20-year-old East Cowes resident, Richard Hall, is the Organ Scholar at King’s College, London where he is studying music.
Richard credits the Isle of Wight Music Service and its teachers for providing him affordable tuition and a path to university. He talks about how invaluable the Music Service is to Island children who don’t choose careers in music. Ed
I moved to the Isle of Wight as a young teenager. Showing little but average academic promise, I was somewhat indifferent to my studies at school and, as is so common in young teenagers, harboured little ambition, direction or motivation. Not only were my grades unremarkable, but I was also becoming disruptive in classes.
Now, having gained three A levels at A* grade, I am studying for a degree in Music at King’s College, London – where I am the Organ Scholar – and at the Royal Academy of Music.
Using musical education to fund my degree
I also teach in the Music Department of Hill House International School, Sloane Square and am the Director of Music at St. Agnes Church, Kennington Park.
I am using the musical education I received on the Isle of Wight to fund my way through my degree, freeing myself and my parents from the financial burdens and elitism that currently characterise higher education for so many people in the UK.
Music Service played a major role in my education
As a young musician, I have had the privilege of travelling much of Europe and broadcasting live on BBC Radio 3, performing alongside internationally acclaimed musicians and raising money for numerous charities, many of them Island-based.
I strongly believe that the Isle of Wight Music Service played a major role in helping me through the most critical stages of my education.
Saturday morning workshops vital
Nationally acclaimed as a centre of musical excellence, the Island Music Service teaches its pupils well. It develops the skills taught in lessons through Saturday morning workshops, where children and young people rehearse in ensembles, orchestras, jazz bands, brass bands.
It is here that children really begin learning what being a musician is all about. It is here that the focus and determination, coordination and physical discipline required to learn an instrument well are rewarded; that the communication skills gained through learning the world’s most universal language – one that relies on few words, but rather acute listening and body language – are learned.
Building confidence
It is here that children learn to become comfortable with artistic self-expression, gain confidence in performing in front of large audiences and develop the skills needed to cope in the high stress situations of music exams and live performances.
All these skills and experiences are invaluable for young people and can be applied to all areas of study. As a result, many Island music students perform exceptionally well at school and go onto study at the world’s top Universities, often in subjects far removed from music – Medicine, Law, English, Science and Maths”¦ or they snap up jobs straight after leaving school.
Please consider the consequences
I strongly urge the Isle of Wight Council to consider very carefully the consequences of making the proposed changes to the Music Service and the detrimental impact such changes will have on the education of the Island’s young people.
The Isle of Wight Music Service is national gem and a beacon of education; in a time of financial difficulty, it is surely wise for the Island to play to its strengths and encourage as broad an education as possible for its young people.
Maths, English and Science count for a lot, but the loss of cutting music from education is only ever felt once it is too late.
Richard Hall
