Endangered Species

The Music and Performing Arts Service has received funding from national charity Youth Music’s Endangered and Protected Species programme.

The programme is a £1million initiative that will put specific musical instruments into the hands of over 5,000 children and young people and aims to tackle the problem of the falling numbers of young people taking up, and continuing to play, six instruments - namely, the Bassoon, Double Bass, French Horn, Oboe, Trombone and Tuba/Euphonium. These instruments have become endangered for reasons of their cost, accessibility and, in some cases, their street-credibility amongst young people. Youth Music is set to change this with a series of educational events, image makeovers and the provision of over 2,000 new instruments.

Gavin Henderson, Chairman, Youth Music, said:

“The whole future of traditional music-making is at stake as orchestras are facing difficulties due to the lack of young, high quality, players of these instruments. Through this new programme Youth Music hopes to inspire children and young people to learn Endangered Species instruments and to also encourage a new generation of musicians".

The Endangered and Protected Species programme has been developed in collaboration with the Federation of Music Services in a direct response to their needs. Music Services across England could apply for up to 70% off the purchase price of instruments.

Rt Hon Estelle Morris, MP, Minister of the Arts said:

“Programmes such as Endangered and Protected Species are so important in making sure that all young people, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, have access to a broad range of musical experiences and the opportunity to learn an instrument that is right for them.”

Aware that simply investing in new instruments will not address the problem fully, Youth Music is providing training for music-leaders and encouraging musicians to consider a career in teaching. Importantly, it is asking Music Services to develop access and retention strategies to make sure that children and young people learning the instruments are well supported through their studies.

Following Youth Music research, the Protected Species part of the programme has been introduced to help improve the image of the instruments to today’s young people and to keep instruments in a good condition. Youth Music, specially designed, ‘cool’ gig-bags have been made available free to Music Services, for all types of instruments.

High profile musicians are supporting the initiative as Youth Music Ambassadors and will attend events, run workshops and give performances.

Included are Herbie Flowers, pop, rock and jazz double bass and tuba player; David Childs, given the title of International Euphonium Player of the Year at the age of eighteen, and Helen Simons, one of a few female bassoonists and a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins is also involved, who honed his talent performing with the legendary jazz big band, The Jazz Warriors, as is trombonist Roger Argente, who teaches at the Trinity College of Music. Daniel Smith, the world’s most recorded bassoon soloist, Martin Mayes, who plays jazz french horn with the Italian Instabile Orchestra, and oboist, Nicholas Daniel, a winner of the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year, complete the set.

Adding further zest and sparkle, Youth Music is developing educational games and competitions on its website to support and encourage children and young people to stay motivated when learning an Endangered Species instrument. One of these games is ‘Tubagotchi’, where instruments flourish if used in various activities such as practice sessions but become extinct if neglected.