Guitar Retailer PMT MD Speaks Out Against Government
Managing director of UK guitar shop retailer PMT, Simon Gilson has joined the fight against music teaching cuts in the UK, calling on Government to do more to assist the education sector. Gilson believes more must been to raise the standard of music education in the UK and the quality of equipment available to children. “This whole issue is very black and white to me; music education in the UK has lost its way,” said Gilson. “Playing, making and being involved in music and its many facets presented correctly is an all absorbing inspiration that can literally shape peoples entire lives.
“With the stresses and strains of the world we now live in and the ever changing expectations of what life will bring, this basic premise is more relevant than ever. I, and many like me, were the product of a system that promoted music from one extreme to the other, but whatever its form, the time, care and dedication it took to learn and perform has reflected through all aspects of life and interaction with others.
“So, on one side we have a system that has lost its direction and dedication. Then we turn to the equipment necessary to have a vibrant and ongoing musical education scene.
“In a nutshell the identification and procurement of musical equipment by government funded institutions is a farce. Officials who have no idea whatsoever about the quality or performance of various products blindly spending our tax money half the time for no good reason the other on rubbish that’s just not fit for purpose.”
Gilson will be in attendance at MIRC 2014 to connect with Channel 4’s Great Instrument Amnesty, a new series fronted by classical pianist, James Rhodes. Production company Fresh One will be filming the at the event as part of the new series, which is set to air at the end of the summer.
Rhodes, has been equally critical of the state of music education in the UK. He said: “Within the space of a generation, music education in this country has been decimated. Where once it was inclusive, widespread and available, it is now, sadly, seen as a luxury rather than a basic right. I am so thrilled to be working with Channel 4 to address this.
“Music has an undeniable, proven positive impact on self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, numeracy, behavioural problems and confidence. The fact that it has all but disappeared from the majority of our state schools is as shocking as it is appalling. This is potentially the most exciting and rewarding project I could ever hope to work on and, with the right support, it’s something that I hope will create lasting change.”