the future.” Photo credit: Shutterstock

The leader’s speech included a commitment to music education, saying “We want every child to get the chance to play an instrument,” and emphasising the importance of music and arts subjects in state schools.

Reflecting on the Labour leader’s speech, Andi told BBC News, “I was really excited to hear music mentioned. We're on the agenda.”

“Music education is something that has kind of been decimated over the last 10 years. And it's important to think of the education of our young people as a holistic thing, tagging into the mental health and wellbeing agenda he was also talking about,” she said.

The right for every child to learn an instrument is something I'm very passionate about, and at the MU we're very passionate about our industry in the future.

“The music industry relies on those people coming through and with cuts to Higher Education, it’s all kind of looking bad for us. So it’s very exciting to hear him speak about the music industry, speak about education and the future of the country,” Andi added.

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