Every single week, without fail, at primary school.
school
, we would sit cross-legged on the classroom floor in a circle, holding a recorder.
The ear-splitting sound of Three Blind Mice (or something akin to it) would fill the room for a good 20 minutes thereafter, until we were all out of puff from blowing into the plastic instrument.
It’s odd to reflect on now, but for most of us
80s
and
90s kids
, the unassuming recorder would have been our initial introduction to
music
And it probably influenced some of us.
classmates
to proceed with playing the trumpet, violin, or piano.
However, in a shocking twist, it appears this beloved childhood favorite might be facing extinction in educational institutions.
Research conducted by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) reveals that the number of students learning to play the recorder at school has decreased by nearly half over the past ten years.
In 2014, 28% of primary school students played the recorder; however, this number has dropped to just 16% currently, indicating that only one out of every six children learns to play it nowadays.
Rather than that, young people nowadays are mostly learning to play hits such as “London’s Burning” on ukuleles or guitars instead.
The survey of 1,000 children aged between five and 17 similarly uncovered that the number of pupils who engaged in singing was
school
Has reduced over the past decade, declining from 66% to 54%.
Although the recorder may no longer be a beloved choice and has been deemed one of the most ‘abandoned’ instruments, several others have recently gained more traction.
Beyond the school setting, when it comes to individual music tuition, the piano continues to be the top pick among students, closely trailed by the electric guitar, drums, flute, and violin.
The percentage of children strumming electric guitars increased from 13% in 2014 to 17% presently, whereas the count of youngsters blowing into flutes has nearly tripled, jumping from 7% to 15%.
Most notably, 84% of youth indicated that participating in, studying, and interacting with music played a crucial role in maintaining their mental well-being. However, it was observed that there is a significant decline in students learning music from ages 12 to 15—a period most of us recognize as particularly challenging.
For others, this shift was attributed to the expense of music lessons – identified as a ‘barrier’ stopping 29% of children from taking up any musical instruments whatsoever.
This is something singer-songwriter
Ed Sheeran
Has lately spoken out strongly, penning a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to establish £250 million in funding for musical education in schools and youth organizations.
In his letter as part of the Ed Sheeran Foundation’s Protect & Grow Music Education initiative, he stated: “Playing an instrument and performing onstage—whether at school or through a community group—is currently beyond financial reach for many children.”
He subsequently requested the government to allocate funds for music similar to those provided for sports, and urged for an increase in the number of trained music educators.
Regarding the study, ABRSM CEO Chris Cobb mentioned: “For the initial experience of playing an instrument in big groups, children often use recorders. These have proven quite effective; however, educational institutions are exploring alternative options like the ukulele and acoustic guitar as well. Vocal performance remains a crucial element in ensemble music education.”
He went on: “The advantages of music for mental well-being are incredibly significant, particularly now when psychological disorders are so prevalent. However, there are numerous additional perks as well. The sorrow lies in the fact that studies also reveal how adolescents lose interest in musical education, both during their transition to secondary school and when they begin their GCSEs.”
‘The challenge before each of us is how we can assist schools and their surrounding communities to ensure young individuals keep enjoying the advantages of music.’
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