The council are due to meet at 11:00 am on 12 February to debate the decision to withdraw all musical instrument tuition in its schools – bar for children who are studying for Higher or National Five exams in the subject.
The Musicians’ Union (MU) responded with anger to this decision when it was originally announced. Members are now urged to join in the protest organised by school students in the region.
The flash mob will meet from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Tuesday 12 February, 40 - 46 Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1DN.
Attendees are encouraged to bring along their instruments and play. There will be pupils from local schools playing, as well as support from bands and ensembles in the area.
MU Regional Organiser Caroline Sewell expressed her grave concerns after Midlothian Council’s announcement last week:
“This is devastating for the cultural future of the area, the instrumental teachers especially, as three-quarters are set to lose their post under these proposals, and of course for the children who are set to lose a vital opportunity to learn an instrument purely because of their postcode.”
More information can be found on the Save Midlothian Music Twitter account.