A friend of mine is treasurer of a small local choir which has just lost 1,000 pounds a year in funding. The loss of that sum forces the organisation to choose whether to support its established adult group or its developing kids' choir. It's a sure thing that many other local music organisations face the same problem. Like all arts groups these days. There's little money to be had from local authorities or from charities and less and less support from Creative Scotland. And if you don't get kids into the arts at an early age, you're finished. And we know the will to learn music is there among young people: just look at the success of the Raploch's Big Noise, where young Scots musicians played concerts this summer alongside their Venezuelan mentors and could be off to Venezuela next year to take part in more concerts.
Speaking of the will: I'm sure I'm not the only person who's totally impressed by Nicola Benedetti.
Like everyone else, I've been watching her career develop since she was 15. I've heard her play live. I've seen her on TV and in newspapers. She is instantly recognisable for her skill, her ready smile - and her absolute focus on what she's doing. She's a wonderful musician who is also an advocate for the educational benefits of classical music to young people and is staunchly loyal to Scotland.
We're good in Scotland at exporting our best people. It would be great if we could find a national role for Nicola, possibly in expanding the Big Noise to other areas of the country.
Given the way music education is being hit by cuts, we need all the help we can get - and the appointment of Nicola Benedetti as a national ambassador for music in Scotland would be a good place to start.
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