Orchestras Live Trustee, Caroline Maurice, reflects on the value of music education

At pivotal moments in my life, both positive and negative, I have found orchestral music a source of much comfort, solace, hope and joy.

As a parent I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to experience the power of music – in whatever genre resonated with them.

The guitar – electric, bass, classical, and the drum kit – is their choice; the harp is mine.

School offers music lessons in a range of instruments but the school concert demonstrates what’s popular in terms of choice of instrument – and it is not orchestral.

Today’s influences and influencers promote today’s culture – but does that matter? If kids experience creativity, collaboration, teamwork, and, of course, the joy of making music, does it matter whether it is in a percussion ensemble or a jazz band - as opposed to a violin quartet?

What concerns me, though, is the lack of exposure or opportunity that kids have to orchestral music. This is why my role as a trustee of Orchestras Live - whose mission is to promote / introduce orchestral music to communities that do not have such an opportunity - is so important to me.

The feedback from Orchestras Live events frequently cites the joy and wonderment that orchestral music can induce. However, without exposure to orchestral musical, it is little wonder that schools – which are woefully underfunded in the performing arts - don’t get the uptake in orchestral instruments, and, from there it becomes a vicious downward circle.

For orchestral music to become more accessible, particularly for children, we need diverse role models in the music industry for them to follow. To achieve this, kids need more exposure to orchestral music and a more engaging concert format within schools and in venues.

For schools to produce well-rounded individuals ready to enter society, they should be looking to nurture the whole person, and that includes the opportunity for creativity through music. Orchestras Live and its partners as well as today’s influencers, I believe, all have a vital role in hopefully bringing this about.