A major new report by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), A New Era for Orchestral Music, polled 850 children aged between 6 and 16, and showed the number of children aged between 10 and 14 who said they were no longer interested in learning a musical instrument quadrupled to 16 per cent, compared to just 4 per cent of Under-10s.
James Williams, director of the RPO, says these figures “underline the work that needs to be done to support young musicians and at a crucial age. Wherever possible, music needs to stay on the school curriculum but, more fundamental than that, teenagers need reassurance that music matters.”
