Why Music?
We are delighted to be working with colleagues at Wiltshire Music Connect to create a range of customised resources to explain why music matters to children and young people.
On this page:
Most people know that music is a ‘good thing’. Research proves again and again that it is so important to children and young people’s lives and futures. Why? Because music education …
- increases confidence and self-esteem – which has a knock-on effect in all areas of their life and learning
- improves health and wellbeing – reducing stress, increasing a sense of wellbeing and happiness
- provides important life and social skills – such as listening, concentration, working as a team
- develops creativity and self-expression – helping young people to think differently and develop their power of imagination
- improves cognition, literacy and numeracy – recent neuroscience research has shown that children who learn an instrument have higher levels of cognitive capacity, specifically in their language acquisition and numerical problem-solving skills
- can be the key to unlocking potential – particularly for young people who are strongly creative, or who struggle to engage with other areas of learning
Printable leaflets
Your child and music at transition
Tips for year 6 parents and carers from the team at Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs
Moving from primary to secondary school is a new adventure.
There’s a lot to think about: from uniform, to friendships, to new routines. Music lessons may be the last thing on your mind. Yet this is the best time for your child to either continue with their existing music lessons or take them up for the first time. They’ll grow in confidence and develop important life skills that will help them settle in. Sadly, it’s at this stage that some young people drop out of music lessons – and once they do, they may never return. That’s something they may regret for a lifetime.
To make sure this doesn’t happen to your child, we’ve put together a few tips.
What you can do
- If your child already has an instrumental/vocal tutor, ask them about lessons in secondary school
They may know which instrumental/vocal tutors teach at your child’s future secondary school. Many tutors know each other. If you’re keen to remain with your current tutor, ask them if they teach privately. - If they don’t, now’s a great time to consider learning. Ask about music at your secondary school parents evening or open day
Often the head of music/performing arts, music teacher/s, or instrumental/vocal tutors will be on hand to answer any questions. If cost is a concern, you can ask the school about any subsidies available for lessons and whether they also access our bursary and instrument hire schemes. - Look for the music lesson information in your child’s induction pack
Schools will usually ask you to sign up for music lessons the term before they start secondary school. Leaving it too late may mean there are no spaces left or your child is allocated lessons in their second or third choice of instrument. Make sure to sign up as soon as possible. - What if lessons on offer aren’t appealing?
Schools can’t cater for everyone’s preferences, but it’s important that there’s something that could spark your child’s interest. If what’s on offer at school isn’t appealing, tell the school. Chances are that other pupils are feeling the same. - Find out about other opportunities to learn and make music through school, within and outside the curriculum
Ask at parents evening about how often curriculum music takes place, and for how long. Ask about other opportunities like lunchtime or after-school clubs, performances, links with other organisations like local music centres, festivals, or groups/ensembles. Sign up for our Hubdates for local, regional and national opportunities. - Ask if they know about support for schools from the Hub
We support over 90% of Devon and Torbay schools with one or more of the following:- Advice and support from a dedicated local Music Development Lead
- Delegated Music Education Grant (MEG) funding for each school
- Instrumental and vocal tuition bursaries
- Fully funded access to instruments and award- winning digital resources
- An extensive range of live music events and workshops
- Regular conference, training and networking opportunities for the music education workforce
Supporting your child in music: an investment in unlocking their potential
Most people know that music is a ‘good thing’. Research proves again and again that it is so important to children and young people’s lives and futures.
Why? Because music education …
- increases confidence and self-esteem
which has a knock-on effect in all areas of their life and learning - improves health and wellbeing
reducing stress, increasing a sense of wellbeing and happiness - provides important life and social skills
such as listening, concentration, working as a team - develops creativity and self-expression
helping young people to think differently and develop their power of imagination - improves cognition, literacy and numeracy
recent neuroscience research has shown that children who learn an instrument have higher levels of cognitive capacity, specifically in their language acquisition and numerical problem solving skills - can be the key to unlocking potential
particularly for young people who are strongly creative, or who struggle to engage with other areas of learning
Careers in the music industry: a guide for young people, parents/carers
Facts, figures and where to find out more
If you love music, there are all sorts of ways you can make a living from it – whether that’s full or part-time.
Most musicians know that getting a record deal isn’t the only route into the industry. Instead, they earn money in a variety of ways. And if you don’t want to be a musician, there are many other options you could consider. In fact, it’s likely that you’ll end up doing several of these things, in what’s known as a ‘portfolio career’.
How could I earn money as a musician?
- School music teacher
- Private music teacher
- Session musician
- Backing musician
- Community musician
- Orchestral musician
- Music leader
- Musical Director
- Paid gigs
- Music streaming
- Merchandise
- Composer /songwriter /sonic artist
- Music downloads
- Records /CDs
How else might I earn money in the music industry?
- Music Trad Association
- A&R manager
- Advertising representative
- Insurance manager
- Concert promoter
- Music PR
- Lecturer
- Booking agent
- Instrument manufacturer
- Blogger
- Product licensor
- Press agent
- Stage manager
- Music publisher
- Music journalist
- Composer manager
- Brand manager
- Composer
- PR manager
- Field merchandiser
- Film /TV /Games
- Digital print manager
- Radio producer
- Rights manager
- Lawyer
- Marketing representative
- Lighting designer
- Recording maintenance engineer
- Producer
- Live sound engineer
- Music store manager /worker
- Sync manager
- Accountant
- Technical crew
Where could I work?
Anywhere! Nowadays, you don’t have to head to London. In fact, many people are creating and growing their own regional music businesses and communities. And high speed broadband makes it even easier to work from any location.
Myths busted
It’s a risky business: there’s no future in it
- Actually, following a dip in the numbers caused by the pandemic, the music industry in the UK is now growing rapidly again
- UK music industry’s contribution to the UK economy in 2021 was £4 billion
- Employment in the music industry rose to 145,000 jobs in 2021
- Exports in the sector rose in 2021 to £2.5 billion
You need a record deal or you’ll never make any money
More and more musicians are taking their careers into their own hands, by recording and producing their own music, streaming and sharing their work and booking their own gigs. Many supplement this income with other jobs in the industry too.
There’s no solid training pathway
Nowadays, there are apprenticeships, internships, qualifications, and training (including online) for a variety of careers in the industry – see below.
You’re limiting your options going into such a narrow field
The music industry provides a wide range of potential careers – see above!
Where can I find out more?
- The UK Music Careers Information Pack
- Musicians Union
- Creative careers & training information
- Apprenticeships
- Vocational training
- Online business/marketing training for musicians
- Music teaching, community music, youth music