Perth Youth Orchestra has welcomed the added voice of the International Perth Festival of the Arts as it joined with other local arts organisations, and young musicians, to call for Perth and Kinross Council to reverse its decision to cut the Instrumental Music Service. In an article on the PFA website the Festival spoke out in support of the grassroots that provide the artists of the future criticising the cuts as short sighted and “having wide-ranging negative impacts of the cuts on opportunities for young people.“
Eric Scott, President of Perth Youth Orchestra explained: “As parents and organisations who support opportunities for young musicians locally, we have spent the past year advocating for the IMS and challenging these cuts. We are calling for all political parties in the Council to revisit and reverse this decision. We believe the impacts on the service and outcomes for young people were not made clear to Councillors at the point of the decision-making, and that this issue needs to be urgently revisited.”
“We can already see the negative impact of the agreed savings. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request made to the Council has shown that, by 29 October 2024, participation in Central Groups had already reduced in the 2024/25 year to 382, down from 500 the previous year. Participation had been climbing steadily since the music groups restarted post-COVID, but this year’s figures show a sharp decline, meaning young people are missing out on critical opportunities in their music education and development.”
The FOI also confirmed that since February 2024, IMS tuition has already been partially withdrawn from 4 primary schools and fully withdrawn from 8 local primary schools, including many in the Carse of Gowrie ward and other areas such as Letham.
Eric continued: “It is our understanding that retiring staff in 2024 have not been replaced due to the savings pressures; this has already resulted in an inequality of provision in Perth & Kinross, with areas such as the Carse of Gowrie adversely affected.”
Young musicians in Perth & Kinross have taken a stand against devastating cuts to the Instrumental Music Service (IMS), which threaten access to music education for hundreds of children. Led by Eva Seba, they have gathered over 5,000 signatures in a petition urging Perth & Kinross Council to reverse the decision.
These cuts—totalling £227,000 over three years—have already resulted in fewer music instructors, new fees for Central Music Groups and Music Camps, and the withdrawal of IMS tuition from several primary schools. A Freedom of Information request has confirmed a worrying drop in participation, with numbers in Central Groups falling sharply since these charges were introduced.
Music changes lives. It nurtures confidence, discipline, and creativity. Yet, opportunities for young musicians are being stripped away without proper consultation. Alongside other local music organisations, Perth Youth Orchestra is calling on the Council to reverse these cuts before more young people miss out.
How can you help?
If you believe every child deserves the chance to play, please contact your local Councillor today and urge them to restore funding for instrumental music. Let’s stand together and ensure that music remains at the heart of our community.