As we reported during live coverage of the Cabinet meeting a couple of weeks ago, a huge chunk of funding is due to be cut from the Island Music Service leaving the normal £105,000 budget at just £13,000 for the year.
The decision to slash the budget is expected to be rubber stamped tonight at the Full Council meeting.
In the County Press this week, former head of the Music Service, Neil Courtney had much to say about the situation.
He ended his wise words for the council with this message …
“History shows that once you lose a high-quality music service, it is extremely hard to build back up again,”
We hope that Isle of Wight Councillors will take note of his cautionary words and appreciate the huge impact that the massive cut in funding to the Island Music Service will have.
Phenomenal Growth in Live Music on the Wight
Helped by the residence of Bestival and IW Festival, the Isle of Wight is fast making a name for itself on the music scene. The explosion of bands and live music over the last ten years has been phenomenal.
The kids learning brass, strings, wind and percussion in schools today could be the musical success stories of tomorrow.
The likes of Capo Regime, The Bees and Jackson Analogue have brought huge attention to the Island and we’re guessing that they might not be where they were if they hadn’t been encouraged and helped at school.
We realise that in times of difficulty cutbacks have to be made, but we’d urge the Isle of Wight Council to think again on this one and avoid being instrumental (no pun intended) in destroying the musical future of the Island.
Read the CP article in full
Image: L.Marie
